Aston Martin - again?

M 'n' M

I know that it's a sensitive subject, but is anyone else a little bored of the obsession with the Aston Martin brand? The model used in Goldfinger was, of course, a stone cold classic shape, but even then it's not beyond criticism - as it was the real start of "gadget" Bond. Through the years, I was underwhelmed by the AM in The Living Daylights, didn't overly rate Pierce's version in Goldeneye and don't get me started on the invisible version in DAD. Most of all, it seems strange that at this stage of the series - when the producers are emphasising new / original / exciting / back to the books - they keep returning to Aston Martin.

Or is it just me?

Thunderpussy

I love them :x can't afford one never will
but I can live through Bond. ) so for me keep
those AMs coming. {[]

Firemass

M n M wrote:

new / original / exciting / back to the books - they keep returning to Aston Martin.

Short answer: In the books Bond drives a battleship grey Aston Martin DB III with several modifications.

Source:

In Fleming's Goldfinger novel, "Bond had been offered the Aston Martin or the Jaguar 3.4. He had taken the D.B. III. Either of the cars would have suited his cover--a-well-to-do, rather adventurous young man with a taste for the good, the fast things of life. But the D.B. III had the advantage of an up-to-sate triptyque, an inconspicuous colour--battleship grey--and certain extras which might or might not come in handy."

welshboy78

I guess you could say the same about Omega. Its all about the money

Asp9mm

Well I'm in the camp that says Bond should drive the Bentley and wear a Rolex as Fleming intended. But at least as far as the novels go he still does.

Sir Miles

M n M wrote:

I know that it's a sensitive subject, but is anyone else a little bored of the obsession with the Aston Martin brand? The model used in Goldfinger was, of course, a stone cold classic shape, but even then it's not beyond criticism - as it was the real start of "gadget" Bond. Through the years, I was underwhelmed by the AM in The Living Daylights, didn't overly rate Pierce's version in Goldeneye and don't get me started on the invisible version in DAD. Most of all, it seems strange that at this stage of the series - when the producers are emphasising new / original / exciting / back to the books - they keep returning to Aston Martin.

Or is it just me?

Yep...just you

The Domino Effect

A Bond film without the Aston Martin is like one without the iconic Bond theme music: it's just not a proper Bond. I would settle for a Bentley because they make beautiful cars and they feature in the books, but nothing else.

Grazmeister

I hated them using BMW..nothing against German brands or the cars themselves but its a brand that somehow seemed too obtainable to the common man (even if all you can afford is a crappy old one lol). That said who didn't love the Lotus in TSWLM? So maybe there is room for some flexibility in this department. I'm no expert on cars though so I have no idea of suitable models! Hello everyone btw..

AlphaOmegaSin

The Aston Martin never appeared in any of the Moore Films. Are they not proper Bonds?

M 'n' M

Sir Miles wrote:

M n M wrote:

I know that it's a sensitive subject, but is anyone else a little bored of the obsession with the Aston Martin brand? The model used in Goldfinger was, of course, a stone cold classic shape, but even then it's not beyond criticism - as it was the real start of "gadget" Bond. Through the years, I was underwhelmed by the AM in The Living Daylights, didn't overly rate Pierce's version in Goldeneye and don't get me started on the invisible version in DAD. Most of all, it seems strange that at this stage of the series - when the producers are emphasising new / original / exciting / back to the books - they keep returning to Aston Martin.

Or is it just me?

Yep...just you

Wow - when you've been chastised by Sir Miles you know you're in trouble! Still - I'll try to fight my corner a bit more. I love the fact that Aston Martin represents British motoring, but one of the great things about the Lotus Esprit/s was that it kept things fresh, but still kept the British connection. So, why have Jaguar never been represented? Or maybe a Morgan?

Sir Miles

I wouldn't have a problem with Jaguar or Bentley...but I do prefer Aston Martin for Bond....I'd rather they stuck with the DBS rather than this new DB10...

Thunderpussy

But not a Morgan sorry, they looked old in the 30s. although
Only the deal with AM worked out, Bond could have had a Jag in
Goldfinger.

DEFIANT 74205

Firemass wrote:

M n M wrote:

new / original / exciting / back to the books - they keep returning to Aston Martin.

Short answer: In the books Bond drives a battleship grey Aston Martin DB III with several modifications.

Source:

In Fleming's Goldfinger novel, "Bond had been offered the Aston Martin or the Jaguar 3.4. He had taken the D.B. III. Either of the cars would have suited his cover--a-well-to-do, rather adventurous young man with a taste for the good, the fast things of life. But the D.B. III had the advantage of an up-to-sate triptyque, an inconspicuous colour--battleship grey--and certain extras which might or might not come in handy."

That was the company car. His personal cars have always been Bentleys.

