Press

Press - The Living Daylights (1987)

"James Bond Is Back In An Aston"

Article in "Motor" Magazine, Wednesday, October 8th, 1986.
(Vol. 171, No. 4378)

James Bond Is Back In An Aston

SECRET agent 007 - the irrepressible James Bond - is driving an Aston Martin once again. Although the ficticious character has used Louts, Saab and Bentley cars in movies and books in recent years, the Aston Martin DB5 which featured in the Goldfinger film is the one most people remember.

The new James Bond - actor Timothy Dalton - will use a Volante in the next film, The Living Daylights. Aston Martin chairman, Victor Gauntlett, said this week: "It is a superb coup for us because the publicity involved is quite exceptional. Everybody remembers the DB5 with all its specail equipment and gismos; well, the latest Bond car will be even more remarkable, although I cannot reveal just what features it will have built in."

The idea to provide a £73,000 Volante almost sparked off a new career for Mr. Gauntlett - for director Cubby Broccoli not only negotiated the car deal but also offered the Aston boss a part in the film! "Sadly it was not as James Bond, but as a KGB general," Mr. Gauntlett revealed. "I would have loved to have done it but really could not afford the time."

Filming started this week and is scheduled for completion next summer. Although Bond will use the convertible Volante there will also be a switch to a fixed head Aston saloon at one stage, to make it look as though the car can automatically switch from summer to winter roles.

Mr. Gauntlett said: "When James Bond drove the DB5 it just had to be the greatest piece of PR for any car in the world. We are very pleased with the deal we have agreed with the film for Aston Martin."

While negotiating the deal, Mr. Gauntlett also sold a Volante to Cubby Broccoli for his personal use in America.