Wheels and deals

According to researchers at online marketplace eBay.co.uk, a piece of DB5-related memorabilia sells every 30 minutes during daylight hours.

At 37 sales or more per day, the DB5’s iconic styling seems to strike as close to the heart as it always has.

Posters, model cars, full-size car parts and even complete vehicles make up the numbers and give the DB5, which featured first in 1964’s Goldfinger, a clear lead over the next-most popular Bond car.

In second according to eBay’s statistics is the humble Citroen 2CV, an item related to which is sold every 60 minutes.

The bright yellow getaway car from For Your Eyes Only is, by this measure, more popular than the Sunbeam Alpine from Dr No, the Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me and the stunning Toyota GT 2000 from You Only Live Twice.

:: Honda is to introduce a pair of downsized turbocharged petrol engines with the next generation Civic.

The 10th generation Civic will feature a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine and 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, both VTEC turbocharged.

Following on from the 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo used in the recently-released Civic Type R, the engines will be all-new and Honda promises they’ll deliver class-leading power, economy and emissions. No firm figures have been announced yet.

What Honda does say is the new engines will feature in the next generation of Civic, due on sale in 2017. It will be available in five-door hatchback form in the UK and will be made at the company’s Swindon factory. Part of this plan includes a £270 million investment in the British plant to prepare for the new model.

Philip Crossman, managing director of Honda UK, said: “With the launch of these two smaller turbocharged engines, we are responding to the market demand and the rising trend for increased fuel efficiency without compromising on power.”

Game Of Thrones actor Charles Dance’s 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible is being sold at auction, and could reach £30,000.

The bright red soft-top has been owned by Dance since 2002 and was his daily car up until 2013. It has been the subject of a complete restoration since then by respected specialist Phil King of Classic American Restoration Services.

As well as refurbishing the car to its original condition, the restoration included fitting new floor and wing panels, new brakes and a completely rebuilt 4.7-litre V8 engine.

The engine is one of the desirable 289 V8 motors that gives the Mustang strong performance and its characteristic burbling V8 exhaust note.

Inside, the cabin was fully re-trimmed in red leather and the cream fabric soft-top was restored to as-new condition.

Due to work commitments, Charles Dance has not been able to enjoy his good-as-new Mustang, so he has decided to sell it on.

Classic Car Auction’s General Manager Guy Lees-Milne said: “We’re privileged to be able to offer this car and sell it on behalf of Charles. This is a beautiful example of the iconic Ford Mustang, and combined with its celebrity connections we expect a lot of interest.

“This is the ideal car not just for Mustang fans but for Game of Thrones obsessives around the world. Just imagine driving the car once owned by Tywin Lannister!”