Aston Martin

218 Aston Martin DB4

March 1960 - 1965

Available in bright yellow or shades of red from brick red to a dark red

Three types of base:

Models can be found with four types of wheels, 

The shaped fixed wheels are scarce.

There are three types of bonnet vent: 

Early editions had open vents in two styles, later this was filled and a different shape. It will usually be the free-spinning wheel type that has the filled, smoother vent but cross-over editions are known.

The bonnet hinge has three types as illustrated below, with some late versions with the smaller block having a silvered finish to the underside of the bonnet.

Clearly not every wheel type has every vent type and every bonnet hinge type but I have yet to figure out what the complete range may be.

You may also find many models with 'stick-on' wheel covers to resemble wire wheels. I am not sure but these may have been included in the box with the early smooth wheel editions.

309 Aston Martin Competition

April 1962 - 1965 

Available in just the one colour scheme but with two bonnet styles, as for the 218 model, early editions with an open vent, later smaller and closed. RN 1, 3 or 7.

It is listed as being revised in December 1964 with spoked (wire) wheels. Whether these actually exist is uncertain.


From the 1965 Corgi Catalogue

261 James Bond Aston Martin DB5

October 1965 - 1969

The model that everyone knows about. First issued in gold and then, as 270, in silver.

There are two main types - with and without 'side lamps' or indicators below the headlamps. There are further distinguishing features as illustrated below in vent definition, door handle size, badge size and the space between the rear of the roof opening and top of the rear window frame. The first edition is the one with sidelamps.

A scarce gold edition, often referred to as 'toffee gold' was also issued. The clearest distinguishing feature is the underside of the roof which appears almost plastic in tan matt finish. The interior may be slightly brighter. The colour itself is not always obvious as there were many of the metallic shades of gold.

In the box should be a Secret Instruction Pack, containing instructions and a spare baddie, and a Stick-on '007' label badge.


'Toffee gold' edition with non-metallic finish

matt tan finish to roof underside

sidelamps / no sidelamps

defined vent

poorly defined vent

badge size

exhaust mounting

larger handle

small handle

space between roof and rear window frame

270 James Bond Aston Martin DB5

February 1968 - 1978

The first re-issue, now in silver and with two more features: revolving number plates front and rear and tyre slashers on the rear wheels. It loses the badge, though. The radiator grille and bumpers are now chrome. Early editions had silver chrome, most editions had a gold colour plating.

This can be found with wire wheels and also, in very late editions, the tyre slashers are not present with a type of Whizzwheel and revised extended wheel arches evident.

I record five editions of the 270 model:

1968-69

Wire wheels | silver bumpers | round section on base

1969-75

wire wheels | gold bumpers | round section on base

1976

wire wheels | gold bumpers | oval section on base

1977

Whizzwheels | wheel arches | grey base

1977-78

Whizzwheels | wheel arches | silver base

You may see the 270 model with 'red spot' Whizzwheels. These are almost certainly individual models that have been built either by factory people or revised later by a collector or dealer. It is quite simple to change the wheels. Whilst they may look interesting and, as the 270 model production covers the introduction of these wheels, making these possible in theory, my research indicates that those available to dealers went straight from wire wheels to styled chrome Whizzwheels.