Pre-production James Bond Aston Martin DB5 sells for £1,500

A possibly unique pre-production Corgi No. 261 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 from the film Goldfinger (seen to your right) was one of the star lots during Vectis' Auctions M and M Collection sale. Although a normally sought-after model that can make hundreds at auction, this particular example was unusual because it had a prototype clear resin roof above the famous ejector seat function.

Finished in gold, with a red interior, the model also had its original James Bond figure, criss-cross wheels, grey base with factory screw and was acquired from an employee who worked in the Corgi factory. Originally estimated at an impressive £800 - 1,200, the model went on to realise a superb £1,500.

However, this wasn't the only rare variation of Corgi's iconic vehicle because the sale also included a D5 that was finished in deep gloss gold, with red interior. Interestingly it was signed by Goldfinger star Shirley Eaton, who had written 'To Mitch with Love Shirley Eaton' on the base. Estimated at £300 - 500, it sold for £640. To put these super prices in context, the sale also included a good example of the standard issue DB5 in its original box and that realised £130.

Other tasty Bond morsels in the auction included (descriptions from Vectis): Corgi No.270 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 - silver, red interior with James Bond & Bandit figures, red tyre slashes, chrome bumper to front, light gold bumper to rear - numberplate decals applied otherwise excellent in good plus to excellent harder to find slim-line blue and yellow window box, comes with collectors club folded leaflet and a spare bandit figure only. Sold for £280.

Corgi No.391 James Bond Ford Mustang Mach1, red body, black plastic bonnet, white base and interior, spoked wheels. Excellent (apart from the usual small marks to door edges), in excellent orange and yellow window box with correct flash. Sold for £150.

Corgi No.GS22 James Bond Gift Set comprising of: Aston Martin DB5, silver, red, interior, gold front and rear bumpers, 4-spoke wheels; Lotus Esprit, white, black with "007" bonnet logo and Space Shuttle "Moonraker", white, black, orange, complete with satellite, comes with envelope containing missiles and bandit figure - overall condition is generally near mint to mint including inner plastic tray, outer striped window box is excellent (although does have some creasing around edges), still a nice bright example. Sold for £220.

Corgi No.336 James Bond Toyota 2000GT taken from the film You Only Live Twice - white body, black interior with Aki and James Bond figures, red plastic aerial, wire wheels - excellent, inner pictorial stand is good plus to excellent, still displays well, including blue and yellow carded picture box, comes with secret instruction pack containing folded leaflet and loose missiles only. Sold for £170.

Corgi No.269 James Bond Lotus Esprit taken from the film The Spy Who Loved Me - white, black, with "007" bonnet label. Near mint, inner pictorial stand is excellent plus, outer film strip window box with "hammer and sickle" logo is good plus to excellent (slight crushing to cellophane), still a bright example. Sold for £80.

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