James Bond movies are one of the longest running film franchises of all time. While some of the movies have stood the test of time better than others in terms of enjoyment and production values, each brought a touch of glamour. As well as daring escapades, attractive women and martini based cocktails, vehicles have played a large part with the Bond brand.
The London Film Museum is located in Covent Garden. The museum opened in 2008 and hosts a series of different exhibitions. 2016 sees the turn of all things James Bond.
The exhibition is titled, appropriately, Bond in Motion. The exhibition has much on offer, covering almost every James Bond movie.
One of the most interesting cars is the classic Aston Martin DB5, for years synonymous with James Bond. The Aston Martin DB5 was a British luxury grand tourer made by Aston Martin and designed by the Italian company Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.
Not all Bond cars cars end up in good condition, as this one – a DBS model – from the more recent Casino Royale movie testifies.
Among the classic offerings is the car from Goldfinger. The car is driven by the central villain. This is a yellow-painted Rolls-Royce with number plate “AU 1” (“Au” being the chemical symbol for gold.)
Movie scenes are on show close to some of the vehicles, like this scene of Sean Connery from the Goldfinger picture.
In 1969 Bond switched vehicles to a Mercury Cougar XR7, for the picture On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. In 1967, the Cougar was available in two models (base and XR-7) and only came in one body style (a two-door hardtop, no center or B-pillar).
With a 1970s feel, the Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me was a popular attraction, judging by the attention it received from the museum visitors. The Esprit was launched in October 1975 at the Paris Auto Show, and went into production in June 1976.
For admirers of mid-period Bond, here is the Rolls-Royce silver cloud from A View To A Kill. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was a car produced by Rolls-Royce Limited from April 1955 to March 1966. It was the core model of the Rolls-Royce range during that period.
Also from the middle era, a Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day, in garish green. The Jaguar XK are a series of grand tourer cars.
Sean Connery’s return in Never Say Never Again saw various sea craft, like his underwater tow shed.
From The Living Daylights an Aston Martin V8. As with all traditional Aston Martins, this car was entirely handbuilt and it took 1,200 man-hours to finish.
The World Is Not Enough saw Bond’s first BMW, a Z8 series car.
Things are brought up-to-date with Spectre, and the sleek and futuristic looking Aston Martin DB10.
Also in Spectre, a Rolls-Royce Wraith featured.
Other types of vehicle include this jet, from Octopussy. This is the BD-5J (also known as the “Acrostar Jet “, a 300 miles per hour aircraft.
Plus a set of motorcycles from various movies.
Some cars are displayed as concept art too, such as this development sketch from Moonraker.
As well as cars there is other memorabilia, such as clapperboards and storyboards. The two below are taken from the movie Goldeneye.
There is also a replica of the M16 building, Bond’s headquarters.
For fans of James Bond, movies in general, or cars, the exhibition holds great interest. The entry cost is £15 ($25).
