James Bond: Iconic Cars & Design

There is still time to experience James Bond’s world through the petrol-fuelled prism of his cars, boats and motorcycles at London Film Museum’s Bond in Motion until March 2015. The museum has curated an exhibition previously unparalleled in the capital featuring the most iconic original vehicles from the 007 franchise, now dating back fifty years and spanning 23 movies. Arguably Bond’s most memorable car, the Lotus Esprit S1 submersible from The Spy Who Loved Me has been a hot favourite with visitors so far, and it’s in good company; expect to see the iconic Aston Martin DB5, and the Aston Martin Vanquish V12 from Die Another Day. There’s also the imposing Rolls-Royce Phantom III and a whole host of other fanciful machinery including Little Nellie, the kit-built autogyro from You Only Live Twice. With not a replica in sight, the majority of vehicles are on loan from EON productions and the Ian Fleming Foundation.

Cars are a crucial ingredient in bringing Bond’s alluring world of espionage to life, however, surprisingly they are relatively scarce in the original poster designs for the 007 movies (with the two exceptions of The Spy Who Loved Me and the French poster for Goldfinger). Bond girls, on the other hand, dominate the poster art, and while an original Bond car may be a thing of dreams, original posters are on the market to collect.

The most popular James Bond poster for the mere mortal is the original British; US posters were usually very similar copying the British design. The rarest British is the Thunderball teaser which The Gallery has sold on occasion over the years. The most covetable Bond star is Sean Connery and of all Bond posters, American door panels are the most sought at the top of the collectors market. Door panels usually come is sets of 4 and the challenge of finding a complete set in mint condition is rare indeed. The Gallery has had door panel collections in the past including From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, but the fact that they have come to us rarely highlights how few exist. Another incredibly rare design is the Style B hand design of the British Goldfinger poster, not great looking but very rare, this piece was designed for Catholic use and omitted the iconic Bond girl in bikini replacing it with a more socially acceptable hand. Few were very few produced and so few remain today.

Bond in Motion can by found at London Film Musem, 45 Wellington St, London WC2E 7BN, for details visit www.londonfilmmuseum.com

View our range of original Bond posters and lobby posters currently at the Gallery.

If you want to source a particular Bond poster, contact us and we can assist.