The James Bond movie franchise will soon be celebrating 60 years, covering 25 movies with the 2021 release of No Time To Die. So many modes of transport have featured over the journey that we won’t attempt to cover them all here. To keep the list interesting, and relevant, we’ve carefully curated a collection of the most iconic and memorable cars whether borrowed, hired or stolen. If James Bond didn’t care then neither do we. There’s even a couple of boats, a motorbike, a tuk tuk, and a Kenworth truck.

Anyone familiar with Bond movies knows the car most associated with the franchise - the silver Aston Martin DB5 first featured in Goldfinger (1964). The DB5 returned in 1965’s Thunderball before disappearing for 30 years, making a re-appearance in Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as 007 in the 1995 release GoldenEye. Since then it’s made regular appearances in subsequent Bond movies up to and including No Time To Die.

Aston Martin achieved worldwide fame five years prior to becoming the first 007 car in 1964’s Goldfinger. With legendary Texan Carroll Shelby at the wheel, Aston Martin won the famous 1959 Le Mans 24 hour endurance race.

Creator of the legendary Cobra and Shelby Mustang - Carroll Shelby also took Ford to victory over Ferrari at Le Mans in the late 1960s, as portrayed in the movie Ford V Ferrari.

Read about the Ford vs Ferrari rivalry

Any article on the cars in Bond movies is not complete without mentioning author Ian Fleming, the man who invented 007. A car lover himself, Fleming’s novels had secret agent 007 driving all manner of exotic machines including Aston Martins, Bentleys and like himself - a Ford Thunderbird (though Bond never drove a T-bird in any of the movies). Fleming liked his cars fast, good-looking, and expensive. He turned to American hardware for a time after growing tired of unreliable high performance offerings from Europe. After driving a ‘56 Thunderbird for several years and liking the performance and reliability, his next car was another sporty American - a supercharged 1963 Studebaker V8 Avanti.

Without further ado, let’s take a journey through time as we take a look at the (mostly) cars that have featured prominently in the longest running, most successful move franchise of them all.

Dr No - 1962

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible

Sean Connery’s first outing as James Bond was a deserved success, so much so that he was to play Bond in the next four 007 films, followed by a single appearance in both the 1970s and ‘80s. For many, Connery is Bond - the original and best. The perfect combination of suave charm, subtle humor, and deadly menace. Dr No was not only a huge success, it laid the groundwork for all subsequent Bond movies to come.

The very first car chase in James Bond movie history occurs when 007 is a back seat passenger in a convertible 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Having just landed in Jamaica he’s no sooner going at break neck speed to evade a 1961 Chevy Impala. Bond soon realizes his chauffeur is not what he seems. Later we learn than the car following them is driven by Felix Leiter, CIA agent and friend of 007. Bond ends up driving himself to his hotel with the deceased ‘chauffeur’ as his passenger.

The famous ‘57 Chevy was powered by the 283 cubic inch small block V8 that could be optioned with all manner of goodies, including 2x4 bbl carburetors and even, for a princely sum - mechanical fuel injection.

Visit the Chevrolet gallery

Sunbeam Alpine Series II

James Bond collects a lake-blue Sunbeam Alpine Series II hire car at his hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Unlike the Aston Martins that Bond would be associated with in later films, the Alpine was a cheap sports car with a 1.6 litre four cylinder engine of only 80hp.

After being invited to the mountain apartment of enemy spy Miss Taro (Zena Marshall), Bond drives the Alpine along a winding, unpaved road where a 1939 LaSalle hearse tries to force him over the steep embankment. Bond struggles to lose the hearse before it has to brake suddenly and goes over the cliff, exploding into a fireball.

The Sunbeam would go on to further fame as Agent 86’s car in the legendary TV comedy series Get Smart. Maxwell Smart’s car was the V8 version known as the Tiger, with a small-block Ford V8 providing more oomph than the Alpine Bond drove in Dr No.

Read more about the Get Smart cars here

From Russia With Love - 1964

1935 Bentley 3.5 litre drophead coupe

The 1935 Bentley 3.5 litre drophead coupe is not used in any stunts and we do not see 007 drive it. The stately old Bentley does have some Q mods however, including a car phone Bond uses to call Ms Moneypenny after his pager goes off.

