There have been several Aston Martins in the James Bond film series, the most notable of course being the one that started it all in Goldfinger, the 1964 DB5. Now, that was a car to do some damage on the road! I loved it!
For today's entry, I'm going to take a moment and look back at all the Aston Martin's driven by 007 and which ones stand out to me and which ones stand out less.
SEAN CONNERY
In Connery's third outing as 007, Q gives 007 his very first Aston Martin which then turns out to be his own personal car in future films. This is a revolutionary car in that we've never seen a car with such amazing gadgets before. In the previous film, Bond's Bentley merely has a phone connected to the car, which for 1963 was never done before, but in today's standards, is hardly outstanding. When Bond asks Q where his Bentley is in Goldfinger, Q responds, "Oh, it's had it's day I'm afraid." Bond replies, "Well it's never let me down before." "M's orders 007. You'll be driving this new Aston Martin DB5 with modifications." This is when Bond meets his match in British automobiles for decades to come.
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| Aston Martin DB5 with modifications. |
The car is not only gorgeous and sleek, but it also comes with a handful of gadgets such as:
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| Q's modified gadgets |
An ejector seat; a rear oil slick; two front end machine guns behind the turn signals; bulletproof glass; a rear shield to stop gunfire and more. The car for 1964 is a beauty and I'm sure the world over wanted to be like James Bond and get in one of these.
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| Tire slashing wheels |
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| GPS mounted on dashboard...ingenious! |
As mentioned before, the car was so renowned with 007 that in following films we see it yet again. She is featured the most even if she isn't in all the scenes or the main car of the film.
Goldfinger
Thunderball
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
Casino Royale
Skyfall
SPECTRE
Used mainly as Bond's personal car, after it's use on the field Bond has a soft spot for the vehicle and uses it throughout the decades. In Skyfall, although the car is clearly damaged after the events of the film, Q fixes her up to be used by the end of SPECTRE. Mainly a 60's car, this car holds the routes for 007 and his adventures and different incarnations in Connery, Brosnan and Craig.
GEORGE LAZENBY
In 1969, the world saw a new Bond in Australian actor George Lazenby. With a new Bond came a new Aston Martin. This time, as a 1968 DBS. Now, although not as memorable in design or as gadget laden as the DB5, this is certainly a gorgeous looking car and is worth mentioning as it is still a part of the Bond Legacy.
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| 1968 Aston Martin DBS |
When we first see the sleek design in the beginning of the film, Bond is driving down near a beach giving chase to whom we later discover to be his future wife, the fateful Tracey de Vincenzo.
As mentioned before, there were no gadgets in this car, other then a compartment for his telescope built into the head of his gun. It is detachable as you can see. He uses this to take a more...personal look of Tracy come to find out she attempts to commit suicide.
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| Compartment for Bond's shotgun and telescope built into one of the ends. |
If only the car was bulletproof like the DB5 or else Tracy would have survived. Instead she gets killed by Blofeld. At the same time...this car is also memorable for the fact that this is where he loses his wife.
Funny note, but during the following film, Diamonds Are Forever, you can see the same car being repaired in Q's workshop while 007 talks to him on the phone.
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| Aston Martin DBS spotting in Q's workshop in Diamonds Are Forever |
TIMOTHY DALTON
In 1987, James Bond and Aston Martin finally reunite after nearly 20 years. Timothy Dalton makes his debut (my personal favorite 007) and along comes the 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage/Voltane supplied by Q. Why do I list two cars? Well, we get two different types here but I'm going to focus on the hardtop version of the car, which is the Vantage and this is when we see the car most in action.
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| Bond's Aston Martin V8 Vantage |
The model of the car was in service from 1977 to 1989, a great time for Aston Martin and there is a bit of a Ford Mustang flare to the front of the car. You can still see similarities from the DB5 and DBS but there is a major upgrade in terms of sophistication and suspension as well as style. It does retain it's roots but adds more to it.
The car is laden with a bunch of new gadgets from Q-Branch. They range from bulletproof windows; tire spikes for traction; retractable skies for driving on ice and other terrain; a self-destruct mechanism so as not to fall into enemy hands; target seeking missiles and even a jet engine for fast propulsion. It's everything one could ask for in a Bond car.
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| Rocket propulsion in motion. |
THE END OF PART I. STAY TUNED FOR PART II! I'll get that one done asap.
OUT OF THESE, WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE? THANKS FOR READING AND JAMES BOND WILL RETURN!
SOURCES:
Aston Martin DB5 Gadgets:
- GIF of Aston Martin courtesy of GIPHY.COM
- Images of DB5 gadgets courtesy of dailymail.com
Aston Martin DBS:
- Images of Aston Martin courtesy of IMCDb.org
Aston Martin V8 Vontane/Vontage:
- Image of Aston Martin in Vienna courtesy of IMCDb.org
- Image of rear courtesy of Paste Magazine
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