Here's another story from when I had a brush with a 007 Aston Martin:
JOINING THE BOND BLU-RELAY ON IT'S TRAVELS
Back in 2012 the the James Bond film series were finally going to be available on Blu-Ray. There was a special country-wide promotional tour to coincide with their release. Because of this I got to see a couple of the people who helped make Bond Movie Magic as well as a Bondmobile and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a James Bond feature for television.
Here is the original press release about the Bond Blu-Ray Relay:
Sir Roger Moore made the announcement last Friday that the first copy of the Bond 50 On Blu-Ray box set would embark on a seven day tour of Great Britain from September 17th-24th to celebrate the release of all 22 Bond films on Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
This year marks the Golden Anniversary of James Bond on film and the seven-time Bond star unveiled the gold briefcase that will travel the length of the country in an Aston Martin DBS featured in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. Alongside Moore, it will also be carried by other 007 icons including iconic Bond girls Britt Ekland, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet and Eunice Gayson, classic villain Richard Kiel (Jaws) and legendary director John Glen.
From Scotland with love, the golden case will retrace the super-spy’s footsteps, with the first ever Bond girl Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench – DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE) starting the digital timer at Eilean Donan Castle in the western highlands, which doubled as the British Secret Service HQ in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.
It will then travel the length of the country and each location will be presented with a commemorative gold disc celebrating their part in 007’s 50-year history, with other stop-offs including Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, home of many unforgettable Bond moments, and Nene Valley Railway in Peterborough, where Bond stunt performers will run with the case along a moving train celebrating the classic Bond action scene in OCTOPUSSY, introduced by John Glen, who directed five classic Bond instalments.
After seven days of adventure, the golden case will arrive at the HMV store on Oxford Street in Central London at 10.07am on September 24th. Britt Ekland and Richard Kiel will hand-deliver it with the Aston Martin DBS stopping in front of the store, welcomed by Britain’s biggest Bond fans.
Now I live about an hour and a half away from Peterborough and as I wasn't working on the day the tour was due to reach the Nene Valley Railway I thought it would make for a good road-trip for my young son and me to go and see what 007 related things we could see. After all - the worst thing would be that we would get to go and see some of the locations where Octopussy was filmed.
On arriving at the train station we had our first experience with a Bond location as we had to cross the level crossing where Bond, in his commandeered Mercedes joins the train tracks to go in pursuit of the bomb carrying Octopussy's Circus train.
After we parked the car and walked across the road to the train station. It was there that we were greeted by 72 GH3LD - the Aston Martin DBS that featured in the thrilling fast paced pre-credits of Quantum of Solace.
There was a man who was accompanying the car on it's journey and he was kind enough to let me get up close to the car to take lots of photo's. He was also very kind when I came close to having a heart-attack as my 2 year old son had put a nice cheese spread hand print on the bonnet of the car whilst we were having a bite to eat. The bloke just said he'd seen worse ( I dread to think what that could be) and got some car polish out of the boot and wiped it away. Whilst he did that I had a look in the boot and Mr White wasn't in there!
As we spent time walking around the platform at the station I noticed 3 people who looked familiar to me. The first was John Glen who had worked on the Bond films as an Editor and 2nd Unit Director before being promoted to Director of For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View To A Kill, The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill.
The second person was stuntman Paul Weston who has worked on many bond films as both stunt performer and co-ordinator and supervisor. Amongst his many scenes in the Bond movies Paul had the unenviable task of doubling for actor Robert Davi in the Licence To Kill scene where Franz Sanchez meets his fiery demise.
The third person was Angelica Bell - who is a British TV presenter who has appeared in a number of different TV shows including CBBC, Celebrity Masterchef and The One Show.
Talking to the staff at the Nene Valley and those who were there filming the actions I was able to find out that the film crew were filming scenes for The One Show - who were doing a feature about the importance of stunts in the 007 film series. As you can see from the below photo's a lot of time and effort was going into filming scenes where it appeared Angelica was fighting stunt men Marc Cass and Paul Lee Sheward, who were trying to attack her at various places around the train station. She appeared to have made good her escape - until she ended up in the hands of Paul Weston - who wasn't taking any prisoners that day!
Watching the filming of these scenes - and seeing the preparation and precautions that were taken in filming these stunts gave me a new appreciation of the stunt industry and the men and women who put their lives in danger to entertain us. What takes a few seconds on screen must take many hours in preparing the stunts and ensuring that there are no injuries to those who brave enough to step into the firing line.
It also gave me an insight into filming and I realised just how much time goes into filming something. After all as you'll see from the below footage the entire days filming (I spent about 3 and a half hours there watching them filming and they'd already started when we got there), ends up being edited into a few minutes. I guess that's showbiz.
