Paul Jolly: How films drive classic car values

Certain classic cars achieve cult status through association with films and probably the best example of this is the Aston Martin DB5 brought to our screens with James Bond as secret agent 007.

A Renault Caravelle convertible with detachable hardtop like this lovely bronze example was also featured in a famous 1973 movie, set in France during the 1960’s, but can you name the film? Answer at the bottom.

In the case of the Aston Martin DB5, values can easily achieve £500,000 with around half of this attributable to the ‘Bond’ factor. The DB6 which superseded the DB5 is rarely worth over £200,000 yet is arguably a better car and looks very similar to the untrained eye. But this example of elevated values is extreme and unique to the DB5. After all, who doesn’t want to be thought of as Bond, James Bond! There clearly are some who do think this way and are prepared to pay for the supposed privilege!

Minis have an endearing following and the hot version Mini Cooper S achieved fame in the Italian Job with Michael Caine. His team used these little pocket rockets in a gold bullion heist set in Turin. Values now are comfortably over £30,000 for top examples especially in the red white or blue as depicted in the film.

American actor Steve McQueen raced the streets of San Francisco in the 1968 classic film Bullitt. His steed of choice was a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and examples of these are now well over £50,000. 

Another cult American car film from 1971 called Vanishing Point featured a white Dodge Challenger. Due to the iconic chase scenes and hero status of its driver Kowalski, any Challenger is now worth well over £50,000 purely on the association with this film.

I have to admit to owning a Mustang Fastback followed by a Dodge Challenger myself in my fickle youth, such was the allure and glamour of these cars.

Answer: The tres chic Caravelle briefly appeared in The Day of the Jackal after Edward Fox cruelly dispatched its lady owner and stole her wheels.