In 1997, one of the most iconic vehicles in cinematic history, the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger and Thunderball, was stolen from a hangar in Boca Raton, Florida. The car belonged to collector Anthony Pugliese and was equipped with fully functional Bond gadgets, including machine guns and an ejector seat. The heist was meticulously executed—thieves managed to bypass the hangar’s alarms and security, suggesting inside knowledge of the facility. Investigators speculated that the car was likely airlifted out of the hangar, as there were no tire marks or other physical evidence indicating it was driven away. Despite a major investigation, the DB5 seemed to vanish into thin air.
For over two decades, the whereabouts of the stolen DB5 remained one of the greatest mysteries in the automotive world. The car, valued at $24 million, was believed to be lost forever, but in 2021, new information surfaced that brought fresh hope. Reports emerged that a car matching the DB5's vehicle identification number (VIN) had been spotted in a private collection in the Middle East. Experts believe the current owner may have purchased the vehicle without realizing it was stolen, as the DB5 was kept in secrecy and possibly passed between collectors over the years. This discovery has renewed efforts to track down the car and return it to its rightful owner.
The stolen DB5 had long captivated car enthusiasts and James Bond fans alike, not just for its appearance in Goldfinger but for the sheer audacity of its theft. The car was the only one of four used in the Bond films to feature all the gadgets made famous in the movies, including rotating license plates, oil slick dispensers, and a bulletproof rear screen. Its disappearance made headlines across the globe, with rumors circulating that it had been hidden away by organized crime or shipped out of the country shortly after the heist. Despite numerous leads over the years, the trail went cold—until this recent development.
With the new lead emerging in 2021, the case has once again gained momentum. Art Recovery International, the organization leading the investigation, has expressed hope that the car’s current possessor will come forward voluntarily. A $100,000 reward is still on offer for any information leading to the car's recovery. While the mystery is not fully solved yet, the possibility that the legendary Aston Martin DB5 could soon resurface has excited fans, marking a potential end to one of the longest-running and most intriguing car heists in history.
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Nick Aylieff | Classic Motors For Sale | sales@classicmotorsforsale.c
