Cool cars have always been the stuff of dreams, but the Bond film franchise has immortalised the automobile like nothing else in cinema. James Bond and his dapper suits have graced some of the sexiest cars in the history and it’s only fitting that we take a retrospective look at the best of the bunch.
5) Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale, 2006) In 2006, Bond was brought back to the silver screen with a new actor at the helm. Daniel Craig was chosen to portray the steely secret agent while Aston Martin’s DBS V12 was the film’s pin-up car. Boy did it steal the show. This sleek, 6-litre beast managed to look both iconic (in that gloriously sleek Aston Martin tradition) yet unashamedly modern. The DBS might have met a sticky end in the film, but not before it had wowed audiences the world over.
4) Toyota 2000GT (You Only Live Twice, 1967)
In You Only Live Twice, secret agent and serial philanderer James Bond travels to Tokyo to diffuse growing tensions between America and Russia. Once on Japanese shores, he teams up with sassy Aki and the Toyota 2000GT she brings along for the ride. With Tokyo the setting for this Bond flick, it was only fitting a Japanese car was front and centre. As Japan’s first proper sports car, the Toyota 200GT fitted the bill. Becoming a Bond car cemented its place in the annals of automotive history. In fact, the 2000GT left such an indelible mark on Toyota that they decided to make a new car in its honour: the GT86.
3) Aston Martin Vanquish (Die Another Day, 2002)
The 190mph Aston Martin Vanquish and its glorious V12 engine were a prominent part of 2002’s Die Another Day in which Pierce Brosnan battles Zao on a treacherous bank of ice. The Vanquish earned the nickname “The Vanish” because it could cloak itself. It was also fitted with rockets, a machine gun, thermal imaging and, in a first since Goldfinger, an ejector seat. It was not only a beautiful car, it was also the star of one of the most visually arresting car chases in Bond history. Die Another Day was not without its flaws but the V12 Vanquish remains one of the film’s high points.
2) Lotus Espirit (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977)
How could we forget the Esprit? Featured in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, this Lotus can go underwater. Part car, part submarine, Bond’s aquamobile makes for one of the iconic scenes in cinema. As it enters the water, the tires retract and the dashboard flips around to reveal an instrument panel with a throttle lever and dials. It might not be altogether scientifically plausible, but the Esprit will live long in our hearts for its memorable underwater voyage. Now if only the Top Gear boys could build something similar!
1) Aston Martin DB5 (Golfdfinger, 1964) The Aston Martin DB5 is the daddy of Bond cars and one of the most iconic cars ever to grace the silver screen. With its sleek silver exterior and ‘60s body, the DB5 quickly became a fan favourite and the stuff of dreams for young boys all over the world. The toy model car that accompanied the release of Goldfinger was the best-selling toy of 1964; a testament indeed to the popularity of the DB5 — a car that single-handedly made Aston Martin the most prestigious badge of the 20th century.
