Bentley Mark IV

James Bond’s famed Bentley was shown in From Russia With Love, for the first and only time before its replacement by “The Bond Mobile.” The Mark IV is one of the few vehicles to be shown in the series not to feature any gadgetry. The only real novelty was a car phone, which although common today was quite impressive and exclusive in 1963!

• Manufacturer: Bentley
• Model: Mark IV
• Top Speed: n/a
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: n/a

The Bentley is only shown briefly – while James Bond is talking on the phone, and when he invites Sylvia Trench into the car for “lunch”. Closing the hood of the car, James Bond’s intentions for lunch become increasingly clear in a classic 007 moment.

A true gentleman’s car, the Mark IV showed early on the level of sophistication that 007 took with him wherever he went.

Aston Martin DB5

1000 were produced, one of the most sought after vehicles of its time. Produced at Aston Martin’s “Newport Pagnell” facility close by to Pinewood Studios, Bucks, and fitted with engine number; “400/P/4”, and chassis; “DP/216/1 “, this silver birch Aston Martin DB5 was destined to become “The Most Famous Car In The World”. It would be become the vehicle of choice for British secret service agent; James Bond.

• Manufacturer: Aston Martin
• Model: DB5
• Top Speed: 145.2 mph (232.3 km/h)
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 7.1 seconds
• Engine Capacity: 3995cc

John Stears, a special-effects expert approached the Aston Martin car company about using one of their cars in the next James Bond film; Goldfinger. However he had to explain to them that Eon productions, the makers of the film, could not afford to purchase one from them. Still, Stears asked if Eon could borrow one for the filming of the movie; but Aston Martin refused them, informing Stears that they “are not in the lending business”. However, they would still be happy to sell them a car.

After much negotiating they struck a deal; Aston Martin offered them a prototype car based on a much modified DB4. This was on the condition that it was returned at the end of the production, and they could use it for their own promotional and publicity purposes. The car was his! Stears and his crew now set about turning this luxury British sports car into a four wheeled arsenal of weaponry and gadgets.

Although two cars were given to Stears, only one was fitted with the working gadgets, however it was later adapted for Aston Martin’s publicity deal with matching gadgetry to the other car, and later went on to star in Thunderball.

The DB5 featured some of the most amazing gadgets ever to appear in a James Bond car and has since been dubbed by fans; “The Bond Mobile”. Among its arsenal were rotating number plates to avoid the car being identified as foreign, and also to confuse pursuers, into thinking it was a different vehicle. The gear stick housed a little-red button (which has since been spoofed in films such as; “Men In Black”), when pushed the button released a section of the roof, and activated a passenger side ejector seat.

Housed in the trunk/boot of the car was a bulletproof shield, this aided James Bond by blocking him from enemy fire from the reverse of his Aston Martin. These gadgets were all controlled by a control panel hidden beneath the forward arm-rest (this was later replaced with a champagne refrigerator). The console also controlled two .30 calibre Browning machine guns, which were located behind the front-side indicators. Next to these, were a section of the car’s bumper that could be used as hydraulic battering rams, perfect for knocking through doors or causing damage to an enemy vehicle.
Moving to the rear-end of the DB5, behind the light’s cluster were a jet-powered oil release system, and also defence mechanism to disperse pronged calthrops to burst the tyres of any pursuing nemesis. Other smaller details included, a gun tray hidden beneath the drivers seat, a telephone system that was concealed within the door-panel of the driver’s side, and lastly radar equipment located below the radio that was used to track Auric Goldfinger in Switzerland.

The DB5 remains the “most famous car in the world”, and Stears and his team did an amazing job, implementing the many gadgets that helped create a long and brilliant tradition of spy-cars in both the Bond films, and the genre in general. The “Bond mobile”, remains the object of desire to James Bond fans at shows throughout the world, and the most significant vehicle in the history of the British sports car manufacturer who built her, all those years ago.

