Yes, James Bond’s Aston Martin, dubbed the most famous car in the world, has been sold at auction in London for £2.6m.

And yes I agree - £2.6m seems a paltry sum for a car that has given men the world over the automobile equivalent of a dirty dream. But if that weren’t enough to make its value almost incalculable, it also boasts only 30,000 miles on its clock.

The silver DB5, which was driven by Sir Sean Connery as the super-spy in Goldfinger and Thunderball, had been expected to go for more than £3 million.

But a spokesman for the auctioneer said: “It’s still a lot of money and I don’t think anyone’s disappointed.”

American broadcasting boss Jerry Lee bought the 1964 car for 12,000 US dollars in 1969 and since then it has spent much of its time in the United States.

Mr Lee said he plans to donate proceeds from last night’s sale to his charitable foundation.

He said: “The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years.”

The car was sold at Battersea Evolution in London by RM Auctions, together with Sotheby’s.

Astonishingly, the car is still road legal, so whom ever has bought this icon of the black top, might actually be able to take the kids to school in it.

And it was dubbed the Most Famous Car in the World in a 1993 book of the same title by Dave Worrall.

But naturally, I left the best ‘till last.

The car’s piece de resistance, which is not included, even as accessory in the showroom car, is its ejector seat.

In the late Sixties, almost every schoolboy owned a Corgi toy version of it.

And this is how, in the film, it was introduced: Q: “You see the gear lever here? Now, if you take the top off, you’ll find a little red button. Whatever you do, don’t touch it.

Bond: “And why not?

Q: “Because you’ll release this section of the roof and engage and fire the passenger ejector seat.”

Bond: “Ejector seat? You’re joking!”

Q: “I never joke about my work.”