17 replies to this topic

[screamingmoonrock]

As per title, what if Sean Connery drove a Jaguar E-Type or a Jaguar MK2 3.8 in Goldfinger/Thunderball, would this be any less iconic? I have always pictured SC driving a MK2 3.8 more than a E-Type, in my eyes the Jaguar MK2 was better looking than the DB5 and elegantly sinister. Any thoughts?

[Vauxhall]

I guess the Aston Martin DB5 largely became iconic because it caught the audience's imagination in GOLDFINGER and then reappeared in other movies as Bond's car of choice. If a Jaguar had been driven by Bond in the early movies and it appealed to the cinema-goers, then I see no reason why it couldn't have established a similar reputation.

[Dustin]

The E-type may be a little bit too 'loud' for Bond, almost a muscle car. It used to inspire penis comparisons for a reason. Not that Bond wouldn't like the car, far from. But I suspect it might be a bit too vulgar and on-the-nose for his tastes. Film Bond? Would drive whatever is decided for him. Result would be much the same, only Aston Martin would then likely have folded in the 70s and nobody would know them any more today.

The Jaguar MKII is a beauty but I somehow associate it more with the wheels of the villain, bit like a Mercedes.

[marktmurphy]

A car I think Bond should have had (although it was released the year after Goldfinger so wouldn't have replaced the DB5) is the AC 428. British, stylish, massive American engine... it's right up Fleming's street:



Connery thought the DB5 was a 'lady's car'; that's a man's car. I'd say it's a fresher design than the DB5 too; I love the DB5 but it's really a 50's car.

[Simon]

I reckon the iconic status was as a result of both the car and the fact it had all the gadgets stuck in it.

So, to answer the question, if a Jag had the gadgets then I do believe we would be thinking of it in the same way as we do the AM.

[Mr. Arlington Beech]

As per title, what if Sean Connery drove a Jaguar E-Type or a Jaguar MK2 3.8 in Goldfinger/Thunderball, would this be any less iconic? I have always pictured SC driving a MK2 3.8 more than a E-Type, in my eyes the Jaguar MK2 was better looking than the DB5 and elegantly sinister. Any thoughts?

Yes, I have to admit that the Jaguar MK2 3.8 is a very Conneryesque car, but I'm not so sure if it's looks like a Bondish vehicle

A car I think Bond should have had (although it was released the year after Goldfinger so wouldn't have replaced the DB5) is the AC 428. British, stylish, massive American engine... it's right up Fleming's street:



I'd say it's a fresher design than the DB5 too; I love the DB5 but it's really a 50's car.

Yes, it's true the DB5 design is a little bit stucked on the 50's particularly the rear end of the car.

[jaguar007]

Honestly (and I say this as a huge Jaguar enthusiast), I don't think the Jaguar would have reached the Bond iconic status of the Aston Martin. Why? Because the production was higher and many more people owned them. Seeing an Aston Martin is a rare thing and when most people see them they associate Bond. There are many more Jaguars on the road than there are Aston Martins.

[Simon]

Good point.

[marktmurphy]

Honestly (and I say this as a huge Jaguar enthusiast), I don't think the Jaguar would have reached the Bond iconic status of the Aston Martin. Why? Because the production was higher and many more people owned them. Seeing an Aston Martin is a rare thing and when most people see them they associate Bond. There are many more Jaguars on the road than there are Aston Martins.

I think it was about half the price of a DB5, wasn't it? And faster.
I'm sure I've read that Jaguar refused to supply an E-Type too.

[DR76]

I agree with Vauxhall.

[jaguar007]

I think it was about half the price of a DB5, wasn't it? And faster.
I'm sure I've read that Jaguar refused to supply an E-Type too.

It is the TV show The Saint that you are thinking of. Since Bond drove and Aston Martin in the book GF, that is what the producers went after. As far as I know, an E-type was never an option.

[marktmurphy]

Not according to Evo magazine. Empire magazine too.
They may be wrong, of course. I don't have my copy of Most Famous Car in the World with me.

In fact, search for 'E-Type Goldfinger' and you'll find that story all over the place; so, no: it's not The Saint I'm thinking of.

Although oddly Bond's DB5 did make an appearance on The Saint before fiding fame in Goldfinger, 'BMT' numberplate and all!

[Simon]

I concur that the E-type Jag story was related to the Saint. Which was why Jaguar didn't make the same mistake again come Return of the Saint when they offered the XJS.

However, I don't know about the Jag story relating to Goldfinger. There is nothing I could see in the Most Famous Car in the World book. Aston did refuse to lend them an AM, so thoughts did veer towards Bentley and a Chevy(!), but they always wanted the AM. And they got it.

[marktmurphy]

Yep, I'm not convinced it's true; but it is all over the place as I linked above so I wasn't wrong to think I'd read it about Goldfinger.

Some say the E-Type story for The Saint is actually erroneous: Roger wanted a Mk X, and although Jaguar were happy to supply it, they couldn't do it in time.


As a sidenote; I watched the slightly rubbish Tower Heist a few weeks ago: there's an amazing replica of a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso in that, which was apparently made from a Volvo P1800. It's an incredible bit of work.

[Simon]

Curious that Jaguar were happy to supply that which they couldn't supply, but didn't want to supply something that (we are, over time, lead to believe) they could supply.

I must admit to not knowing or having forgotten the Mk X story.

[delfloria]

Bond's Bentley? The books or even FRWL.

[marktmurphy]

Curious that Jaguar were happy to supply that which they couldn't supply, but didn't want to supply something that (we are, over time, lead to believe) they could supply.

Not really: it's the same thing. They'd give them a car but they'd have to go on the waiting list.

[Simon]

Ah, ok.