BSA Lightning

This BSA was heavily modified for its appearance as SPECTRE assassin Fiona Volpe’s motorcycle of choice in 1965’s Thunderball. Actress Lucianna Paluzzi was seen on-screen driving the Lightning model. But allot of work took place on the bike before it took center-stage.

• Manufacturer: BSA
• Model: 1965 Lightning
• Top Speed: n/a
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: 650cc

To begin with special-effects supervisor Bert Luxford took the bike to his workshop at Pinewood Studios. It was there that he and his team fitted a curvy Avon Avonaire fairing to be placed around the front of the bike. This was developed to both enhance the vehicles visual appeal, and also to disguise one of its more sinister features…

In the film a missile launcher is shown as an added feature to the 650cc motorcycle. Just like on-screen a real working missile-launch system was fitted. However, the explosion which destroyed the car of Guy Doleman’s character, Count Lippe, was actually detonated by Bob Simmons, the same stunt-artist who appeared as James Bond in the gun-barrel sequence of the first James Bond adventure, Dr No.

Toyota 2000 GT

Toyota built the 2000 GT from 1965 until 1968. However, the car was never built as a convertible. This sporty vehicle was produced as a hardtop, never actually built in its on-screen form. It was the work of John Stears and his special-effects crew who customised two standard cars for the production of You Only Live Twice.

• Manufacturer: Toyota
• Model: 2000 GT
• Top Speed: 143 mph
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: 1998cc

The 1967 film, is the only Eon produced James Bond picture in which 007 is not shown driving. Instead, Connery hands over the wheel to Akiko Wakabayashi who took on the role of Aki, a top Japanese intelligence-agent. During a daring escape, Bond is picked up by Aki outside Osato’s office who takes him to meet her superior, Tiger Tanaka.

Kitted out with gadgetry, Aki also utilises an onboard video-conferencing system, this was again installed by John Stears and his expert-team of engineers back at Pinewood Studios. Although increasingly common in today’s’ vehicles, the 2000 GT was to be one of the first cars to have a television system set-up.

Other marvels included video-cameras placed behind both the front and the rear license plates. Ideal for surveillance and an important advantage in any chase.

Today the two sister-cars are located at opposite ends of the Earth. One is situated within Toyota’s museum in Japan, whilst the other is homed with many other past 007 cars in the private-collection of “The Cars Of The Stars” visitors’ attraction in Keswick, England.

Aston Martin DBS

This is the car James Bond used whilst saving the life of Tracy Di Vincenzo from committing suicide on a Portuguese beach. Between the years 1967 and 1972, 899 DBS’s were built. The series one model which was used in the film was built up until 1970 had a top speed of 141 mph. Missing out on the V6 engine that was applied to its sister-car the DBS V6, James Bond’s car was capable of kicking out 228 bhp.

• Manufacturer: Aston Martin
• Model: DBS
• Top Speed: 141 mph
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: 3995cc

With the exception of a rifle hidden within this Aston’s glove compartment, the car did not include any of the famous Q-branch gadgetry applied to other vehicles. Only two cars were used for filming purposes, one of which resides in a private collection in Lazenby’s homeland of Australia. The other is nestled in a museum in the north of England.

During the final moments of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, a devastating attack is launched on James Bond which sadly results in the death of his wife, Tracy. Parked up in their DBS by a cliffside just moments after the marriage takes place Irma Bunt takes the life of Tracy with an automatic weapon. Taking his car as refuge, Bond tells authorities “She’s quite alright.”

Perhap’s one of the most memorable sequences in the James Bond franchise, the death of 007’s wife would not have been the same without the DBS as its backdrop.

Ford Mustang Mach-1

The new 1970’s version of the Mustang, the Mach-1, received a number of exterior upgrades from it’s manufacturer, Ford. This included new front end styling and grille, and a welcome return to single headlights not seen on the recent models. On each side of the car was a ribbed aluminium rocker panel with Mach-1 cut-outs. In addition, the hood was changed from being totally black to having only a single black stripe.