Bond's car in From Russia with Love is an unusual one for the series, the 1935 Bentley Mark IV being 27 years old when the film was released. In several Ian Fleming novels, Bond drove a Bentley 4.5 litre, which predated the Mark IV by two years. The inclusion of the Bentley in the third Bond movie was not only a nod to Ian Fleming, but also to filmgoers familiar with the novels.

Goldfinger - 1964

Aston Martin DB5

The most iconic Bond vehicle was introduced in Goldfinger - the legendary Aston Martin DB5. The movie is named for gold-smuggler Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) whose dastardly plan is to increase the value of his bullion by setting off a nuclear device inside Fort Knox.

When Bond is first introduced to the DB5, he asks what happened to his Bentley. Q responds, "It's had its day, I'm afraid. M's orders, 007” An evolutionary successor to the DB4, the DB5 was introduced in 1963 with a reworked version of the same legendary twin cam straight six that won Le Mans in 1959 with none other than Carroll Shelby at the wheel.

Increased from 3.7 to 4 litres giving an additional 20hp, the DB5 weighed 3,200 pounds (1466kg) and was capable of 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and 1/4 mile in 14.8. Though not shattering today, those stats made the DB5 among the fastest cars in the world at the time.

Without extensive engine upgrades, the DB5 as featured in Goldfinger would have been considerably slower than stock due to the array of gadgetry installed:

• Revolving number plates

• GPS dashboard

• Tire slashers

• Smoke screen

• Oil slick

• Rear bullet-proof screen

• Ejector seat & roof opening

• Machine guns

• Car phone

• Extendible bumperettes

In the novel, author Ian Fleming had Bond drive a DB 2/4 Mark III, but the producers chose to use the newer DB5, which had been released only months prior to shooting. 

Bond drove a series of Bentleys in the early novels, but for 1959's Goldfinger, Ian Fleming put Bond in an Aston - several years before the first film was made.

Fleming referred to the Aston in the novel as a ‘DB III’ but its believed he was referring to the DB Mark III as the DB3 was a racing car. The Aston Martin was unique in the novels because it was the only Bond car to have gadgets including reinforced bumpers, a hidden gun compartment and a homing device.

1963 Lincoln Continental sedan

Two 1963 Continentals featured in Goldfinger, a sedan and the world’s only four-door convertible. The ‘63 models were visually similar to earlier versions, but both length and wheelbase were stretched allowing for improved rear seat legroom and larger trunk. Engines remained the same at 430 cubic inches or 7 litres.

The Continental sedan features prominently in Goldfinger; first appearing at Auric Goldfinger’s stud farm in Kentucky being loaded with gold bullion for Mr. Solo’s journey to the airport. The trip proves to be the last for the doomed mobster as well as the hapless Lincoln, which is crushed with the gold bullion still inside.

Ford Mustang convertible

After receiving the Aston Martin from Q, while trailing Goldfinger’s Rolls Royce, Bond has a run-in with Tilly Masterson (Tania Mallet) in a 1964 Mustang convertible. Traversing the Furka Pass in the Swiss Alps, Bond slashes the Mustang’s tires to force a meeting, then gives Masterson a lift to a service station.

The Ford Mustang had only just been released in the US in April of that year, causing a sensation. Over 400,000 Mustangs were sold in the first year, making it the most successful new car launch in history and creating a brand new market segment - the pony car.

Visit our Mustang gallery for more images.

Thunderball - 1965

Aston Martin DB5

Thunderball has the DB5 appearing early in the movie after Bond kills a SPECTRE hitman connected with the murders of two MI6 agents. 007 uses a jet-pack to escape, then lands near the waiting DB5, raising the bullet proof shield to protect himself from the fast approaching gunmen before drenching them with water cannons.

Bond is then sent to Shrublands sanatorium where he uncover's SPECTRE’s plot to steal an RAF Avro Vulcan bomber loaded with the two atomic bombs. Driving the DB5 on the motorway back to London, he is attacked by a gunman in a black Ford Fairline which blows up thanks to the help of an unknown accomplice on a motorbike.

