The initial article in this series focused mainly on the most famous car driven by the character of James Bond, that being the Aston Martin DB5, famously featured in the film “Goldfinger” in 1964. Part two of the 007 series will examine some of the more famous cars used by the James Bond character in the 007 films throughout the entire decade of the 1960s.

The James Bond character was established as a new type of action hero in the 60s, seen in the films Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and of course, Goldfinger. The character quickly became synonymous with international intrigue, beautiful women and luxurious automobiles. In addition to the signature Bond vehicle, the Aston Martin DB5, the film adventures utilized many other sought after cars of the era and by doing so elevated the awareness of both the character of James Bond and the films bearing his name. Some of the more noteworthy vehicles will be spotlighted below.

1962’s Dr.No was not only the first Bond feature film, but also the beginning of Bond being associated with two seater sports cars. In this film, Bond drives an Sunbeam Alpine Series II. This particular vehicle had no gadgets or modifications performed on it but it is used by Bond to navigate the rolling hills and sharp turns of the Jamaican outback and also to great effect in a sequence where Bond outmaneuvers a hearse that has given chase. While it would come to be overshadowed by the cars the Bond character would use in later movies, it will always have the distinction of being the “first” Bond sports car.

With the release of From Russia With Love in 1963, James Bond was already beginning to be associated with beautiful cars, in the movie he spends some time behind the wheel of a Bentley 4.5 Liter Sports Tourer, as well as a Citroën Traction Avant. The Bentley in particular is interesting since unlike many of the Bond cars that would come later, this particular vehicle had no special gadgets installed, save for a telephone (this would have been viewed as highly extravagant since car-phones were not commonplace in 1963). According to the novelization of the story, Bond only kept a pistol in the glove box, and other than that, there was no modifications of any kind. In the novel, Bond is given the Aston Martin as a replacement for the Bentley.

In 1967’s You Only Live Twice, the featured car was a Toyota 2000 GT. One caveat is that while Bond himself never actually drives this particular vehicle, instead it belongs to the character Aki (actress Akiko Wakabayashi), he is still commonly associated with it. The car caused quite a sensation when it made it’s debut at the Tokyo Motor Show two years prior in 1965, as it had a top speed of 220km/h, made possible by the inline six cylinder engine with two camshafts. For the purpose of the film, two of these cars were modified to be convertibles, an option never available commercially. As the car originated in Japan, it was equipped with a miniature color TV, a closed circuit camera hidden behind the license plate, a cordless phone and a voice activated cassette player – quite impressive for the time.

The last Bond film of the decade, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, released in 1969, would be the only one not to feature then regular Sean Connery, replaced in the title role by actor George Lazenby. It would be Lazenby’s only turn as Bond. Despite the change of lead actor, the accoutrement of the character did not change at all. This film also featured a return to the Aston Martin, only this time around it was an Aston Martin DBS Vantage instead of the previously used DB5. As it turns out, the car was not used very heavily in the movie, being utilized in only four scenes. This Aston Martin also had no modifications with the exception of a secret compartment in the glove box to conceal a snipers rifle. It is perhaps more famously remembered as the wedding car of James Bond and his wife Tracy, as this film was the only one in which Bond was ever married and they are shown driving it from their wedding.

The next article in the series will focus on the Bond films and cars of the 1970s.