• Manufacturer: Ford
• Model: Mustang Mach-1
• Top Speed: n/a
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: 7030cc

Keen to withheld it’s lasting relationship with the James Bond franchise, Ford supplied the producers with 8 brand-new editions of what was currently one of the word’s most sought after muscle-cars.

Filming in the spectacular backdrop of Las Vegas’ glitzy casino scene, the James Bond crew filmed the chase sequence of Diamond Are Forever in a total of three location. The main bulk of the chase took place on-location on the streets of Las Vegas, whilst the entrance scene took place in Universal Studios’, and pickup shots filmed at James Bond’s traditional home of Pinewood Studios, back in England.

Just as in the previous Bond-flick, 007 drove his love-interests cars. Instead of revving up Tracy’s cougar, James drove Tiffany Case’s Mustang through the streets of Las Vegas, performing a series of hair-raising stunts including the highlight of the sequence in which the car was tilted upon its side, and driven on only two wheels.

Today, the whereabouts of only two of the Mustang Mach-1’s used in the filming are known. Mysteriously the other six 335bhp cars have simply vanished!

Leyland RT-4755

A bus designed for transporting commuters to and from the countryside areas surrounding London, the RT-series was developed by Leyland corporation, on behalf of the London Transport Executive.

• Manufacturer: Leyland
• Model: RT-4755
• Top Speed: n/a
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: n/a

The increasingly rare Green RT’s were soon replaced around 1974, falling into the hands of collectors and private-firms alike. Today, regarded as one of the best examples of classic busses by enthusiasts, the green RT-4755 was used in the production of Roger Moore’s first outing as James Bond in Live And Let Die.

Along with the tank-chase of GoldenEye, this action-sequence developed for the eighth James Bond adventure is regarded by many as one of the most unique-sequences of the James Bond series.

In an attempt to escape from Kanangas’ men, Bond and Solitaire steal this green RT. Determined not to be outclassed, Kanangas’ men give chase in Harley Davidson motorcycles, with two Police cars later joining the pursuit.

Roger Moore, who performed a lot of his own stuntwork was given a training period with London bus instructor, Maurice Patchett, before being left to his own devices for the filming of the chase-sequence.

In addition to this, a team of special-effects technicians headed up by Production Designer, Syd Cain, applied the top-deck of the bus on rollers. This novel approach allowed for a flawless, and more importantly, safe, stunt in which Bond drives the RT-4755 under a bridge, stripping the vehicle of it’s upper deck.

AMC Hornet Hatchback

Whilst in Bangkok, James Bond hijacks the Hornet from an AMC showroom. Interestingly (and perhaps ridiculously), Sheriff JW Pepper who previously appeared in Live And Let Die, is waiting inside the car trying to arrange a test-drive.

• Manufacturer: AMC
• Model: Hornet Hatchback
• Top Speed: n/a
• Acceleration: n/a
• Engine Capacity: n/a

Smashing through the glass-window of the showroom, James Bond hits the roads and gives chase to Scaramanga who is driving another AMC, a Matador. Swerving between cars on the narrow roads of Bangkok, 007 puts his driving proess to full use. As the chase continues, Bond and Pepper find themselves on the wrong side of the river from their nemesis, Scaramanga.

In an attempt to catch-up with the Matador, grab the bad-guy, and bed the girl, James Bond performs one of the most memorable stunts from the series. The AMC Hornet Hatchback is perhaps the most boring, un-sporty looking vehicles of the Bond franchise, however Roger’s Bond charges some much needed excitement to the car by eyeing up a sunken bridge, and lining up the car for a jump.

Stunt co-ordinator, WJ Milligan, advised Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman on a stunt he had previously planned and executed. Milligan convinced the two producers that the sequence was feasible, and was eventually given the green light to go-ahead. Using specialised computer equipment at Cornell University, the mathematical and physical implications of the jump were calculated and tested.

