I'm watching this show on BBC-America featuring the various James Bond cars and the history behind. Come to find out the "original" Bond car was not the famed Astin-Martin that he's known for. It was a mid-50s super-charged Bentley that got destroyed during a car chase in the first book. Afterwards he picks up the Astin DB-III from the car pool to have something to drive.
I think the new movie, Skyfall, has an Astin DB5.
So I got to thinking what would be my pick for a new ride for 007.
It shouldn't be something too exotic lest he would stand out in the crowd - sort of like the Lamborghini Diablo I saw here recently.
But it can't be too lame for our famed agent.
I'm thinking maybe the Bughatti Veyron. At 1001 horse power off the floor, it certainly has the ballocks for any mission. Then again at nearly $2million sticker price and a 2 year wait to get one, the movie makers might should build a fake one.
Any other ideas?
His car in the Skyfall movie was destroyed, so maybe a fake one would be good?
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TNAI
I'm have a hard time understanding how you came to the conclusion "not to exotic" and then your next thought was Bugatti Veyron?!?!?!?!? 🙂
Well, the Veyron doesn't have the fly-up doors like the Diablo.
To me it looks more like a Mercedes on steroids.
The Diablo or a Ferrari F40 or a Mustang GT400 or GT40 just scream "I'm going fast and right now!!". The Veyron still holds the horse-power and speed records for a production car. At least as far as I know. I'm sure it still holds the price tag record as well.
My favorites have always been the Aston-Martins and more specifically the DB's (named after David Brown). Pure british styling with decent handling and power to weight. Stylish but not outlandish. You can wear a tux with one or your tennis outfit with equal flair.
There have been other cars featured prominently, like the T-Bird but it just never seemed fitting to a british agent. The one movie with the drop top mustang was good but that was not Bonds and just one of the ladies. It did feature a romp through the woods and what appeared to be the film sped up double to give it the appearance of real speed. 🙂
They are running low on brit cars to use for Bond. Bentley's are nice but sure not fitting for a sporty runabout. Jaquars are still produced but no where the style they once had that made them identifiably in a crowd.
The Ascari would be a nice change of pace, but not for the signature car. I'd like to see Bond take a ride or two in a Morgan as well. Morgans have little power but corner like the dickens because of their weight.
I guess I just prefer they stick with the Aston's for now though.
Not too exotic
The transmission is a dual-clutch direct-shift gearbox computer-controlled automatic with seven gear ratios, with magnesium paddles behind the steering wheel and a shift time of less than 150 milliseconds, built by Ricardo of England rather than Borg-Warner, who designed the six speed DSG used in the mainstream Volkswagen Group marques. The Veyron can be driven in either semi- or fully automatic mode. A replacement transmission for the Veyron costs just over US$120,000. It also has permanent All-Wheel Drive using the Haldex Traction system. It uses special Michelin PAX run-flat tyres, designed specifically to accommodate the Veyron's top speed, and cost US$25,000 per set. The tyres can be mounted on the rims only in France, a service which costs US$70,000. Curb weight is 1,888 kilograms (4,162 lb). This gives the car a power-to-weight ratio, according to Volkswagen Group's figures, of 446.3 metric horsepower (328 kW; 440 bhp) per ton.Top speed = 408.47 mph...
Not too exotic
The only bad thing about Brit cars is that they are restricted to day driving only, that is if Lucas still makes any of there electronics. He was the father of darkness long before anyone heard of Darth Vader.
Yes,I've owned MG's and a host of british bikes. I know of where I speak.
Not too exotic
Saw the program also, one of the first cars driven was a "sunbeam Tiger". Now its making me wonder where it showed up first, "Get Smart" or "007"
Not too exotic
Why don't the British make surveying instruments?
They can't figure out how to make them leak oil.
I'll give you that the Veyron looks more tame than a Lamborghini, but they definitely still qualify for "exotic".
I really like the Lotus Esprit Turbo from "For you eyes only"
And of course, the DB5 from "Goldfinger"
