Museum owner buys Bond's Vanquish

A car used in the Bond film Die Another Day has sold for nearly a quarter of a million pounds at auction.

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was snapped up by motor-museum owner Peter Nelson for £210,500.

It was sold at the annual Bonham's sale, at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell Works Service, Buckinghamshire.

Mr Nelson's Cars Of The Stars museum in Keswick, Cumbria, houses 25 Bond vehicles - the largest collection in the world.

He said: "I have a number of James Bond vehicles, but this really is the most fabulous thing I've ever been in. I sat in it and it fit me perfectly.

"I can't wait to take it for a drive and my children are desperate for me to pick them up from school in it. But I'm a bit shaken and stirred because it's not a cheap car."

The vehicle is just one of three 'hero cars' driven by 007 Pierce Brosnan on the Icelandic set, and featured extensively in close-up shots of Bond in pursuit of villain Gustav Graves.

Bond fans will be able to see the car for themselves at the Edinburgh Cars Of The Stars museum from May 17, before it is whisked back to Keswick.

The auction also saw registered number plate 007 01 bought by property developer Mark Evans, from north Wales, for £16,675.

(10th May 2003)