If we were the type to indulge in bad puns, we’d make more than a few stating that Bond’s BMW 750iL from
Tomorrow Never Dies
is the ultimate Q-ship. After all, it was built by a man named Q, and
like the World War II ships that inspired the term, it’s rather
dignified exterior hides a massive amount of firepower. Modifications
include a cutting cable mounted behind the front emblem and a caltrop
dispenser in the rear, but the highlight of this Beemer is the
assortment of missiles mounted in the car’s sunroof.
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Toyota 2000GT
Japan’s first true exotic car established itself on the world stage thanks to its appearance in
You Only Live Twice.
Toyota’s 2000GT remains a highly sought-after collectable thanks to its
tactile lines, technologically advanced powertrain and incredibly
limited production run. The 2000GT seen in the Bond film is even more of
a collectable -- and not just because of its gadget list.
The
2000GT was only offered as a hardtop coupe, but Toyota created two
convertible versions of the 2000GT just for the film. While Bond didn’t
actually drive the car himself (he was chauffeured by Bond girl Aki),
this Toyota can be considered a car custom-built for the man: The only
reason Toyota chopped off the roof was because Bond actor Sean Connery
couldn’t fit in the standard coupe.
“Vanish” might be a more accurate name for this Aston Martin. Seen in
Die Another Day,
this British machine packs a cloaking device seemingly ripped right off
a Klingon Bird of Prey. And if that reference makes the car seem too
nerdy, the car’s V12 engine, grille-mounted missiles and fender-mounted
machine guns instantly remind all that this Aston Martin is one
dangerous ride.
Aston Martin Vanquish
Lotus Esprit

Should you point out an Aston Martin DB5 to the casual observer, you’ll
likely get a response along the lines of, “Oh, that’s nice.” Point out a
Lotus Esprit, on the other hand, and the first thing you’ll hear is,
“That’s the car that turned into a submarine!” So while the DB5 may be
quintessential classic Bond car, it’s the wedge-shaped Esprit from
The Spy Who Loved Me that is arguably one of the most famous and iconic of all of James Bond’s rides.

Though we associate the man with European rides, one of the greatest Bond vehicles ever is the AMC Hornet from
The Man With the Golden Gun. No missiles, rocket boosters or ejector seats in this piece of American iron, just 360 cubic inches of pure muscle.
Much like the man himself, the modern Bond car abandons gadgetry in
favor of focused, athletic performance. 007’s current car, the Aston
Martin DBS, is the mechanical machination of elegantly brutal
performance. With its gunmetal skin and carbon fiber trim, this ride
conveys both refinement and intelligent strength, and it does so without
the need to resort to laser-guided missiles.
While this DBS may
lack the toys that made the old Bond cars fun, it certainly is no
slouch. This is a capable machine that can tackle a twisty Alpine road
just as confidently as it can tour grandly through Europe. The car’s 510
horsepower V12 also gives it the ability to give unwanted company the
slip in less time than it takes for a glitchy cloaking device to
activate.
This article is sponsored in part by Skyfall, in theaters November 9, 2012.