What you're looking at here is a very special 2001 Aston Martin Vanquish. Not only was it used by Pierce Brosnan to promote the movie “Die Another Day” in 2002, but it was also literally the first car to drive down the M6 Toll Road to commemorate its opening in 2003. It's now up for auction, where it's expected to fetch between $65,000 and just over $90,000.
Technically, this isn't one of the hero cars used in the movie, where Bond drives a gadget-laden V12 Vanquish, equipped with cloaking technology, missile launchers, and other advanced weaponry. However, we can still call it a “Bond car” to some extent. Brosnan drove it, and it looks just like the car from the movie.
In case you're having trouble remembering the plot of Die Another Day, let's just say we totally get it. It wasn't one of the most critically acclaimed Bond films ever made. I think the plot involved North Korea and a rogue colonel, then somehow Bond ends up in a chase scene in Iceland on a frozen lake where missiles start flying.
Actually, it looks a lot like something we might see in a modern Fast & Furious movie, but I digress.
Those of you who are genuinely interested in the car will be interested to know that the sale will take place on Wednesday 9th October at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, courtesy of H&H Classics. This Vanquish, which also briefly sported the ‘M16 SPY’ registration plate, has covered just 37,800 miles and began its life as one of seven Vanquish models retained by Aston Martin for press engagements.
Photo: H&H Classics
According to the advertisement, the car was then delivered to Pinewood Studios to be photographed with Pierce Brosnan and today it still looks as good as it did back then, some 22 years ago, when the studio was busy promoting “Die Another Day”.
What else is special about this Vanquish?
This first-generation model, designed by Ian Callum, made its debut at the NAIAS in January 1998, boasting a naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 engine (like the DB7). It produced 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, which would be enough to take you from zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, before maxing out at more than 190 mph (306 km/h).
At the time, this was described as the ultimate grand tourer, with its main rivals being the Ferrari 550 Maranello and its successor, the 575. I guess you could say both cars were movie stars, the latter having a major role in Bad Boy 2 and arguably getting more screen time and action than its British rival.