You Only Live Twice - 1967

Toyota 2000GT convertible

Regarded as Japan's first supercar, the 2000 GT was a collaborative effort between Toyota and Yamaha. With styling heavily influenced by the Jaguar XK-E (aka E-Type), the 2000GT had a 2 litre straight six engine, triple carbs and 5 speed gearbox. With 150hp and weighing under 2,500lb, the 2000GT was good for 135mph. Filmed mostly in Japan, the 2000GT was a logical choice for the Bond car in You Only Live Twice.

Only two topless 2000GTs were made specially for the film. Fitted only with tonneau covers to simulate a functioning convertible top, legend has it Sean Connery’s 6ft 2" frame was too large to sit comfortably within the production hardtop 2000GT. Two convertibles were hastily fabricated from standard hardtops only weeks before filming commenced. In the movie the 2000GT is driven only by Bond’s Japanese female companion Aki.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - 1969

Aston Martin DBS

The Australian George Lazenby made his debut as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Though his performance received a lukewarm reception at the time, the film is now considered classic Bond. Lazenby turned down the offer to do more films, opening the door for Connery’s return and later, Roger Moore. At the start of the movie we’re not only introduced to Lazenby, but to a new Aston Martin. The DBS - the last car produced by Aston Martin under the ownership of David Brown after whom the DB series had been named. With the same four litre dohc straight six as previous Aston Martins, the DBS would be the last car to feature this classic configuration.

Unlike Bond's previous car, the DBS had no gadgets other than a custom-built storage compartment in the passenger glove-box that contained the components of an Armalite AR-7 rifle. The DBS lacked the bullet-proof glass of its predecessor which proves tragic, but you’ll have to see the movie if you don’t know why...

The DBS was not used in any major action sequences, though is driven by Bond in several scenes including the ending where the car is decorated with flowers for his wedding to Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg)

Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible

When Bond is on the run in Piz Gloria without his Aston, he has to rely on his future wife Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) and her red 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible. 

The Cougars used in the film were all equipped with Ford’s 428 Cobra-Jet V8, Select Shift three-speed automatic transmission, 3.50 axle, Ram Air induction, limited-slip differential, front disc brakes, power steering and hood pins. With a power black convertible top, red leather bucket seats, center console, tilt steering and AM radio, the Cougar was about as fully optioned as was possible. Mercury 15 inch styled steel wheels and the trademark Cougar sequential rear turn signals were part of the XR-7 package.

Diamonds Are Forever - 1971

Ford Mustang Mach 1

Diamonds Are Forever features one of the most iconic car chases in Bond film history with 007 piloting a red Mustang Mach 1 sportsroof (aka fastback). Virtually all the cars destroyed during filming were Fords and there’s a reason for that: Ford offered to supply as many cars as the producers wanted, provided James Bond drove a Mustang.

For Bond, the producers chose a red Mach 1 fastback rather than a convertible. The last of the first generation Mustangs, the model seen in the film was released for 1971 and sold through to 1973, making it the last of the truly classic Mustangs. The film was also Sean Connery’s final performance in an official Eon production Bond film.

Several cars were used during shooting, with some being destroyed while attempting the famous two-wheeled stunt. Allegedly four 302 powered Mustangs tried and failed to pull off the two wheeled scenes, with the successful car being a 351 powered Mach 1. A big block 429 V8 version was also used in some scenes according to one source.

Live And Let Die - 1973

Glastron GT50 speedboat

In Roger Moore’s first foray as James Bond he uses a Glastron GT150 speedboat in a hair raising chase through the Louisiana marshes. The GT150 used for the famous jump was a 1972 model with an Evinrude Starflite 135hp engine. The GT150 completed a record-breaking 120ft jump and incredibly, after over 100 practice jumps it was only filmed once, and that’s the footage used in the movie.

Two small black rails were added to the hull to keep the boat level side to side on the ramp. To keep the boat balanced during the jump, the GT150 was modified to have the steering wheel in the center (instead of the right). Glastron built and supplied 26 boats for the film. After Bond has to leave the GT-150 behind, he continues the chase in a white and gold Glastron CV-19 Jet Speedboat.

