I got mine directly from DB as well, but it wasn't until 1999 or 2000, so maybe they changed to leather at a later time. My ejector seat works the same way, but I never had a problem with it. My model was on display for a while with the seat in place, but it is now back in its box with the seat packed separately.
I got mine very early (I think christmas time 1997) from a German dealer, I paid 499 DM for it. Danbury wasn't available other than by mail order in the U.S., and I think I didn't even know Ebay back then. The dealer imported them somehow from the USA but charged a lot of money ... Mine has a leather interior, and the two Ebay auctions SilentSpy posted also have both a leather interior. This is not plastic in the photos, that's how model leather looks like.
I got mine very early (I think christmas time 1997) from a German dealer, I paid 499 DM for it. Danbury wasn't available other than by mail order in the U.S., and I think I didn't even know Ebay back then. The dealer imported them somehow from the USA but charged a lot of money ... Mine has a leather interior, and the two Ebay auctions SilentSpy posted also have both a leather interior. This is not plastic in the photos, that's how model leather looks like.
I'll take another look at those eBay pics. I couldn't tell that it was leather. I'm still sure my seats are plastic. I'm fairly certain I would not have used crazy glue near leather. I don't remember that ejector seat being soft at all.
I have the certificate stored with my Bond comics. I'll take a look at that one day. The DB5 is too much trouble to get to right now.
Model leather is the very thin top layer which is split from the rest of the leather. It doesn't give a soft feel. You have 1/10th mm leather and feel what's underneath, the plastic, resin or white metal the model is made of.
Hey I think the "Mini beautiful is on it's way" i.e. "The big build" Again, Good luck MG -{ :x
Are you calling my unborn child a little Vacker?!
As for the Danbury DB5, I did think about it once but as I've already got the corgi, 1:43 UH, 1:43 Minichamps goldfinger, and the 1:18 Autoart (4th gen with roof hatch and gadgets) I thought I was a bit DB5'd out. The only DB5 I'd really want now is the 1:8 GE Fabbri or a 1:1 version
My auto art is my favourite but it got damaged in a house move and I've yet to get round to repairing it
Do any of you guys know if the latest Autoart version (with roof panel) has suspension? I've read that the autoart versions don't have suspension...
I can only talk from experience as a collector and I'm not a perfectionist when it comes to screen accuracy, but as Markus will no doubt confirm I'm a bit of a DB5 nut at any scale.
IMOA the AutoArt remains top of the tree, yes it's flawed and no it has no suspension but it looks great and prices are starting to reflect this with minters achieving 200GBP+, but great care must be taken when buying as the were a number of paint issues on later releases, especially on the drivers door! I'm afraid the Joyride/ertl versions leave me a little cold and just feel a bit...cheap.
I have about a dozen or so of the Danbury mint models which I love for the engineering a slight quirkiness, I mean come on, is a retractable ariel necessary on a 1/24 scale; collection includes a Gold and Silver JB versions and the later maroon and blue non-bond models, the seats in the JB versions should most definitely be coated in a very thin layer of battleship grey leather, I've never seen one without. Again it's not perfect, but it's far more rhobust than any other large scale versions and as such is the one I display, especially is the scale seems to work well with the corgi icon figures. I met the guys who produced it and within the cost base they were offered it was the very best they could engineer.
Reasons for the differences in the certificates between the UK and US I'm not sure about, the models and packaging are exactly the same and do not have the limited edition number printed or stamped anywhere on them; again I have both, the UK certified cars do carry a higher value as the US certificates are printed with the original buyers details which can put some collectors off, the UK versions carried no such detail. I've managed to source a few unprinted original US certificates but from what I understand few exist. Prices are going up so IMO you should be looking at around 120-150 for a good silver model with box, packaging, certificate and display case and c200 for the Gold plated model with associated paraphernalia. If you just want the car you can probably half those figures.
The DM advertising flyers are the surprise reaching values in excess of 40GBP on eBay and display cases with the plaque go for around 50GBP+.
Ultimately I still love the original corgi 270 with the silver bumpers, these are becoming almost impossible to to find mint in their original bubble packaging, expect to pay upwards of 750GBP and as much as 1200GBP for a mint set; if you're on a tighter budget a more recent addition by Minichamps, again with all the gadgets and minute 1/43 detail including a removable roof, ejector seat, tire slashers and revolving number plates, is still available for about 30-40 quid.
Reasons for the differences in the certificates between the UK and US I'm not sure about, the models and packaging are exactly the same and do not have the limited edition number printed or stamped anywhere on them; again I have both, the UK certified cars do carry a higher value as the US certificates are printed with the original buyers details which can put some collectors off, the UK versions carried no such detail. I've managed to source a few unprinted original US certificates but from what I understand few exist. Prices are going up so IMO you should be looking at around 120-150 for a good silver model with box, packaging, certificate and display case and c200 for the Gold plated model with associated paraphernalia. If you just want the car you can probably half those figures.
I'm going to check my certificate today. I know mine didn't come with a display case. I always had it sitting on my desk.
