Mention the Aston Martin DB5 and the epithet “the most famous car in the world” frequently follows soon after.

Naturally, that reputation is largely owed to the model’s seminal role in the third James Bond picture Goldfinger , where a Q Branch-equipped Silver Birch example co-starred alongside Sean Connery for the attempted getaway from Auric Enterprises.

The Aston reprised its role in the next instalment of the series, Thunderball .

The inspired decision to return the DB5 to the silver screen during the 1990s for the Pierce Brosnan era of the franchise, before making it the personal car of Daniel Craig’s Bond, only enhanced the celebrity status.

Surely the most memorable gadget fitted to 007’s DB5 was the ejector seat.

And while the secret agent had to make do with a detachable panel in the roof, the Aston Martin Newport Pagnell factory did construct 123 true DB5 Convertibles between 1963 and 1965.

The open-top car was underpinned by Touring of Milan’s lightweight tubular Superl...