In January 1995 it was announced that in the next James Bond film, GoldenEye, Bond would be reunited with his Aston Martin from Goldfinger. Cue a new Corgi variant! Released as part of the Corgi Classics range, the new Aston Martin DB5 (96657) was simply the current model repackaged in a window box featuring GoldenEye with Pierce Brosnan as Bond taken from an early film teaser poster. For some reason, however, Corgi printed this picture of Brosnan in reverse!
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| Repackaged Goldeneye Aston Martin DB5 (96657 |
The prototype box carried Mattel’s name, which was later changed as when the car was eventually released in December 1995, Corgi were no longer part of Mattel.
1995 was a bumper year for Bond and Corgi fans alike, as not only did they have the DB5 back on the screen but Corgi also decided to reintroduce the original 1:43 scale model as a limited edition in two versions.
The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (96655) was available in silver, just the same as its 1968 counterpart (C270), complete with tyre slashers and revolving number plates. The detail is good, but not quite as crisp as the 30 year older version; the door line mouldings for instance stop short of the top of the door, unlike the original. It has real rubber tyres but does not have the words “Corgi Toys” moulded into them as the original did. The front number plate housing is also larger and the rear light cluster is painted red, amber & white while the original’s were all red. The base of the car has the words “Made in China” embossed and is silver and not grey as on the original.
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| Re-released 1968 1:43 scale model (96655) |
The secret instructions were reproduced and contained within a reproduction envelope just as back in 1968 although they are printed in silver and not red. With the instructions was found a spare baddie but no number plate stickers this time. The number plates were already in place but unlike the 1968 edition, these have remained faithful to the film. The box containing the car was even similar in style to the 1973 issue. The issue was limited to 29,000 pieces world wide and retailed for £19.99 when launched in December 1995. My model pictured above is model number 14,622 of 29,000.
The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (96656) was the second special edition released in December 1995, as a gold plated version of the silver 96655. It came mounted on a plastic plinth and within a clear plastic display box .. very nice.
The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (96656) was the second special edition released in December 1995, as a gold plated version of the silver 96655. It came mounted on a plastic plinth and within a clear plastic display box .. very nice.
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| 30th Anniversary Gold Release |
This issue was limited to a production run of 19,000 world wide and retailed for £24.99 when launched in December 1995. My model pictured left is model number 12,641 of 19,000 and was a surprise Christmas present from my wife.
In 1997 Corgi created a James Bond Collection 007 set of models and the DB5 was included. The Aston Martin DB5 & Oddjob (04201) model was 1:43 scale from the same mould as the 1995 models but was painted in metallic gold similar to the 1965 original rather than the gold plate of later limited editions. The DB5 is accompanied in the collectors box by a 54mm white metal figure of Oddjob, Bond’s adversary from the film Goldfinger.
In 1999 Corgi Classics returned with two releases, these were basically re-release of the 1995 1:36 standard silver model and the 1:43 gold plated special edition. The 1:36 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 was packaged in black and red with as in 1995 a picture of Brosnan as Bond but this time facing the correct way.
The 1:43 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (04202) was released for the 35th Anniversary of Goldfinger, and limited to 6,900 pieces. This differed slightly from the the earlier version, with the outer packaging being green/white/gold and the rear tyre slashers were in black plastic and the baddie was dressed in brown rather than his original blue suit.
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| 35th Anniversary Gold Release |
In 2001 the Definitive Collection arrived on the scene with the silver Goldfinger model (04305)
The gold plate 40th Anniversary Edition (CC004307) was released by Corgi in 2005. 12,000 1:36 scale pieces were produced. This model was also partnered with the release of the Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day, and also issued in the gold plate finish (CC007505).
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| 40th Anniversary Gold Release |
Sharing the same detailed diecast mould as the gold variant, Corgi produced a silver model as a special edition for Marks & Spencer. This model was released in a clear plastic display case, similar to that used by Matel in 1991/92, but replacing the badge of that era with a 007 leather key ring.
In 2007 Corgi released the Directors Cut versions of the Thunderball and Casino Royale DB5 models and the Sean Connery Limited Edition Era Set. This latter box set included a 1:36 scale Aston Martin DB5 and the Rolls Royce III Sedance de Ville from the film Goldfinger. Only 1,500 sets were produced worldwide and are a valuable addition to anyone’s collection.
