James Bond Battery-Operated Aston Martin with Original Box (Gilbert, 1965)....

Description

James Bond Battery-Operated Aston Martin with Original Box (Gilbert, 1965). Released in 1965 at the height of the original James Bond phenomenon, this battery-operated Aston Martin by Gilbert captures the moment when 007 firmly crossed from the cinema screen into the toy aisle. Modeled after the Aston Martin DB5 made famous in Goldfinger, the car reflects the mid-1960s fascination with spy gadgets, automotive glamour, and licensed tie-ins that mirrored Bond's global cultural dominance. Gilbert's version translated the sleek proportions and mystique of Bond's signature vehicle into a battery-powered toy, aimed squarely at a generation enthralled by secret agents, Cold War intrigue, and high-tech thrills. The box shows heavy wear overall, with significant scuffing and dents along the edges, heavy crushing at the corners, and two torn corners on the box top. The box faces exhibit heavy scuffing, creasing, and crushing, though the artwork remains vibrant and visually strong. The vehicle itself shows age-related wear, including some rust on metal components and paint abrasions, while notably retaining a clean battery compartment with no corrosion present. Despite the wear, the box structure remains intact. As a complete boxed example, this Gilbert Aston Martin stands as a compelling artifact from the earliest era of James Bond merchandising, when licensed toys were still closely tied to contemporary pop culture rather than long-term franchise nostalgia. The survival of the original box, even with its wear, adds historical weight and visual context that underscores the toy's mid-1960s origins. For collectors of vintage Bond memorabilia, classic battery-operated toys, or spy-era pop culture, this piece offers an authentic snapshot of how 007 mania translated into playroom form at the peak of Bond's original cinematic run.

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