38 replies to this topic

[BlackFelix]

The relationship between Bond and his Aston Martin is deep with tradition spanning way back to the days of Fleming. However since that time the Aston Martin has become as identified with James Bond as the Batmobile has become to Batman. There is nothing wrong the Aston Martin, it's perhaps the finest Personal Luxuary car on the market but that's not the problem.

The problem is that the Aston Martin may be too well known now...meaning that it's seems to stray from Fleming's original objective for Bond. Unless I'm wrong it seems Fleming tended to avoid "flash" for more belivable plausible items. As the "Bond" image has changed through the years so has Aston's..in the 1950's and early 1960's it was a little known company that produced subtle monters. Now, Aston Martin is a link in the larger than life Ford corp. and is well known as a Ferrari, or Jaguar. The Aston's are great car's and some of the best money can buy, but just a bit-over-the-top spy. Given the series new approach to realism it doesn't quite fit.

It's certainly a two-sided coin as stated before; the Aston Martin IS Bond's car after all so it must be treated as lore but perhaps it should sidelined for a few stories. Besides in the novel "Casino Royale" Bond wore a Rolex and drove a Bentley. If the producers ever do decide to give Bond another vehicle I respectfully submit a few options;

Bentley GT
Jaguar XK
Cadillac XLR
Saab 93
Mazda RX8
or a Fleming favorite...Ford Thunderbird.

Edited by BlackFelix, 02 November 2006 - 04:50 AM.

[00Twelve]

Well, I understand your point, but we have had plenty of films without an Aston, especially the 8 films between OHMSS and TLD. I might agree that perhaps the government car might be another brand every so often (as is the current case), but I don't know if I could find a great reason to make Bond give up the old school DB5 (Which is not in Craig's storyline now...).

Also, Bond usually used the Jag XK8, not an Aston, in Benson's novels, which happened at the same time (Just to allow Bond at least a British car, as opposed to the cinematic Bond's BMWs.).

Edited by 00Twelve, 02 November 2006 - 05:58 AM.

[NATO Sub]

I think a couple films without an officially 'issued' car would be a welcome break, with Bond hiring or taking possession of various low profile high performance cars.

I think Lotus are coming out with a new Esprit in the next couple of years - would be nice to see that used if only for a small sequence.

[RazorBlade]

I get what you mean about Aston Martins too. But I submit that sometimes what goes into a movie is there simply because. In other words there is no reasonable reason, it is there because the film makers want it there. I rather like Aston Martins and would like to see them in future Bond films. But if it becomes to clunky to fit an AM into every scene then don't do it.

And as a fan of Lotus, the new Europa would be nice too.

[DOUBLE-O-JOE]

Yep...why not give Aston Martin a rest and bring back the Lotus, hopefully a model that's as good as the one in TSWLM & better than the one in FYEO (which looked rather forgettable). I reckon the old Lotus Esprit was the coolest Bond car of the lot.

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]It will be interesting to see what happens next film with Ford selling Aston Martin. Was the three picture contract to have Aston Martin

[marktmurphy]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='638432' date='2 November 2006 - 15:21']
[mra]Perhaps with Aston Martin sold there is an

[Mr.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

[Red Barchetta]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

I quite agree. Bring back the Bentley for Bond.

Although, I'd love to see a (Q'd) Thunderbird!

[00Twelve]

Didn't Ford discontinue the Thunderbird due to low sales? Or am I just crazy?

[Mr.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

I quite agree. Bring back the Bentley for Bond.

Although, I'd love to see a (Q'd) Thunderbird!

Give Bond his Bentley & Felix the Thunderbird!

[zencat]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

I quite agree. Bring back the Bentley for Bond.

This would have been my vote as well. I didn't want to see the AM back in CR.

[marktmurphy]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

Because they're really chavvy.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Doesn't the Bentley idea go against the notion of trying to be more realistic? Yes, an Aston is a bit OTT for a spy's car, but come on, is it any better to see Bond tooling around in a Bentley?

But yes, I would like to see Bond drive something a little bit more low-key in the next few films. Something classy, but not too flashy; an Audi might be nice.

[Mister Asterix]

Didn't Ford discontinue the Thunderbird due to low sales? Or am I just crazy?

You are correct. Which is why I said they could use Bond to reintroduce the T-bird.

[BlackFelix]

I too like the idea of a Bond in a Thunderbird. After all Fleming himself owned one and encouraged Bentley to design cars that were similar to the T-Bird! Agreed the Bentley is OTT but it's the car Fleming assigned Bond in the novels..and I'm in favor of following any of Flemings original idea's.

During the 1980's Gardner gave Bond a Saab 900, and aside from being a fantastic luxary automobile I felt it was by far the most belivable of any car Bond drove..in terms of its ability and understated apperance. It fits Bond's image. The modern 93 convertiable seems like a natural choice!