Bond drove a battleship grey Bentley 1933 4.5 Litre blower up to the car chase in the book Moonraker, then bought a Bentley Mark IV with his winnings, also battleship grey (Fleming must have an affinity for that colour). His next car was a Bentley R-Type Continental with the 4.9 litre engine and a custom drophead body.

Bentley is the original Bond car, and I would like to see Bond back in a Bentley for the films.

Thunderpussy

For me, so long as Bond is in a high end motor I'm happy. )
Sadly I never counted the BMWs as high end

Dutchfinger

The Domino Effect wrote:

A Bond film without the Aston Martin is like one without the iconic Bond theme music: it's just not a proper Bond. I would settle for a Bentley because they make beautiful cars and they feature in the books, but nothing else.

That's quite a harsh statement though isn't it? There are more Bond movies without an Aston Martin than there are with one. And a lot of those movies are great Bond movies! I do agree it's an iconic thing, and I'm glad to see that new DB10 will be featured in Spectre. But still, I can hardly call The Spy Who Loved Me 'not a proper Bond movie'. Just to name one...

Moore Than

Grazmeister wrote:

That said who didn't love the Lotus in TSWLM? So maybe there is room for some flexibility in this department. I'm no expert on cars though so I have no idea of suitable models!

Yes, love the Lotus Esprit, so agree there is room for flexibility. But I really like the modern Aston Martin design, so I have no problem at all with Bond driving the DB10. Just wish I could drive it myself.

always shaken

Asp9mm wrote:

Well I'm in the camp that says Bond should drive the Bentley and wear a Rolex as Fleming intended. But at least as far as the novels go he still does.

im in your camp ASP 9MM

Thunderpussy

I don't think you should be calling Asp9mm " Camp", AS ! )

AlphaOmegaSin

That's Higgins Job )

Asp9mm

Being in my camp is great. No Bondtoyses or Higginses allowed.

jan old skool

always shaken wrote:

Asp9mm wrote:

Well I'm in the camp that says Bond should drive the Bentley and wear a Rolex as Fleming intended. But at least as far as the novels go he still does.

im in your camp ASP 9MM

Here is another supporter. I drive a BMW great car but Bond should drive an English car and by preference Bentley. Keep him as close to the Bond of books as possible. And in god's name no Saab

The Domino Effect

Dutchfinger wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

A Bond film without the Aston Martin is like one without the iconic Bond theme music: it's just not a proper Bond. I would settle for a Bentley because they make beautiful cars and they feature in the books, but nothing else.

That's quite a harsh statement though isn't it? There are more Bond movies without an Aston Martin than there are with one. And a lot of those movies are great Bond movies! I do agree it's an iconic thing, and I'm glad to see that new DB10 will be featured in Spectre. But still, I can hardly call The Spy Who Loved Me 'not a proper Bond movie'. Just to name one...

I should have added "since the return of the Aston Martin to the films." I don't mind Bond driving a number of different cars in a film, but if he has one personal car, I think it needs be an Aston Martin (or a Bentley). I have to agree with others who have said that they hated the BMW. Nothing against the brand either, but it just felt wrong to me...much the same as if Bond walked up to a bar and ordered "...a shandy, half 7-Up, half Budweiser, on ice with a twist of lime" (yeah I know, he's come close!)

Bleuville

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

The Aston Martin never appeared in any of the Moore Films. Are they not proper Bonds?

Usually in previous films Bond has pinched someone else's car, or in America drive a USA car like the Ford Mustang Mach 1 in DAF.
He's had a Sunbeam Alpine, Toyota 2000 GT, Lotus Esprit, Alfa Romeo GTV and
Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. It should be something sporty and fast.
He went old American in Havana in DAD.

I think an Aston could feature in every other Bond film, not continuously every film.
but as they take 3 years to make a new film, this gives time for a new Aston model to appear, and it keeps Corgi Toys profitable!

Bleuville.

Bleuville

Bleuville wrote:

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

The Aston Martin never appeared in any of the Moore Films. Are they not proper Bonds?

Usually in previous films Bond has pinched someone else's car, or in America drive a USA car like the Ford Mustang Mach 1 in DAF.
He's had a Sunbeam Alpine, Toyota 2000 GT, Lotus Esprit, Alfa Romeo GTV and
Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. It should be something sporty and fast.
He went old American in Havana in DAD.

I think an Aston could feature in every other Bond film, not continuously every film.
but as they take 3 years to make a new film, this gives time for a new Aston model to appear, and it keeps Corgi Toys profitable!

... and are we talking fantasy or reality. I don't think a senior civil servant could afford a Bentley. Book Bond's was a 1930s model because Bentley were sucessful then.
How about a white Jaguar F-Type? that's stylish.

Bleuville.


Bleuville.