As tests continued, a specially prepared Hornet was being built. The car would feature a centrally-mounted steering to column to maintain the car’s centre of gravity in the middle, and also irrelevant equipment was removed to lighten the car in preparation for the jump.

The daring stunt would be performed by “Bumps” Willard, an original member of a car stunt specialists group known as “Helldrivers.” Led by “The Bossle Brothers'” and also Joe Williams who performed the famous work on Diamonds Are Forever, in which he drove Tiffany Case’s Ford Mustang Mach-1 on two of its side wheels.

With paramedics, rescue-divers, and crane equipment on hand, the day of the jump finally arrived. The sunken bridge had been built to disguise a car-ramp built to flip the car 360 degrees in mid-air. An anxious crew prepared for the shoot, as months of planning neared its final-stages.

Miraculously Willard perfected the stunt in his first attempt, and eight separate cameras had captured the stunning risk he took. Producer, Cubby Broccoli rewarded the crew with celebratory champagne all-around.

Lotus Esprit

With stunt-artists George Leech and Jack Cooper at the wheel, and stunt-pilot Mark Wolff in pursuit, The Lotus Esprit sped rapidly into that select world of cinema classics. It was purely by chance that “Wet Nellie” ended up as Bond’s new wheels in The Spy Who Loved Me. Lotus chairman Colin Chapman had parked his very own car outside the film’s production offices with the hope that producers would spot the sporty new Esprit.

• Manufacturer: Lotus
• Model: Esprit
• Top Speed: 135 mph
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds
• Engine Capacity: 2174cc

By chance Chapman’s stunt worked, and he soon found himself striking a deal to supply 6 white cars for the production. A 1:1 scale replica of the Esprit was built by Perry Oceanographics using a body shell that was shipped from Lotus’ headquarters in Norwich, England.

Visual-effects expert Derek Meddings (to whom 1995’s GoldenEye is dedicated), was responsible for the creation of a three-foot submersible model of the Esprit, and the filming of the underwater sequence.

In the film, the Lotus appears to have a fins disguised within the wheel-arches, smoke screen, limpet mines, a front-mounted rocket-launcher as well as surface to air-missiles which can be used underwater. Many other features such as a periscope, and cement-spray dispenser concealed behind the registration plates are included in the Q-Branch upgrade of the car.

The Spy Who Loved me was a box-office smash, grossing a total of $187 million world-wide. Along with Roger Moore, and Barbara Bach, the Lotus Esprit emerged as one of the film’s most celebrated stars. When the film hit cinemas’ Lotus sales increased dramatically, and a three-year waiting list was given for white Esprits. Of the 6 cars used one is the property of The Ian Fleming Foundation, another resides within the Cars Of The Stars museum in England along with past-favourites such as the Aston Martin DB5.

Venetian Gondola

It is known that the Venetian Gondola dates back as far as the late fifteenth century, this has been proven in recovered artwork and writings depicting the use of these watercraft within the canal system. The current design, which was used in Moonraker was developed within the late nineteenth century, this brought an end to a long and historical evolution of constant improvements to the traditional design of the Venetian Gondola.

However, whilst the boatyards of Venice would battle with one another to modify the ageing design, and boast of their improvements, it’s doubtful as to whether the Venetians could have dreamed-up the fantastic offering supplied to James Bond via Q-branch.

Pursued by the henchmen of Hugo Drax, James Bond flips open a control panel, and ditches his Gondolier oarsman. Perfecting the technique in only a few short moments, a fast-paced chase sequence takes place through the famous canals of Venice. In reality however, the highly manoeuvrable Gondola can take weeks for a trainee Gondolier just to achieve straight navigation, months to be considered safe, and sometimes more than a year to maintain the accurate precision that James Bond achieves within a matter of seconds.

Speeding through the narrow water-logged streets of Venice, James Bond exits the canals, enters the Venetian Lagoon, and marvels bystanders as his transport transforms into a rather novel looking hovercraft.