[Mister Asterix]

I too like the idea of a Bond in a Thunderbird. After all Fleming himself owned one...

Fleming owned two.

[Mr.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

In the novel's, Bond's favorite car is his Bentley.... So why not give him a new Bentley?!

I quite agree. Bring back the Bentley for Bond.

This would have been my vote as well. I didn't want to see the AM back in CR.

Fact is, the Bentley was Bond's own car, one he stored away during war-time, I think the Bentley was from 1933!
So it would be a nice idea to Bond owning a Bentley as his own car (well maybe not a'33, but something newer, it still could be an oldtimer, one from the 50's, 60's) And his Aston/Lotus... whatever, is the car he drives on the job with all the extras installed by Q's department.
But my opinion is that it still has to be an English car, like Aston/Lotus/Jaguar, and not a BMW/Audi/VW/mercedez...!
(don't get me wrong I do like American cars like the Thunderbird, but like I said before give the american cars to Felix Leiter!)

And let the bad guys drive those german cars!

[Astonman]

Bond belongs in an Aston Martin. Even tho people know Aston Martin because of Bond, doesnt mean that everyone knows about them. Aston Martins are still hand-built and very exclusive. I have a lot of knowledge about Aston Martin and when I talk about them, a lot of people have never heard of the company before.

[Qwerty]

Or rather, how about no car in Bond 22. I love the cars, I love the cases, and Casino Royale is no exception, but I don't see anything wrong with a break (even if it is only for one film.)

[Jericho_One]

Or rather, how about no car in Bond 22. I love the cars, I love the cases, and Casino Royale is no exception, but I don't see anything wrong with a break (even if it is only for one film.)

Naaaaa...

[Astonman]

Bond has to have a car in the films. Preferably the Aston Martins!

[jaguar007]

I'm personally a fan of Astons, but I would really like to see Bond behind the wheel of a.....you guessed it!

[NATO Sub]

I'm personally a fan of Astons, but I would really like to see Bond behind the wheel of a.....you guessed it!

The new XK8 is just as bad an AM (in terms of being very visible). Could be good to see him use another high powered Jag model for a chase though.

[vosne]

As I recall, Fleming's Bond bought the Bentley that had been in a crash and was therefore cheap for the quality, then had the frame straightened and the body painted a dull battleship gray.
His choice of the Aston DB3 over a Jaguar from the MI6 motor pool was because, by his own thinking, it was less 'flashy' than the Jag but would still support his pretense of being a well-to-do playboy-type for that assignment.
I think the Aston fits Bond's style for the same reasons today. It delivers performance without the loud colors, spoilers and wings.

[CowboyFunk22]

I like audi's. I don't want to see any bmws anymore for some reason. They had their time.

I'd like to see bond get back to a more normal car that every day people drive and not 250,000 dollar things. Though they are great to see and admire,i dunno...who could actually drive an aston martin these days and not be spotted 3 miles away.

I would stand for a bently too if it was recently in a rap video.


The thuderbird doesn't do anything for me either. The new designs were atrocious and i don't see them getting any better. I rather see bond in a rental car just like spilling drinks all over it and taking it down stairs and stuff, just because he's so used to nice cars that he trashes rentals.

Edited by CowboyFunk22, 04 November 2006 - 02:00 AM.

[Fro]

They need to keep using the DB5 as Bond's personal car for the Craig bond films.

Other than that, it doesn't really matter.

[Shaun Forever]

The problem is that the Aston Martin may be too well known now...meaning that it's seems to stray from Fleming's original objective for Bond

Thing is though, that is the case with most things Bond, though from what we are lead to believe, Casino Royale is going back to the Flemming style ways. But I agree, it would be nice to see him drive something else. I liked the Moore era, when he drove a Lotus.

[BlackFelix]

Perhaps the producers could re-connect with the Alfa Romeo company. The Alfa's are sleek, understated high-performing cars and would fit perfectly for the Bond image. The Alfa Romeo "Spider" and "Alfa Brera" would be fantastic! Also I belive Bond drove at least one, albeit stolen...in Octopussy??

Aside from the Bentley (because its Fleming's idea) I don't like the idea of Bond driving the super-exclusive, ultra-expensive cars. Though Bond has a playboy image there are other more "ordinary" car that fits his image in terms of performance and actual belivablity.

Edited by BlackFelix, 03 November 2006 - 09:54 PM.

[Dikko's Back]

Aside from the Bentley (because its Fleming's idea) I don't like the idea of Bond driving the super-exclusive, ultra-expensive cars. Though Bond has a playboy image there are other more "ordinary" car that fits his image in terms of performance and actual belivablity.

The playboy image has changed a lot since Fleming died in '64. Do we want an out-dated version of the playboy image, or a current version?