So here's the clips from The One Show also showing Bond Fan David Walliams battle to win a set of Bond Blu-Ray's prior to their release whilst promoting his new book:
I think a slatted front lower grill kit will appear quickly too. Either from Aston Martin themselves or something aftermarket such as The Vantage Collection. Then, it'll look far more familiar...
Do we think the lower pic is an improvement or not?
Yep I do too
In fairness, when you view from normal angle, ie standing, its way less visible as it kinda tucks under...
Looks great in darker colours.
Aston is trying to differentiate its models. Whilst I adore my dbs, that era had a family look. Hence why most traditional AM owners look at db11 / new Vantage with a wrinkled brow, but we'll all love that new direction and look soon (always growers), but the porsche / lambo / prancer drivers love it (in the main), which is I guess what AM is aiming for
David. I had the DBS ceramic coated too, night and day appearance and then of course the added protection plus too...,
For your v8v I personally think keep the looks / lines. I always shy'd away from it as the lines of the v1 are sublime... Whilst Aston improved the car I always felt my later v8v lost its looks with the bodywork add ons etc. More imposing - yes. Less beautiful - definitely...
Things like carbon sill guards and the carbon gear lever surround add some tasteful individualisation tho.
Clutch and flywheel upgrades are a big plus to driveability / longevity too (sorry for so many ility big words)...
If you have any questions, Mike at Bamford Rose in the uk is extremely helpful and knowledgable re perf and handling.
And of course Pistonheads for a forum based bunch of loons )
Thank you so much...no more mods to the outside or inside for me...the other aspects will be very subtle, hidden Easter eggs, so to speak. :007)
I know its just a special effect but you could have the flamethrower or rear gun installed like in the DB10 from Spectre. Its the perfect hidden Easter egg and it would keep pesky tailgaters away so to me its a win/win!
Heres a pic of the carbon gear surround. My later v8v had the interior black pack, so the chrome surround stood out too much...
You should have bought a mustang gt ( pale imitation) if you wanted a gt car with the steering wheel on the WRONG side
You may even discover that your new car can deal with corners ( when the road isn't straight)
Heres a pic of the carbon gear surround. My later v8v had the interior black pack, so the chrome surround stood out too much...
You should have bought a mustang gt ( pale imitation) if you wanted a gt car with the steering wheel on the WRONG side
You may even discover that your new car can deal with corners ( when the road isn't straight)
I don't want to alarm you, but someone put your steering wheel on the wrong side! (ducks...awaits the inevitable onslaught)....
You should have bought a mustang gt ( pale imitation) if you wanted a gt car with the steering wheel on the WRONG side
You may even discover that your new car can deal with corners ( when the road isn't straight)
)
I actually quite like the new mustangs but AM is an entirely different animal., I was lucky enough to watch some being put through their paces earlier in the year.
Don’t dis the Stang, my new MY18 is on order, to replace my MY15. It is my daily drive and is a lot of fun, haven’t quite accumulated the wonga for an Aston yet.
Not overly enamored with the Triple Coat Yellow so have opted for the new Orange Fury on the next one.
And yes the steering wheel is on the correct side.
Heres a pic of the carbon gear surround. My later v8v had the interior black pack, so the chrome surround stood out too much...
Haha
I believe a British made car should be rhd my friend
I still miss using my left hand for gear changes. Much rather have my strong hand on the wheel, and left changing gears but have adjusted over time. Hard to shake how you grow up.
Dont wait for your ship to come in. Swim out and meet the bloody thing.
Ditto
At least Andy at AM understands and promises to keep the manual alive
That pic was my old v8v
Dbs is tt
Easier, faster and Def cheaper to run, but not quite as involving
Don’t dis the Stang, my new MY18 is on order, to replace my MY15. It is my daily drive and is a lot of fun, haven’t quite accumulated the wonga for an Aston yet.
Not overly enamored with the Triple Coat Yellow so have opted for the new Orange Fury on the next one.
And yes the steering wheel is on the correct side.
They are a remarkable car for the money, and I see quite a few about up here, I won't miss you in that next time I'm down that way wishing my parents.
Don’t dis the Stang, my new MY18 is on order, to replace my MY15. It is my daily drive and is a lot of fun, haven’t quite accumulated the wonga for an Aston yet.
Not overly enamored with the Triple Coat Yellow so have opted for the new Orange Fury on the next one.
And yes the steering wheel is on the correct side.
..and you are mocking my green trainers 8-)
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
So as this thread took a turn in to all things automobile I thought id post some pics of the new V8V and my thoughts after attending the AM Newcastle model launch night...
Firstly the car is stunning in the flesh... The fish mouth is very different when in person, Stephen placed a number plate on to it and it really does break it up well.
