James Bond's Aston Martin Models
08th Aug 2023
James Bond and Aston Martin
Some things in life are perfect together. Fish and chips, Tom and Jerry, the UK actually having a decent summer and of course, James Bond and Aston Martin. Sure, Mr Bond has dabbled with the odd BMW, along with some other cool cars, but he always reverts back to his beloved Aston Martins.
In fact, of the twenty-five Bond films (Eon produced), more than half the films have featured Bond behind the wheel of an Aston Martin - more than any other brand.
Both Bond and Aston Martin are quintessentially British, and as matches go, it is a fine pairing. We thought we therefore should take a look at Bond's Aston Martin models which he has had over the years.
- Aston Martin DB5
- Aston Martin DBS
- Aston Martin V8 Volante/V8
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Aston Martin DBS V12
- Aston Martin DB10
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 is one of those cars that appeals to almost everyone, car enthusiast or not. It is an icon of all things British, and is perhaps one of Aston Martin's most iconic and well known cars.
Interestingly, Bond's first car was a Bentley in the James Bond novels, whilst the DB5 did not make its silver screen debut with Bond until 1964 with Goldfinger, returning in Thunderball in 1965.
Showcasing achingly beautiful 1960s styling, the DB5 had brawn to match its beauty with an all-aluminium 4.0-litre 6-cylinder engine developing 282bhp mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
After its first appearances in the mid 1960s with another legend in Sean Connery as Bond, the DB5 did not appear again until the Brosnon era, where we see the DB5 in a chase with a Ferrari F355 driven by villain Onatopp.
The DB5 goes onto appear in Tomorrow Never Dies with Brosnan, before also starring in Daniel Craig films Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die, proving the DB5 is a vital part of modern Bond's appeal.
We are certainly not complaining, and hope to see the DB5 continue to appear in Bond films for years to come.
Aston Martin DBS
In 1969, four years after the last appearance of the iconic DB5, Bond was behind the wheel of another Aston Martin in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. This time however it was the first and last time we would see Bond played by George Lazenby, along with the Aston Martin DBS as his car, again for the first and last time. Although in 1971 the DBS was seen in the background of Q's workshop in Diamonds are Forever.
As a successor to the Aston Martin DB6, the DBS (pictured above right) showcased more muscular modern styling, which was a new direction from previous 'DB' Aston Martin models.
The DBS used in the film was an early model, so used a 6-cylinder engine. Later cars got a more fitting muscular engine to match the DBS' looks in the form of a textbook V8 lump.
In 2019, a special edition (pictured above left) On Her Majesty's Secret Service DBS Superleggera model was launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film. Although this limited edition car was never a Bond car, the edition is pretty special and pays a classy tribute, along with featuring a familiar name.
Aston Martin V8 Volante/V8
After 1969, Bond did not get behind the wheel of another Aston Martin until 1987, when in The Living Daylights Bond, played by Timothy Dalton, he drove an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante.
Later in the film, Q 'winterises' the car, giving it a roof, when in reality it was a regular V8 Saloon, thus meaning Bond technically drove two Aston Martins in the film.
The eagle-eyed will notice how the Aston Martin V8 looks rather similar to the DBS used in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, even sharing a V8 engine as the chosen powerplant.
Like many Bond cars, the V8 featured modifications from Q, which included skis to further improve the car whilst on snow, heat-seeking missiles and of course, a jet-powered rocket booster - how very eighties.
The V8 makes another appearance in No Time to Die, looking achingly cool on the streets of London.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
Making use of a colossal 6.0-litre V12 engine pushing out 460bhp, the Vanquish appeared in Die Another Day, where Bond was played by Pierce Brosnan.
Bond gadgets have always been key on his cars, but it was the Vanquish which took things to the next level with the possibility of becoming invisible due to adaptive camouflage.
Unfortunately, if you want to buy a used Aston Martin Vanquish yourself, you will not be able to dodge speed cameras or congestion charges with this invisibility feature as it does not exist in real life.
The Vanquish, although a little fantasy in its gadgets, still remains a handsome Bond car.
Aston Martin DBS V12
Based on the DB9, the Aston Martin DBS V12 took the DB9's fine foundation and made it much more potent. It does share an almost identical name to the DBS from 1969 too.
Many manufacturers add flared arches, side skirts and more aggressive aero, but somehow Aston Martin still manages to make it all look incredibly handsome when they did it to the DBS V12.
Weighing 65kg less than a DB9, the DBS is more dynamic too, and with the 6.0-litre V12 reworked, it lifted power to 510bhp, there was plenty more poke for Bond to get to grips with.
With 0 to 62mph in 4.3 seconds and 191mph top speed, it certainly packs a punch. Just a shame in the film Casino Royale, Bond, played by Daniel Craig manages to cannon roll the car seven times after swerving out of the way of his love interest 'Vesper Lynd' played by Eva Green.
Either way, the DBS is one of the prettiest Bond cars in the film's history. To be honest, there has been no bad looking Aston Martin James Bond cars.
Aston Martin DB10
A car made especially for a Bond film, the DB10 is quite the statement. Only 10 were ever made, and just the one car was sold to the general public.
With Spectre coming out in 2015, the DB10 featured a carbon-fibre body, a 4.7-litre V8 engine and a driver-focused manual gearbox. It was heavenly influenced in its design by the new Aston Martin Vantage, which did not come along until years later in 2018.
A DB10 was auctioned in 2016, where a lucky buyer paid £2.4 million pounds. Bargain? With it being the only private DB10 in existence, we will let you make your mind up about that.
One thing is for sure, all the Aston Martins driven by Bond are achingly cool. You may not be able to get a DB10, or find it tough to get a DB5, but the others mentioned above are still cool, whilst tribute cars like the DBS Superlegga are also perfect for any Bond enthusiast.
Find your perfect Aston Martin with Stratstone
With official Aston Martin retailers as part of the Stratstone portfolio, we can help you find your perfect new or used Aston Martin.
We also offer expert Aston Martin aftersales services at our dedicated sites.
So, if you are after your perfect Bond car, or any other of the fantastic Aston Martin models available, contact your preferred Stratstone Aston Martin retailer today.
