Is James Bond's Dh48m Aston Martin DB5 in the Middle East?

The car, stolen in 1997, could be in the region, according to the company tracing it

Sean Connery with one of the two Aston Martin DB5 cars used in the filming of 'Goldfinger'. Rex

A piece of cinematic history thought lost for ever could be in the Middle East, according to reports in the UK about the disappearance of an Aston Martin DB5 used in the filming of a James Bond movie in the 1960s.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that a company tracing the 1964 model, one of two examples of the car driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, has been told that the car has been located in the region after it was stolen in 1997 from an airport hangar in Florida.

The car is estimated to be worth as much as £10 million (Dh48.7m); its owner originally paid $250,000 for it in 1986.

Christopher Marinello, the chief executive of Art Recovery International, told the newspaper: “I have been given a specific tip, but we are working on it. We want to reach out to collector car community and vast array of mechanics to let them know we are very serious about recovering it.

“As there are many Aston Martins, it is very important that we get a shot of the chassis number, dp/216/1. This is what we are looking for, as it is very specific to the vehicle. It is quite possible the potential in the Middle East is a mere lookalike, which is why it is crucial we retain a close up of the chassis number.”

The newspaper reports that a “six-figure sum” is being offered for information leading to its safe return – which would convert from British pounds to at least Dh487,359.

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