The Aston Martin DB5 was barely a new model at all. The car essentially was just an evolution of the DB4, and indeed it takes a serious expert to tell the difference between a Series V DB4 and a DB5 at a glance. But demand for the DB5 surged, and Aston was able to turn a profit for the first time in many years. In fact, the factory literally couldn't build them fast enough. This is due in a very large part to the car having appeared in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Since appearing in this film, the DB5 has generally been thought of as the classic Bond car, and has appeared in several more films, along with a large number of other AM models. It remains one of the most sought-after postwar classics in existence, and the one you see here is going up for auction next month. Even though this car is showing some wear (it was restored, but that was in 1988), it is still expected to go for as much as 700,000 Euros ($814,000 – a relatively weak euro might make this a good opportunity for American investors). But all history aside, it is an absolutely beautiful car, inside and out.