Everything James Bond touches -- adult beverages, gadgets, women -- becomes an instant icon, but few things capture the public’s imagination like what the man rides.
While today’s Agent 007 traverses the globe in simpler, elegant-yet-muscular machines, the more fanciful rides of the past are still an important part of Bond lore.
Though the man has the power to make even a Ford LTD seem almost desirable, the following 10 vehicles are the greatest Bond machines ever.
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 is the quintessential “classic” Bond car. Though Bond has driven a couple of Aston Martin DB5s throughout his long, illustrious career of international espionage, it's the silver DB5 from Goldfinger that most Bond fans remember. This DB5 is the debut of the Bond car as we know it today; it was the first MI6-built ride to feature bulletproof glass, rotating number plates, retractable machine guns, and a passenger-side ejector seat.
Due to its appearance in Goldfinger, the DB5 was often referred to as “the most famous car in the world,” and to this day even the standard DB5 remains a highly sought-after vehicle. In 2010, the actual DB5 from the movie -- including Q-approved modifications -- was sold at auction for $4.6 Million.
BMW Z8
Immeasurably cooler than the Z3 that launched the Bond/BMW partnership, the BMW Z8 from The World Is Not Enough provided Agent 007 with some seriously cool firepower… if only for a minute. Boasting titanium armor, fender-mounted surface-to-air missiles and “six beverage cupholders,” this roadster had more than a few handy additions. But it had some practical upgrades, too: Its ability to be driven remotely via a key chain is something we’re starting to see today. Chinese car manufacturer BYD has a family sedan that can be driven in just the same way -- albeit at a much slower speed. Does this mean we might soon see Bond in a Su Rui?
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante
Aston Martin’s already mean-looking V8 Volante gets an extra dose of aggressiveness thanks to the team at MI6. In The Living Daylights, this British muscle car gets the Bond treatment and packs necessities such as booster rockets, hubcap-mounted lasers and a pair of skis. Clad in all black, this Volante was the meanest thing on a pair of skis in cinematic history.
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