Neiman Marcus has the perfect gift for that car lover/Jame Bond fan on your Christmas list.
Halloween is just two weeks away! Naturally it’s time to think about what Christmas gift to buy for the person who has everything because this year’s Neiman Marcus holiday gift catalog is out and, well, it may just contain the answer.
First, if you’re shopping this catalog, it’s safe to assume that “budget” is a four-letter word in your vocabulary. This is good, especially if you’ve drawn that hard-to-please gearhead in this year’s gift pool.
Neiman Marcus is known for its … extravagant … automotive-oriented gift options. In the past there have been special edition McLarens, Camaros, Jaguars and more.
(Aston Martin Set to Launch Latest James Bond Special Edition)
This year, however, you can select something that tickles the fancy of the car lover and James Bond fan on your list with a special James Bond-themed 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera supercar.
While it’s James Bond-inspired, it’s not equipped by Q: no rocket launcher or ejector seat here.
The company will build only seven and the man himself, well, the current “man,” Daniel Craig has provided his input into how they should be equipped. Bond has always displayed exquisite taste and Craig is living up to the role with these vehicles.
They feature a gray-blue paint – described as inky blue – and matching leather interior, and are powered by the standard 5.2-liter V12 putting out 715 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. While the dashboard isn’t signed by Craig, there is more to the gift that ties it to everyone’s favorite international spy.
It should be noted that it’s not just a supercar you’re getting, but a superexperience. You’ll be whisked away to London, courtesy of American Airlines, to see the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera come off the assembly line at its Gaydon, England, production facility.
With each car, Neiman Marcus includes a special Omega Seamaster Diver 300M watch, with dials that have the trademark 007 gun barrel rifling design. Like the car, just seven of these watches are being produced.
James Bond fans can get a special edition of the Aston Martin OHMSS Superleggara if the Neiman Marcus version is too pricey.
(Q&A: Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer)
Additionally, the seven cars also come with an expenses-paid trip to the world premiere of the latest Bond film, “No Time to Die.” If it all seems just too … much. You can soothe your soul by know that 12% of the purchase price will go to Opportunity Network, a charitable organization that helps minority and low-income students get into and through college. The company notes the “minimum” donations will be $330,000.
Naturally, this specially produced Superleggera isn’t going to go for the everyday sticker price of $304,995. Get that checkbook out so you can examine the register to make sure you’ve got the funds in hand because it comes with a Bond-themed price of $700,007.
That said, if you want to scratch that James-Bond-Aston-Martin-DBS-Superleggera itch AND you don’t want to spend $700K, there is another option. The company is producing 50 special edition models to mark the 50th anniversary of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” The cars will be painted Olive Green to match the original 1969 Aston Martin DBS driven by James Bond in the movie.
The special edition DBS Superleggera boasts carbon fibre, splitter, aero blade and unique diamond turned and forged wheels. A bespoke metal grille featuring six bright horizontal vanes, adorns the front of the limited-edition car to replicate the distinctive feature of the DBS featured in the movie.
The OHMSS Superleggera features a black leather interior with red stitching inspired by the original.
The interior is trimmed in pure black leather, accented by grey blend Alcantra, as in the original 1969 DBS. The cockpit is accented in red, inspired by the red trimmed glovebox in the original car, which held 007’s telescopic-sight rifle.
The 50 owners of this James Bond Special Edition will have the option to select a bespoke designed drinks case which fits perfectly into the boot space. The black case opens via the bright metal clasp to reveal the matching red felt lined interior, with space for two bottles of champagne and four champagne flutes, which to be honest is a bit surprising. One would think it would be a couple of martini glasses and a shaker.
(Aston Martin AM-RB 003 is a high-tech hypercar.)
That said, it’s not available for $305K either, but it is a bit cheaper than that the Neiman Marcus version and, of course, does have a Bond-inspired price: £300,007.00 — or $397,007, at least before Brexit hits anyway.