Although initially reluctant, Aston Martin owner David Brown made one of the world's smartest decisions when he agree to supply two DB5s to serve as James Bond's MI6-tweaked wheels in the Goldfinger movie. Apparently the producers approached Jaguar first, with hopes of securing one or two examples of its stunning new E-Type, but Sir Bill flatly refused. The rest, as they say, is history, during which Aston Martin has benefitted (to this day) from its inspired association with Mr Bond in the 1960s (studio images: Top Gear).