James Bond & Aston Martin : A Brief History
Featuring iconic Aston Martins from the past, present and future, No Time To Die, the 25th James Bond film sees Bond return to active service to complete a treacherous mission.
AN ICONIC HISTORY : The Goldfinger
1964’s ‘Goldfinger’, the third film in the James Bond series, saw the introduction of a new car for bond – the Aston Martin DB5, signalling the start of a relationship which spans eleven Bond films and nearly 50 years of cinema history.
The book version of ‘Goldfinger’ had seen author Ian Fleming place bond in an Aston Martin DB Mark III, but as the DB5 had been introduced by Aston Martin in 1963 the decision was made to use the company’s latest car. Coloured in distinctive silver birch, ‘Goldfinger’ saw sales of the DB5 increase and the profile of the company grow.
Thunderball
Bond’s gadget laden DB5 returned in 1965’s ‘Thunderball’, with the DB5 further enhanced from ‘Goldfinger’ with rear facing water canon and a boot stowed jetpack.
The cars used in the film were the same as those used in ‘Goldfinger’ DP216/1 (modified) and DB5/1486/R which was used for road and close up sequences.
On Her Majesty Secret Service
A new lead actor saw a new lead Aston Martin as the Aston Martin DBS was chosen to appear in the 1969 film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, the first and only outing as bond for George Lazenby. Introduced in 1967, the DBS initially used the same 6-cylinder engine used in the DB6 until the DBS V8 was launched in 1970.
The Living Daylights
A hiatus of more than twenty years came to an end in 1987 as Timothy Dalton’s debut as James Bond saw him accompanied by the Aston Martin V8 vantage, a car produced in various forms from 1977 – 1989.
Supplied to the producers personally by Aston Martin chairman victor gauntlet, the film featured both volante and coupe versions of the car, customised with obligatory gadgets including outriggers and tyre spikes.
Die Another Day
Pierce Brosnan became the first James Bond to drive two different Aston Martins Martin as the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish roared on to the screen in the 2002 film ‘Die Another Day’.
Casino Royale
Daniel Craig’s 2006 bond debut in ‘Casino Royale’ also saw a new Aston Martin unveiled to the world – the DBS. In addition to DBS the Aston Martin DB5 made an additional special appearance, making ‘casino royale’ the first film to feature two Aston Martin models.
Bond’s Aston Martin DBS featured in one of the most memorable moments of the film as a high speed accident leads the car to flip and roll seven times, a new world record. The sequence was filmed on the Millbrook proving ground with a modified db9 due to filming taking place before the DBS was finished.
Quantum of Solace
Following on from the high speed action sequence in ‘Casino Royale’, Daniel Craig’s second James Bond appearance in ‘quantum of solace’ saw the Aston Martin DBS return at the opening of the film in a high-speed chase.
Skyfall
2012’s ‘Skyfall’ saw bond in his twenty-third film outing, with the Aston Martin DB5 returning for its sixth appearance in one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year.
Nearly fifty years after its screen debut in 1964, the Aston Martin DB5 has left an indelible mark on popular culture. The first of five distinct Aston Martin models to be featured in James Bond films, DB5 continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic cars ever produced
Spectre
007 will once again drive an Aston Martin in the forthcoming James Bond film spectre. On this occasion it will be the stunning Aston Martin DB10 – a model developed specifically for the film and built in-house by Aston Martin’s design and engineering teams
No Time To Die
The latest James Bond movie will feature some of the most iconic Aston Martin since debut in 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. No Time To Die will also feature an Aston Martin V8 Saloon, similar to the one first seen in 1987’s The Living Daylights. The DBS is driven by new 00 agent Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch. The Flagship of the Aston Martin range, the DBS Superleggera makes quite the entrance in the film.
Valhalla – Aston Martin’s revolutionary mid-engined sportscar – will also make a special cameo appearance in No Time To Die.
