IT’S 003½!

For mini Bonds, a working mini Aston Martin ... if mummy and daddy have £54,000 to spare

IT is the ultimate big boy’s toy – a scaled-down version of the Aston Martin DB5 made famous by James Bond.

But as it is large enough to seat an adult, this car is just as likely to appeal to budding 007s who are dads as it is to their children.

Unless you plan to rob Fort Knox, you will need to be wealthy, however, as the price tag of up to £54,000 would leave most of us more shaken than stirred.

In fact, for that amount, you could buy a real Aston Martin – AutoTrader currently lists several second-hand DB9s for less than £50,000.

And you will need plenty of land, or access to a racetrack, because the baby Bond car, which has a top speed of nearly 50mph, cannot be driven legally on British roads as things stand.

The limited edition two-thirds scale DB5 has been created by the Little Car Company in collaboration with Aston Martin.

And while the electric car is a fully working replica of the DB5 launched in 1963, it has none of the gadgets that wowed Bond fans in Goldfinger – and that will be seen in the forthcoming No Time To Die – not even an ejector seat for when dad gets bossy as he’s teaching you to drive.

Two versions are available: The DB5 Junior costing from £42,000 and the more powerful DB5 Vantage Junior from £54,000.

By comparison, in 1963 the DB5 cost £4,175, equivalent to about £89,000 today, although original models now fetch millions. And the limited edition of DB5 Goldfinger Continuation launched this summer by Aston Martin – complete with 007 gadgets including replica machine guns – sells for £3.3million.

The Little Car Company, based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, is building 1,059 of the Junior DB5s, matching the number of original models sold in the 1960s.

Owners of original DB5s are being offered the first opportunity to buy a baby version, with a chassis number matched to their car.

Developed using a full 3D scan of the original DB5, the rear-wheel drive Junior is designed to accommodate an adult up to 6ft 6in tall and a child side by side in supportive bucket seats. The Little Car Company says this is ‘to allow different generations to share the love of driving’.

It takes about five hours to charge, with a range of between ten and 20 miles and a standard top speed of 30mph, although in a special ‘race’ mode it can accelerate from 0 to 37mph in six seconds, with a top speed of 42mph.

The Vantage Junior has twice the battery power and will hit nearly 50mph, with a range of between 20 and 40 miles.

Both models come in the famous silver birch colour as standard, with black leather interior and carpet. They have working headlights, brake lights, indicators and a horn, while the two-thirds scale steering wheel has a racing-style quick release. Like the original, the dashboard is filled with Smiths instruments, including a clock.

Some have been updated, so the fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter while the oil temperature gauge monitors the motor temperature.

The Little Car Company says it is ‘designed as a recreational vehicle only’ adding: ‘Therefore, it is recommended for use only by persons of 14 or older. If driven by a minor between 14 and 18, then it may only be used under competent adult supervision.’ It also recommends that helmets are worn.

There is a chance owners will be able to seek DVLA approval to drive on the roads, perhaps by having the vehicle assessed as a quadricycle, but they would have to be taxed and insured – and be over 17 as they would need a licence.

The Little Car Company said: ‘Absolute authenticity was key throughout the development of the vehicle. The DB5 Junior sports the same iconic Aston Martin wings, shield and DB5 badges as the original 1963 model.’ Owners will receive membership of the Aston Martin Owners Club.

Marek Reichman, executive vice president of Aston Martin, said: ‘The Little Car Company have gone into meticulous detail to truly replicate the stunning form of the original DB5. I very much look forward to seeing these fun tributes to the timeless DB5 go into “service” with owners of all ages.’

‘Absolute authenticity was the key’