THE OTHER JAMES BOND CARS
By Ellie Priestley |
2nd June, 2020
In this blog we’re not focusing on the major “Bond Cars” but the sort of vehicles that were within reach of the average cinema patron. I’ve concentrated on the Connery, Moore and Lazenby eras, partially for brevity but also because they are my 007s of choice. Enjoy…
Dr. No. 1962
The first 007 adaptation for the big screen contains a plethora of reasonably priced cars – a Jamaican Police Ford Consul Mk. II, a Standard Ensign taxi, a Vauxhall Velox PA and an Anglia 105E De Luxe. Plus, of course, Bond’s Sunbeam Alpine Series II, rented by the production company for 10 or 15 shillings per day, according to which story you read. The chase scene is hilariously inept, even by early 1960s standards, with the Pinewood scenes failing to match the location footage - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO88NI16g84
From Russia with Love 1963
One of my favourite 007 films and the Istanbul locations contain a plethora of fascinating Detroit machinery from a De Soto Fireflite, a Plymouth Savoy and a Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe to a Dodge Coronet and a Plymouth Cambridge. The “Other Side” favour a Citroen 11 BL Traction Avant while my own “Car of the Film” has to be the 1960 Ford Ranch Wagon.
Goldfinger 1964
Asides from the Ford Mustang and a certain Aston Martin DB5 we have a ’54 Ford Customline Country Sedan and Goldfinger’s army of black Mercedes-Benz “Pontons”. And, for all Renault Dauphine fans, there is even a fleeting glance of an Ondine.
Thunderball 1965
This is the only Bond film to date where 007 takes a ride in a Morris Minor 1000 Tourer, in addition to drive-on roles for a Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible and a Bedford A 3L ZG Harrington crew bus. And possibly the most distinctive member of the automotive supporting cast is the RHD Volga M-22 Estate.
You Only Live Twice 1967
AKA The Bond film in which Sean Connery wears a George Harrison wig as part of his not terribly convincing disguise as a “Japanese fisherman” and Donald Pleasence gleefully overacts as Blofeld. If that were not enough, there is also Toyopet Crown Deluxe-full of stuntmen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTg1EqMMKpQ - a Prince Gloria taxi and a fleeting shot of a Nissan-built Austin A50 Cambridge.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1969
The first 007 cinema feature with a strong Mini presence (asides from Blofeld’s Mini Mokes in You Only Live Twice) while Ford heavily capitalised on the Escorts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPzAPyl6_s
Diamonds Are Forever 1971
The Dover sequence is a veritable car show in their own right – an Austin 1300 Countryman Mk. II, a PB-Series Commer 1500 and a Mini 850 Mk. III.
Live and Let Die 1973
Or Roger Moore’s eyebrow-raising debut as 007. A plus point - the great man taking the wheel of an ex-London Transport 1947 AEC Regent III - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzwXNvMyZd8. Negative points – the voodoo sequences and the “comedy” airfield routine.
The Man with the Golden Gun 1974
Virtually all motoring life is here, from the Simca 1501 to the MGB Roadster and the Mercedes-Benz W115 W220D. N.B. Why the production allow that overdubbed sound-effect to almost ruin the AMC Hornet X moment? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD_5Gg-i3BM
The Spy Who Loved Me 1977
Probably Sir Roger’s finest hour as 007, although no-one has ever explained why the Egyptian “Telephone Service” is using an RHD Leyland Sherpa 240 Deluxe. The sharp-eyed will also spot a Vauxhall Chevette, a very early Ford Fiesta and a Fiat 850. Asides from the Lotus Esprit, the “Car of The Film” award must go to the Ford Taunus Ghia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1MDwVRgoQc
Moonraker 1979
A confession – this is one of my least favourite 007 films. The Star Wars trappings are totally superfluous, and the gondolier with the doubling-taking pigeon belongs in a late-period Carry On picture. That said, there is a yet another cameo role for a British-built Mini Moke.
For Your Eyes Only 1981
Peugeot enthusiasts may wish to look away as FYEO wrecks some beautiful 504 saloons as they pursue 007 in his Citroën 2CV6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SPJB61Yad8. Naturally, there is small role for a Mercedes-Benz W115 200D in addition to a Renault 18 and an Opel Rekord E from the “When Did You Last See One Those” category.
Octopussy 1983
Quickly drawing a veil over the Tuk chase, Octopussy is rich in fine everyday machinery; the Polizei BMW 518 E28, an Austin FX4, a Mercedes-Benz W123 200 (of course) and a VW Beetle 1302. Most importantly this is the only 007 picture in which Roger Moore pays a visit to the Nene Valley Railway where he encounters a) a black Volga M-24 Diesel and b) a W108-series Mercedes-Benz 280S. Add to that Stephen Berkoff chewing every available piece of scenery, and you have a 007 adventure to remember.
View to a Kill 1985
By this time, Sir Roger has acquired a certain, shall we say, stateliness, plus six very visible stunt doubles. The Renault 11 TXE sequence is not without its amusement value - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6oh0T3oTvI - but the finest aspect of the story is the Moore-Macnee double act.
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