Roger Moore's 1970 Aston Martin DBS sells for $900k [w/video]
Tue, May 20 2014
The show starred Moore as Lord Brett Sinclair and Tony Curtis as American playboy Danny Wilde in a TV series that ran on both ITV in the UK and ABC in the US. It sadly only ran for one 24-episode season, but remains a cult classic. The series was as much about the cars as it was the stars, with Curtis speeding around Europe in a Ferrari 246 GT Dino and Moore in this yellow 1970 Aston Martin DBS. And it just sold at auction.
As Octane pointed out when it drove the car for its September 2013 issue, the car was loaned to the show's producers and, though it packs the 4.0-liter inline-six of the DBS, was fitted with the wheels and badges of the Aston Martin V8 that followed – just without the eight-cylinder engine. It was sold to a private owner after the show finished filming and then bounced around different owners before collector and enthusiast Mike Sanders bought it and subsequently sold it to one Ed Stratton. Ed brought it back to show spec, took it to Villa d'Este, had Moore and Curtis sign the inside of the trunk lid, and now put it up for auction.
The star of Bonhams' 15th annual sale at the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell this past weekend, the DBS sold for a record GBP533,500 – equivalent to almost $900k at today's rates – contributing to GBP8.7 million ($14.6m) in total sales that day. Find the press release below, along with a video of a pretty great scene from The Persuaders! with both Moore and Curtis.
ROGER MOORE'S 'THE PERSUADERS!' ASTON MARTIN SETS WORLD RECORD FOR A DBS SOLD AT AUCTION
17 May 2014, The Aston Martin Works Sale
In its 15th year Bonhams Aston Martin Works sale totals at GBP8.7 million Roger Moore's 'The Persuaders!' Aston Martin DBS sets world record for DBS sold at auction, selling for GBP533,500. Elsewhere 'Barn Find Corner' sells out, and a project car sells at four times its estimate totaling GBP393,500
In its 15th year, Bonhams annual auction at the Aston Martin Works totaled GBP8.7 million, selling over one hundred lots of collectable automobilia alongside almost 50 motor cars, the largest number Bonhams have ever had at the Aston Martin sale.
The top lot, a very rare DB6 Mark 2 Volante sold at GBP757,500. An unsurprisingly popular model from the marque, the Volante sold is one of only 21 examples built.
The famed 1970 Aston Martin DBS which starred in the hit British television series The Persuaders! held pride of place at the front of the auction hall, attracting immense interest from fans of the show and Aston Martin enthusiasts alike, selling at GBP533,500 and setting a new world record for an Aston Martin DBS sold at auction.
The famed DBS was specially modified specifically for its role in The Persuaders!, in which it featured prominently in almost all of the show's 24 episodes. Co-starring Roger Moore and Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, the car was arguably the third 'star' of the hit series, a motoring icon from the 70s.
Meanwhile, lot 216, the factory Vantage prototype 'DP217' 1963 Aston Martin DB5 project exceeded all expectations. Selling for GBP393,500 – over four times its highest estimate – as the gavel came down the closing bid was met with applause from the room.
James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said: "We've had glorious weather, excellent hospitality, and some truly stunning motorcars starring in today's auction.
"The sale has been one of surprise and delight. From selling a DB5 Sports Saloon project at four times its estimate, to setting world records with 'star' car, The Persuaders! Aston Martin DBS.
"As ever, in its 15th year the Aston Martin Works sale has been truly tremendous. After 15 years of running this sale we still continue to enjoy our very special partnership with Aston Martin, working collectively to deliver the right results for the brand and our clients."
Paul Spires, General Sales Manager at Aston Martin Works, said: "The Bonhams auction weekend has once again more than lived up to expectations. The uniquely sociable 'garden party' atmosphere certainly seems to have helped some of the 2,500 or so people who joined us here at Newport Pagnell take the plunge.
"With many exceptional sports cars sold, and bids coming in from right around the world, it's clear that Bonhams' Aston Martin Sale is, more than ever, a key fixture of the classic car world."
17 May 2014, The Aston Martin Works Sale
In its 15th year Bonhams Aston Martin Works sale totals at GBP8.7 million Roger Moore's 'The Persuaders!' Aston Martin DBS sets world record for DBS sold at auction, selling for GBP533,500. Elsewhere 'Barn Find Corner' sells out, and a project car sells at four times its estimate totaling GBP393,500
In its 15th year, Bonhams annual auction at the Aston Martin Works totaled GBP8.7 million, selling over one hundred lots of collectable automobilia alongside almost 50 motor cars, the largest number Bonhams have ever had at the Aston Martin sale.
The top lot, a very rare DB6 Mark 2 Volante sold at GBP757,500. An unsurprisingly popular model from the marque, the Volante sold is one of only 21 examples built.
The famed 1970 Aston Martin DBS which starred in the hit British television series The Persuaders! held pride of place at the front of the auction hall, attracting immense interest from fans of the show and Aston Martin enthusiasts alike, selling at GBP533,500 and setting a new world record for an Aston Martin DBS sold at auction.
The famed DBS was specially modified specifically for its role in The Persuaders!, in which it featured prominently in almost all of the show's 24 episodes. Co-starring Roger Moore and Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, the car was arguably the third 'star' of the hit series, a motoring icon from the 70s.
Meanwhile, lot 216, the factory Vantage prototype 'DP217' 1963 Aston Martin DB5 project exceeded all expectations. Selling for GBP393,500 – over four times its highest estimate – as the gavel came down the closing bid was met with applause from the room.
James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said: "We've had glorious weather, excellent hospitality, and some truly stunning motorcars starring in today's auction.
"The sale has been one of surprise and delight. From selling a DB5 Sports Saloon project at four times its estimate, to setting world records with 'star' car, The Persuaders! Aston Martin DBS.
"As ever, in its 15th year the Aston Martin Works sale has been truly tremendous. After 15 years of running this sale we still continue to enjoy our very special partnership with Aston Martin, working collectively to deliver the right results for the brand and our clients."
Paul Spires, General Sales Manager at Aston Martin Works, said: "The Bonhams auction weekend has once again more than lived up to expectations. The uniquely sociable 'garden party' atmosphere certainly seems to have helped some of the 2,500 or so people who joined us here at Newport Pagnell take the plunge.
"With many exceptional sports cars sold, and bids coming in from right around the world, it's clear that Bonhams' Aston Martin Sale is, more than ever, a key fixture of the classic car world."
By Noah Joseph
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