Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX Registration No: V12 CNBChassis No: SCFAC13352B500171MOT: April 2027 The first Vanquish built to EON approved “Bond Specification” and the only facsimilie of the Die Another Day hero cars The first Aston Martin to ever be painted in Tungsten Silver, a paint made specifically for James Bond star cars First registered as “V12 AML” and retained by Aston Martin as an official press demonstrator Signed by former CEO of Aston Martin, Dr Ulrich Bez and Director of Design at Aston Martin, Ian Callum Boasting an uprated Vanquish S clutch assembly carried out by RS Williams in 2017 A landmark model in Aston Martin’s history, the Vanquish MkI was unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Salon. Styled by Ian Callum and notable as his first ‘clean sheet’ design for the marque (as opposed to the DB7 which sat on a modified Jaguar platform), the newcomer featured a bonded composite aluminium chassis with carbon fibre backbone. Developed in conjunction with Lotus, the structure was equipped with all-round independent suspension and four-wheel, ventilated ABS disc brakes. A true Grand Tourer available in two-seater or 2+2-seater guises, the Vanquish was powered by a 6-litre V12 DOHC engine allied to automated six-speed manual transmission. With some 460bhp and 400lbft of torque on tap, the Fixed-Head Coupe was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 5 seconds and 190mph. Although it broke a lot of new ground, the Vanquish was also notable as the last Aston Martin to be handbuilt at Newport Pagnell, with just 1, 503 being completed before the arrival of the Vanquish ‘S’ in 2004. Die Another Day (2002) was the twentieth film in the James Bond movie series produced by Eon Productions. Directed by Lee Tamahori and produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the story had been penned by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade drawing on influences from Bond creator Ian Fleming’s novels Moonraker (1955) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1965). It was the fourth and final film starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and also the last to feature Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny. The movie marked the James Bond franchise’s 40th anniversary and includes references to each of the preceding films. In the film, after having his license to kill reinstated by M, Bond is equipped with his new car – the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (nicknamed the ‘Vanish’ due to its adaptive camouflage). Equipped with all the usual secret agent refinements including a cloaking device, which allowed it to become practically invisible at the push of a button, it featured heavily in the movie, especially during the Iceland segments in an elaborate chase with villain Zao’s Jaguar XKR. Despite reservations by some critics, mainly over its use of CGI, the film was nevertheless a box-office success and grossed $432 million worldwide. This notable Vanquish has the distinction of being the first car built to EON approved ‘Bond Specification’ and thus was the prototype/ lead production example of the Die Another Day Hero cars. Furthermore, it was the first Aston Martin ever to be painted in Tungsten Silver (a shade specifically designed and created by EON Productions and Aston Martin for Die Another Day). First registered as V12 AML it was also used as the official press demonstrator, the subsequent three chassis produced being the D. A. D Hero cars used in the movie. Essentially, it is the only factory-built facsimile of the three Bond cars, its importance being recognised by the fact it was subsequently retained by AML for their own use and marketing purposes. Today the car retains several rarities for the Vanquish; including the original umbrella, Aston Martin telephone, aluminium-backed owner’s book and a complete glovebox accessory kit. Signed by former CEO of Aston Martin, Dr Ulrich Bez and Director of Design at Aston Martin, Ian Callum, it further benefits from an uprated Vanquish S clutch assembly installed by RS Williams in 2017. Now appropriately registered V12 CNB, it is quite simply an Aston with wonderful pedigree and links to perhaps one of the greatest movie franchises in the history of world cinema. ** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply** Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2...
