Cars Built For The World’s Smoothest Spy
When James Bond takes the wheel, it’s never just about getting from one chase scene to the next. His cars redefine cool—brimming with secret technology that always feels one step ahead of his adversaries. Over six decades, these machines have turned ordinary drives into cinematic legends, each equipped with something that makes them truly stand out. Join us as we celebrate not only the most elegant Bond cars but also the ingenious touches that made them unforgettable. Let’s begin with the cars themselves.
1. 1964 Aston Martin DB5
Four DB5s made movie history in Goldfinger—two for filming and two for promotion. Built between 1963 and 1965 by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, the sleek design turned Bond’s ride into an instant icon. By 2013, even the Royal Mail honored it with a stamp.
2. 1976 Lotus Esprit S1 “Wet Nellie”
From custom prop to movie legend, the “Wet Nellie”, a modified Lotus Esprit S1 that turned into a submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me, captured fans everywhere. Its fame lived on when Elon Musk bought it in 2013 for his private collection.
Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA on Wikimedia
3. 1935 Bentley 3½ Liter
Bentley Motors released the 3½ Liter in 1933 and built just 1,177 before stopping in 1937. Known as the “Silent Sports Car,” it might’ve been forgotten until Ian Fleming gave it to Bond in his novels, making it an automotive legend forever.
4. 1973 Aston Martin V8
Bond’s Aston Martin V8 roared back in No Time to Die after first dazzling fans in The Living Daylights. The 5.3-liter powerhouse wasn’t just fast—it came with skis and missiles, ready to handle any icy mission in true 007 style.
5. 2015 Aston Martin DB10
Ten cars, one film, and a £2.4 million ($3 million) auction marked the Aston Martin DB10’s story. Built just for Specter in 2015, this sleek machine inspired the future Aston Martin Vantage with its striking and modern design.
6. 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7
The 1969 Cougar XR-7 packed a 351-cubic-inch V8 and dressed it up with leather seats and wood trim. It proved its class and strength when Tracy di Vicenzo raced it through the dangerous Swiss Alps in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
7. 1967 Toyota 2000GT
Japan’s first supercar, the Toyota 2000GT, was modified for You Only Live Twice in 1967. Because Sean Connery was too tall for the coupe, Toyota simply removed the roof—creating just two convertibles ever. It became a symbol of smooth Bond innovation.
8. Land Rover Series III
The Land Rover Series III rolled out 440,000 units between 1971 and 1985. Long before Bond used it, the model was already a legend. Its proven durability made it the perfect partner for the action scenes in No Time to Die.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
9. 1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo
The 1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo showed up twice in For Your Eyes Only—one sleek copper model and one white version that blew itself up. Both proved how powerful Lotus’s new 2.2-liter turbo engine was, even when spy gadgets got in the way.
Detectandpreserve on Wikimedia
10. 2007 Aston Martin DBS V12
Making a grand entrance, the Aston Martin DBS V12 flipped seven times in Casino Royale, breaking a world record. Under all that stunt magic was a 6.0-liter V12 engine pushing 510 horsepower, which proved Bond’s cars are as thrilling as his missions.
The cars were only half the thrill—what really made them legendary were the jaw-dropping gadgets hidden inside.
1. Revolving License Plates
Before digital tricks ruled spy tech, the Aston Martin DB5’s mechanical genius wowed fans in Goldfinger. Q Branch’s clever revolving license plates switched between BMT 216A, 4711-EA-62, and LU 6789, giving Bond instant cover and setting a new standard for stealthy car gadgets.
2. Built-In Flotation / Submarine Conversion Mode
With danger closing in, Bond triggered the Lotus Esprit S1’s wildest feature—a transformation into a working submarine. When the car sank beneath the surface, the airtight cabin transformed it into Bond’s perfect underwater getaway.
The Spy Who Loved Me Movie CLIP - Can You Swim? (1977) HD by Movieclips
3. Smoke Screen Exhaust
Debuting in Goldfinger, the smoke screen exhaust was a true Q Branch masterpiece. Activated by a dashboard button, it released thick smoke to help Bond escape pursuit. The feature became so iconic that it appeared again and again in later Bond films.
4. Retractable Tire-Slashers
The DB5’s shiny wheel hubs looked refined but hid something deadly—retractable tire-slashers. With one quick move, elegance turned into destruction. Bond used them perfectly, slicing through Tilly Masterson’s car tires and proving beauty and danger often share the same ride.
GOLDFINGER | Aston Martin DB5 by James Bond 007
5. Ejector Passenger Seat
That ordinary gear lever hid Bond’s boldest trick: a red button that launched the passenger seat high into the air. A removable roof panel made it possible, and Bond proved Q’s warning right by using it only when absolutely necessary.
GOLDFINGER - EJECTOR SEAT by James Bond 007
6. Hidden Machine Guns Beneath Front Wing
Fitting machine guns into the DB5’s sleek body wasn’t easy, but Q Branch nailed it. Twin Browning guns hid behind the front lights, staying invisible until activated. Whenever Bond needed them, they emerged instantly and were perfectly disguised within pure Aston style.
Doom James Bond's BulletProof Car's Gatling Gun | No Time To Die by Unsorted Learning
7. Remote-Control Start/Driverless Operation
When Tomorrow Never Dies featured a BMW 750iL driven entirely by cellphone, it changed everything. This remote-control breakthrough let Bond drive and escape safely from a distance—a clever evolution of earlier gadgets that only hinted at true driverless power.
TOMORROW NEVER DIES | BMW Car Chase – Pierce Brosnan | James Bond by James Bond 007
8. Adaptive Camouflage / Cloaking Bodywork
Making a car disappear seemed impossible—until Q Branch tackled it. The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish used adaptive camouflage that blended with its surroundings. It wasn’t true invisibility, but the illusion worked so well it felt like real-life sci-fi on wheels.
Aston Martin Vanquish Vs Jaguar XKR in James Bond car chase scene. by Makina
9. Mini Mines / Cluster-Bomb Dispenser
The BMW 750iL’s metal spike and mini-mine systems modernized Bond’s defense game. Inspired by the DB5’s early gadgets, this upgrade let 007 stop enemies by deploying button-activated explosives from the trunk that scattered chaos and kept his escape route clear.
Doom James Bond's BulletProof Car's Gatling Gun | No Time To Die by Unsorted Learning
10. On-Board Radar / Tracking Dashboard Display
In Goldfinger, the DB5’s radar-tracking dashboard predicted the future of car tech. Shown by Q himself, the system helped Bond follow enemy vehicles using planted homing devices—basically an early form of GPS decades before it became a real thing.
