The Aston Martin DB5 from the James Bond movie Goldfinger is estimated to be worth $24.8 million. But almost 25 years ago, it was stolen from an airplane hangar at the Boca Raton Airport in Florida. Nobody has seen the iconic movie car since then. Until now.

This was the only James Bond Aston Martin with working gadgets

Four DB5 Aston Martins were used in Goldfinger. Of those four only one of them had working gadgets. This is the one, which explains the high estimated value. When Goldfinger was released, it was called “the most famous car in the world.”

When it was first stolen, it was thought the car had been dumped in the ocean or involved in an insurance scam. At the time, it was owned by businessman and car collector Anthony Pugliese. But nothing was ever discovered through those tips. 

Art and Recovery International says it knows where the Bond Aston Martin is

Art and Recovery International is as its name implies; a company specializing in the recovery of stolen art. The car Sean Connery blitzed through Europe in 1964 fits that category-it’s art. Christopher Marinello is chief executive, and for years has been following leads about the car. 

Now he says it has been spotted in the Middle East. He’s not saying much, according to The Telegraph, because that could cause problems for its recovery. He will say that Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain are all potential locations he’s looking at.

“I’m hopeful that the possessor will come forward voluntarily before I have to make an announcement,” Marinello told The Telegraph. “It’s my policy to give possessors of stolen and looted objects every opportunity to do the right thing. I don’t believe the current possessor knew the car was stolen when he or she acquired it. Now that they do know, I think they should make every effort to have a discreet confidential discussion about how we clear the title to this iconic vehicle. 

What can you do with a famous stolen car?

What can one do with one of the most recognizable cars that exist? You can’t show it, and can’t tell anyone you own it because you don’t. And you don’t want it to be discovered. 

“They can only show it off on a very limited basis,” says Marinello. “It can’t travel outside its current location or be exhibited in a museum, so why not reach out and resolve this?” The Aston Martin was seen in a private viewing and one of those attendees came forward with the information. 

It was yanked out of its hangar and whisked off in a waiting cargo plane

Best estimates are that in spite of its weight from all of the movie hardware, it was dragged out of the hangar. A transport plane would have been waiting, and then whisked it off to parts unknown. The Boca Raton airspace is uncontrolled so there was no radar tracking of the plane. This was a perfect location to pull off a heist. 

Marinello says he is expecting a call either from the person with the car or investigators and police helping in the search. There is even a multi-part podcast hosted by actress Elizabeth Hurley called The Most Famous Car in the World. Not everyone knows this car was stolen, but soon everyone will know. That’s a perfect scenario for helping the world spot the missing car.