Chevrolet Impala

The best car chase in Live and Let Die is one where James is a passenger - initially. When his driver is killed by a poison dart while driving, Bond has to take the wheel from the back seat in what is a highly entertaining chase. It’s no surprise that Chevrolet struck a deal with the production company because in these scenes every car we see is either a ‘73 Chevy Caprice or Impala in sedan or wagon bodies.

The Man With The Golden Gun - 1974

AMC Hornet

In The Man With The Golden Gun, James Bond (Roger Moore) steals an AMC Hornet 2-door hatchback from a Bangkok showroom as Sheriff J.W. Pepper - last seen in Live And Let Die - is admiring the car while on holiday in Thailand with his wife. Pepper is about to test drive the Hornet when James Bond hijacks it from the dealership to chase supervillain Scaramanga.

In the film's landmark stunt, Bond spots a collapsed bridge and does a 360 degree barrel roll over a river. The 360 V8 Hornet was heavily modified with center-mounted steering, full roll cage and cut-away front wheel arches. The famous jump was captured in just one filming sequence.

Seven tests were performed in advance before the one jump performed by uncredited British stuntman "Bumps" Williard. The stunt was inspired by jumps performed in AMC sponsored thrill shows in the USA. The 2010 Guinness World Records describes the jump as the "first astro spiral used in a movie" and lists it third among the top ten James Bond film stunts.

AMC Matador

The AMC Matador coupe belongs to Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), and along with Nick Nack (Hervé Villechaize) they use the gold Matador to kidnap Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland) and make their escape. The car transforms into a light airplane when wings and flight tail are attached, and flies "200 miles west of Bangkok" as Bond later reports to M. The actual machine was not airworthy and could only make a 500-metre (1,640 ft) flight, so a meter-long (39 inch) remote controlled scale model was used for the film's aerial sequences.

Visit our AMC-Rambler gallery for more images.

The Spy Who Loved Me - 1977

Lotus Esprit S1 - submersible

For the tenth Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, the producers wanted to out do themselves and create the most spectacular film of the series. They equipped Bond with a white Lotus Esprit S1 in a chase sequence covering land, air and water. 

The amphibious Esprit (nicknamed 'Wet Nellie' in tribute to Bond's autogyro 'Little Nellie' from You Only Live Twice), as well as being submersible was equipped with rear mounted wet cement cannons, periscope, missile launcher, mines, black dye release, and torpedoes.

Lotus delivered two street-legal vehicles for filming, one of which was converted to a camera car. Additionally, six Esprit body shells were supplied, one of which was converted into the submarine for the underwater sequences. it was actually a ‘wet sub’ meaning the driver and co-driver had to wear scuba gear, while the interior bore no resemblance to a car whatsoever.

Powered by the 2ltr Lotus 907 four-cylinder engine rated at 162hp in European trim, the stock S1 Esprit was no powerhouse. It more than made up for a lack of power with race-car like handling and agility.

Visit the Lotus gallery

Moonraker - 1979

Glastron Carlson CV23HT

No cars feature prominently in Moonraker. Eon Productions cleverly alternated between cars, boats, and submersibles from movie to movie so that stunts didn’t become repetitive. Prior to the space pyrotechnics in Moonraker, we get a stirring boat chase sequence.

James Bond pilots a Glastron Carlson CV23HT hard top speedboat. Only three CV23HTs were painted with the custom silver metal flake over gray as seen in the film. The boat in Moonraker was modified by Q-branch to include mines, torpedoes and hidden hang-glider that 007 employs to escape before the boat goes over the Iguazu Falls.

For car tragics we do see Bond riding in two cars in Moornaker, though only as a passenger. One is a vintage 1936 Hispano Suiza drophead, the other a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow long wheelbase sedan.

For Your Eyes Only - 1981

Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo

For Roger Moore's fifth role, the script called for two vehicles. On the Greek island of Corfu Bond drives a white Esprit Turbo. When the bad guys tried to break into it, it destroys itself. Then, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a copper-metallic Esprit Turbo was used.

With the amphibious Esprit having proven so popular in The Spy Who Loved Me, the production team once again selected Lotus for use by 007 in For Your Eyes Only - an Esprit S3 Turbo.