Reasons for the differences in the certificates between the UK and US I'm not sure about, the models and packaging are exactly the same and do not have the limited edition number printed or stamped anywhere on them; again I have both, the UK certified cars do carry a higher value as the US certificates are printed with the original buyers details which can put some collectors off, the UK versions carried no such detail. I've managed to source a few unprinted original US certificates but from what I understand few exist. Prices are going up so IMO you should be looking at around 120-150 for a good silver model with box, packaging, certificate and display case and c200 for the Gold plated model with associated paraphernalia. If you just want the car you can probably half those figures.
I'm going to check my certificate today. I know mine didn't come with a display case. I always had it sitting on my desk.
Seriously, get a case, they collect dust like a magnet especially inside and they're a dog to clean!
I'm looking at my instructions titled "The James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 Unpacking and Care Instructions" now. I don't see any mention of leather seats. It's funny how they say the ejector seat "should be kept unloaded when not in use to prevent accidental ejection." I would always hear that seat popping up into the roof.
My "Certificate of Title" has my name as the "Car Owner." That's funny like it's an actual vehicle title. The vehicle checked as "new", model name as "007 DB5", other details like year, make, colors, no. of cylinders, and body style. The Seller as "The Danbury Mint" with address and director's signature.
Maybe the leather was so thin I thought it was plastic. There isn't a date of purchase on the certificate. I guess finding the box where it's stored is the only way to know for sure.
Comments
I'll take another look at those eBay pics. I couldn't tell that it was leather. I'm still sure my seats are plastic. I'm fairly certain I would not have used crazy glue near leather. I don't remember that ejector seat being soft at all.
I have the certificate stored with my Bond comics. I'll take a look at that one day. The DB5 is too much trouble to get to right now.
Are you calling my unborn child a little Vacker?!
As for the Danbury DB5, I did think about it once but as I've already got the corgi, 1:43 UH, 1:43 Minichamps goldfinger, and the 1:18 Autoart (4th gen with roof hatch and gadgets) I thought I was a bit DB5'd out. The only DB5 I'd really want now is the 1:8 GE Fabbri or a 1:1 version
My auto art is my favourite but it got damaged in a house move and I've yet to get round to repairing it
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
believe mine does.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
I can only talk from experience as a collector and I'm not a perfectionist when it comes to screen accuracy, but as Markus will no doubt confirm I'm a bit of a DB5 nut at any scale.
IMOA the AutoArt remains top of the tree, yes it's flawed and no it has no suspension but it looks great and prices are starting to reflect this with minters achieving 200GBP+, but great care must be taken when buying as the were a number of paint issues on later releases, especially on the drivers door! I'm afraid the Joyride/ertl versions leave me a little cold and just feel a bit...cheap.
I have about a dozen or so of the Danbury mint models which I love for the engineering a slight quirkiness, I mean come on, is a retractable ariel necessary on a 1/24 scale; collection includes a Gold and Silver JB versions and the later maroon and blue non-bond models, the seats in the JB versions should most definitely be coated in a very thin layer of battleship grey leather, I've never seen one without. Again it's not perfect, but it's far more rhobust than any other large scale versions and as such is the one I display, especially is the scale seems to work well with the corgi icon figures. I met the guys who produced it and within the cost base they were offered it was the very best they could engineer.
Reasons for the differences in the certificates between the UK and US I'm not sure about, the models and packaging are exactly the same and do not have the limited edition number printed or stamped anywhere on them; again I have both, the UK certified cars do carry a higher value as the US certificates are printed with the original buyers details which can put some collectors off, the UK versions carried no such detail. I've managed to source a few unprinted original US certificates but from what I understand few exist. Prices are going up so IMO you should be looking at around 120-150 for a good silver model with box, packaging, certificate and display case and c200 for the Gold plated model with associated paraphernalia. If you just want the car you can probably half those figures.
The DM advertising flyers are the surprise reaching values in excess of 40GBP on eBay and display cases with the plaque go for around 50GBP+.
Ultimately I still love the original corgi 270 with the silver bumpers, these are becoming almost impossible to to find mint in their original bubble packaging, expect to pay upwards of 750GBP and as much as 1200GBP for a mint set; if you're on a tighter budget a more recent addition by Minichamps, again with all the gadgets and minute 1/43 detail including a removable roof, ejector seat, tire slashers and revolving number plates, is still available for about 30-40 quid.
I'm really tempted to dig out my DB5 now. Everyone here is saying it has leather. Even that the leather is thin. It didn't feel like leather to me.
I'm going to check my certificate today. I know mine didn't come with a display case. I always had it sitting on my desk.
Seriously, get a case, they collect dust like a magnet especially inside and they're a dog to clean!
I'm looking at my instructions titled "The James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 Unpacking and Care Instructions" now. I don't see any mention of leather seats. It's funny how they say the ejector seat "should be kept unloaded when not in use to prevent accidental ejection." I would always hear that seat popping up into the roof.
My "Certificate of Title" has my name as the "Car Owner." That's funny like it's an actual vehicle title. The vehicle checked as "new", model name as "007 DB5", other details like year, make, colors, no. of cylinders, and body style. The Seller as "The Danbury Mint" with address and director's signature.
Maybe the leather was so thin I thought it was plastic. There isn't a date of purchase on the certificate. I guess finding the box where it's stored is the only way to know for sure.