261 - James Bond's Aston Martin D.B.5

Arguably the most famous Corgi Toy ever produced, this feature packed model was rush-released just in time for 1965’s festive season. In only seven weeks Corgi sold three-quarters of a million of this marvellous model, causing stocks to completely run out by Christmas Day. Despite this huge number (it went on to sell just under four million!), fully-working mint condition examples in their original boxes are extremely rare and valuable today.

As to why the model was painted gold – unlike Bond’s silver DB5 in the movies – the story goes that Corgi bosses were concerned that the silver painted factory samples they were shown looked too much like 'base metal'. Any production delay would have meant the model not being in the shops in time for Christmas, so the quick decision was made to paint it in gold. The thinking was that gold would make the DB5 look more ‘special’ as a toy – a thought process no doubt influenced by the previous year's Bond movie, Goldfinger!

A silver version, Corgi 270, was eventually released in 1968, which coincided with the original gold Corgi 261 being deleted. It hasn't been faithfully replicated until now, making our Corgi Model Club edition something very special, especially as it comes in a perfect facsimile of the original box and packaging, complete with the much sought after ‘secret instructions’, a 007 lapel sticker and that all-important spare ‘baddie’!

Size: Length: 102mm Width: 35mm Height: 28mm (40mm with open roof)

Scale: 1:46

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