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Top Ten: James Bond cars

BMW Z3
IN THIS FEATURE
James Bond cars
1 Sunbeam Alpine: Dr No
2 Derby Bentley: From Russia With Love
3 Aston Martin DB5: Goldfinger and Thunderball
4 Toyota 2000GT convertible: You Only Live Twice
5 Aston Martin DBS: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
6 Diamonds are Forever: Mustang Mach 1
7 Lotus Esprit: The Spy Who Loved Me
8 Aston Martin V8: The Living Daylights
9 BMW Z3: Goldeneye
10 BMW Z8: The World is Not Enough
Cars, and car chases, have been an intrinsic part of the glamour of James Bond since the famous film series began in 1962 with Dr No. However, it was the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger (1964) that really set the Bond car agenda with an arsenal of gadgets that captured the imagination of boys large and small all over the world. Nearly 40 years on you can still buy a James Bond Aston Martin Corgi model, which proves the impact of that car has proved difficult to beat. However, most subsequent attempts to 'do a Bond car' have descended, like the films themselves, into parody and product placement has run rampant.

Not all of the cars Bond has used have been upmarket - 2CVs, Renault 11s and three-wheeled Indian taxis have all featured - but recently, BMW has had the franchise. Would Ian Fleming have approved of his British agent driving a German car? I doubt it. Thankfully for traditionalists, Bond will be back in an Aston Martin, the forthcoming Vanquish, in the next film, due in 2002. Thank you, Mr. Ford.


Next : 1 Sunbeam Alpine: Dr No
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