bond cars (ranked)

Despite yesterday’s post, everyone knows that the best part about Bond films are the gadgets. And, no Bond gadgets are cooler than the cars. So, as we build up to Casino Royale (official site, trailer) tomorrow, I present the 5 coolest Bond cars of all time:

#5 Toyota 2000 GT convertible - You Only Live Twice

One of only two 2000 GT convertibles ever produced, this early Japanese sport cars has gorgeous lines. It was lacking in gadgetry – it’s best trick was a TV screen for communication – but it makes up for this in rarity. More about the Toyota 2000 here and here and here.

#4 Aston Martin V8 Volante – The Living Daylights

Bond belongs in an Aston Martin, and Q made sure this V8 Volante had the gadgets to keep him safe. Bullet-proof glass, fireproof body, guided missiles, jet engine booster rocket, convertible ice tires, snow skis hidden in the door sills, laser-cutting devices in the wheel hubs and a self-destruct mechanism are just some of its goodies. Learn more about this Bond ride here and here.

#3 Aston Martin V-12 Vanquish – Die Another Day

Even the causal fan knows that no 007 Aston Martin would be complete without it's special equipment. The seductive Vanquish featured in Die Another Day offered a camouflage device that enables invisibility, two machine guns mounted behind a retractable grille, heat-seeking missiles and studded tires engineered for driving on a frozen lake. Oh yeah, it also had a Passenger ejector seat. Read more about the Vanquish here and here and here.

#2 Lotus Esprit – The Spy Who Loved Me

Arguably the best Bond car of all time, and certainly one that I will never forget. Thanks to Q’s wizardry, this Lotus transforms into a submarine. It is also equipped with a rear liquid concrete sprayer and underwater depth-charges and sea-to air missile launchers. Did I mention that it transforms into a sub?! Details on the Lotus here and here

#1 Aston Martin DB5 - Goldfinger, Thunderball and GoldenEye

It was close, but I am a traditionalist. I played with the Corgi car too often as a child and I still love the tire slashing wheel hubs. The DB5 sported .30 caliber Browning machine guns, an oil-slick dispenser, smoke screen capability, bullet-proof shields, revolving number license plates, a radar screen for tracking enemies, taillights that drop nails, and, of course, and ejector seat. Oh, its glove box was refrigerated and equipped with a bottle of Bollinger. Get the lowdown on the most famous Bond car here and here and here and here.

Bonus link: Wikipedia’s definitive list of Bond vehicles

11/20 Update: I saw Casino Royal today, and it is excellent. A review would result in Bond overload, but believe the hype. Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery, and Eva Green is a worthy companion, every bit as smart and tough as the spymaster himself.