In keeping with the more serious tone of the movie, Bond's Turbo Esprit was equipped with more realistic gadgets than those used in The Spy Who Loved Me. The only gadget to appear was a self-destruct system triggered by attempts to break into the car. Early in the film, the white S3 driven by Bond in Spain is destroyed when a mercenary inadvertently trips the self-destruct system. Later in the film Q-Branch issues Bond a second Esprit for his journey to the Italian ski resort.

Initially, both cars had been painted white with red stripes and matching decals, but when production moved to Cortina, the crew discovered a darker shade would stand out better against the snowy backdrop. Consequently, one of the cars was sent back to Lotus where it was repainted bronze with golden stripes and decals. At the same time it was also fitted with custom ski racks over the rear engine compartment

Citroen 2CV

After his Lotus self-destructs, Bond is forced to escape in Melina Havelock's car. To his despair, Melina (Carole Bouquet) drives a Citroën 2CV, not quite the caliber of car Bond is used to.

Rugged and reliable, the 2CV, or Deux Chevaux, is now considered a classic that is much loved by collectors not only in its native France but around the world. Produced from 1948 to 1990 in various countries under different names, over nine million 2CV’s were manufactured.

Octopussy - 1983

Alfa Romeo GTV

Whilst an unknown woman is talking in a phone booth, Bond steals her Alfa Romedo GTV6 and heads for Octopussy's Circus, pursued by two Bavarian BMW police cars. What follows is a hair raising car chase through Berlin.

Introduced in 1972, the Alfetta GTV was a great success for Alfa Romeo, selling over 400,000 units until production finally ceased in 1987. Though most were equipped with four cylinder engines, the one stolen by 007 was a top spec 2.5 litre V6 capable of over 130mph.

Visit the Alfa Romeo gallery

Bajaj RE

The Bajaj RE is a model of auto rickshaw or Tuk Tuk commonly used as taxis in India and other Asian countries. James Bond’s partner Vijay drives the custom rickshaw through the crowded streets of Rajasthan, India. Able to rear on to its hind wheels, the customised Tuk Tuk helps Bond and Vijay escape the evil Kamal Khan in one of the more unusual Bond chase sequences.

Never Say Never Again - 1983 (unofficial Bond movie)

Yamaha XJ650 Turbo 4

The unofficial Bond movie - Never Say Never Again was not an Eon production - maker of all other Bond films. It was also Sean Connery’s first appearance as Bond since Diamonds Are Forever, and his last as 007. For the movie, James Bond is provided with a Q-branch modified Yamaha XJ650 turbo motorcycle.

With 90 hp on tap from a turbocharged 650cc dohc four cylinder engine, the Yamaha XJ650 was capable of sub-13 second quarter mile times. The heavily modified example used in Never Say Never Again is barely recognizable, painted black with a custom exhaust. It also sports retractable tire guards to protect it from car bumpers and a rocket booster that enables Bond to jump cars and waterways.

A View To A Kill - 1985

Renault Alliance

After twelve years and seven films, A View To A Kill was Roger Moore’s final outing as 007. As with Octopussy, Bond must steal a car, in this case a humble Renault 11 taxi. And it’s just as well he doesn’t use a Q-equipped Lotus or Aston Martin because 007 completely destroys the Renault as he pursues a skydiver through the streets of Paris. By the end of the chase the poor Alliance is decapitated, split in half and left to die in what is one of the more memorable Bond movie chases.

Visit the Renault gallery

1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II

A car with a close connection to the Bond film franchise, the 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II in A View to a Kill is known as CUB 1 after its original license plate; the Rolls was owned by the late Bond film producer and co-founder of Eon Productions, Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.

In the film, Bond takes a backseat in the Silver Cloud as Sir Godfrey Tibbet (Patrick Macnee) chauffeurs him to the estate of psychopath industrialist Max Zorin (Christopher Walken). Only Bond makes it out alive as the car ends up at the bottom of a lake (a second Silver Cloud II was used for the scene).

WANT MORE Click here to see our other Bond galleries and read about the James Bond cars of 1987-2021

About the author

Raph Tripp is a passionate classic car enthusiast, writer and founder of TunnelRam.net. If you wish to publish this article in part or in whole, please link to the source and credit Raph Tripp and tunnelram.net . This is an original Tunnel Ram production ©2021 Tunnel Ram. All images remain the property of the original copyright holders. Bond film copyrights