10 of the best Bond cars
They don't last long, but James Bond has driven an enviable selection of motors during his illustrious espionage career. We kick the tyres on the best 007 cars
Citroen 2CV – For Your Eyes Only
The Citroen 2CV, or Deux Chevaux, is an unlikely Bond car. But the iconic steed, which was originally designed to move French peasants on from horse and cart, proved an invaluable getaway car in For Your Eyes Only. By the end the yellow paintjob has seen better days but it handled steep hills and gunfire like a champ.
Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger
When the people behind the third Bond film decided the Bentleys in Ian Fleming’s novels were too fuddy duddy, the beautiful Aston Martin DB5 was drafted in. It was a masterclass in product placement, though Aston wasn’t keen initially. In the end, they came to their senses and handed over two cars, one for driving and the other for filling with weaponry and gadgets. Like an ejector seat.
Lotus Esprit S1 – The Spy Who Loved Me
Bond, who usually went with the latest Aston Martin, was given a Lotus Esprit S1 by Q. It was the latest British car at the time, and it’s 007 appearance did sales no harm, even though the production model lacked its celluloid counterparts amphibious skills.
Jaguar XJ L – Skyfall
Though Casino Royale’s Aston Martin DBS was a wondrous bit of motor, Bond mellows out for Skyfall, taking to the wheel of a luxury government limo for his latest outing. Sadly, he neglects to test the roll cage quite as thoroughly as he’d done with the Aston.
Alfa Romeo GTV6 – Octopussy
In Octopussy, the Italians got a look in when the Alfa GTV6 was commandeered by Bond in West Germany. It’s a short sequence cut even shorter by a rogue police car, but it’s a long enough to enjoy the legendary V6’s throaty roar.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish – Die Another Day
007 went back to his Aston Martin roots in Die Another Day, with the suave secret agent returned in a Vanquish. Four cars were specially adapted for the lengthy chase scene filmed in Iceland, racking up a bill of £1,250,000 for adding 4-wheel drive and ditching the V12 engine in favour of race V8s.
BMW 750iL – Tomorrow Never Dies
With British car manufacturing in decline, Bond’s producers turned to BMW. First came the Z3, but the 750iL in Tomorrow Never Dies is packed with gadgets, including the ability to be driven by a mobile phone. The epic chase scene used up the full quota of sixteen loan cars, with none returning from the shoot intact.
BMW Z8 – The World is Not Enough
In the World is Not Enough, Bond went from the rather ugly BMW 750iL to the magnificent Z8. At the time, only sixteen of the 400bhp, V8-powered machines existed. Naturally, then, replica prototypes were made to take the brunt of the stunt work, including the car’s brutal end, a swansong for BMW’s Bond days.
Saab 900 Turbo – Licence Renewed
Saab never got a proper look in for the films, but for John Gardener’s Licence Renewed book, the sporty Saab was Bond’s ride of choice. Given that Saab’s are usually seen as architect’s cars, it was an unusual choice, but it got the job done.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage convertible – The Living Daylights
When Timothy Dalton took over from Roger Moore, he was given a V8 Vantage. Due to the rarity of the convertible version, Aston chairman Victor Gauntlet had to lend his personal car for the opening scenes before the car was made ‘winter-proof’ in Q’s workshop. Somehow by adding a roof, the rear lights were magically adjusted, too.
Skyfall’s stunt driver: “It was a bit like driving a tractor”
Dan Grabham
Editor-in-Chief 