The car has lots of interesting detail, you notice something new every time you circle it...
Interior wise its a step forward, but somehow didnt gel for me, maybe to do with the "caramac" impersonation...
Will it sell, the looks the noise and the power will do that...
For me the front isnt my favourite but the back is awesome, the interior is fiddly but well made.
After convincing Mrs R another dbs made sense, would I trade it in for the Vantage, err nope!!!
And the DBS still pulled the crowd in the car park before the drive home...
Comments
JOINING THE BOND BLU-RELAY ON IT'S TRAVELS
Back in 2012 the the James Bond film series were finally going to be available on Blu-Ray. There was a special country-wide promotional tour to coincide with their release. Because of this I got to see a couple of the people who helped make Bond Movie Magic as well as a Bondmobile and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a James Bond feature for television.
Here is the original press release about the Bond Blu-Ray Relay:
Sir Roger Moore made the announcement last Friday that the first copy of the Bond 50 On Blu-Ray box set would embark on a seven day tour of Great Britain from September 17th-24th to celebrate the release of all 22 Bond films on Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
This year marks the Golden Anniversary of James Bond on film and the seven-time Bond star unveiled the gold briefcase that will travel the length of the country in an Aston Martin DBS featured in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. Alongside Moore, it will also be carried by other 007 icons including iconic Bond girls Britt Ekland, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet and Eunice Gayson, classic villain Richard Kiel (Jaws) and legendary director John Glen.
From Scotland with love, the golden case will retrace the super-spy’s footsteps, with the first ever Bond girl Eunice Gayson (Sylvia Trench – DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE) starting the digital timer at Eilean Donan Castle in the western highlands, which doubled as the British Secret Service HQ in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.
It will then travel the length of the country and each location will be presented with a commemorative gold disc celebrating their part in 007’s 50-year history, with other stop-offs including Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, home of many unforgettable Bond moments, and Nene Valley Railway in Peterborough, where Bond stunt performers will run with the case along a moving train celebrating the classic Bond action scene in OCTOPUSSY, introduced by John Glen, who directed five classic Bond instalments.
After seven days of adventure, the golden case will arrive at the HMV store on Oxford Street in Central London at 10.07am on September 24th. Britt Ekland and Richard Kiel will hand-deliver it with the Aston Martin DBS stopping in front of the store, welcomed by Britain’s biggest Bond fans.
************************************************************************************************
Now I live about an hour and a half away from Peterborough and as I wasn't working on the day the tour was due to reach the Nene Valley Railway I thought it would make for a good road-trip for my young son and me to go and see what 007 related things we could see. After all - the worst thing would be that we would get to go and see some of the locations where Octopussy was filmed.
On arriving at the train station we had our first experience with a Bond location as we had to cross the level crossing where Bond, in his commandeered Mercedes joins the train tracks to go in pursuit of the bomb carrying Octopussy's Circus train.
After we parked the car and walked across the road to the train station. It was there that we were greeted by 72 GH3LD - the Aston Martin DBS that featured in the thrilling fast paced pre-credits of Quantum of Solace.
There was a man who was accompanying the car on it's journey and he was kind enough to let me get up close to the car to take lots of photo's. He was also very kind when I came close to having a heart-attack as my 2 year old son had put a nice cheese spread hand print on the bonnet of the car whilst we were having a bite to eat. The bloke just said he'd seen worse ( I dread to think what that could be) and got some car polish out of the boot and wiped it away. Whilst he did that I had a look in the boot and Mr White wasn't in there!
As we spent time walking around the platform at the station I noticed 3 people who looked familiar to me. The first was John Glen who had worked on the Bond films as an Editor and 2nd Unit Director before being promoted to Director of For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View To A Kill, The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill.
The second person was stuntman Paul Weston who has worked on many bond films as both stunt performer and co-ordinator and supervisor. Amongst his many scenes in the Bond movies Paul had the unenviable task of doubling for actor Robert Davi in the Licence To Kill scene where Franz Sanchez meets his fiery demise.
The third person was Angelica Bell - who is a British TV presenter who has appeared in a number of different TV shows including CBBC, Celebrity Masterchef and The One Show.
Talking to the staff at the Nene Valley and those who were there filming the actions I was able to find out that the film crew were filming scenes for The One Show - who were doing a feature about the importance of stunts in the 007 film series. As you can see from the below photo's a lot of time and effort was going into filming scenes where it appeared Angelica was fighting stunt men Marc Cass and Paul Lee Sheward, who were trying to attack her at various places around the train station. She appeared to have made good her escape - until she ended up in the hands of Paul Weston - who wasn't taking any prisoners that day!
Watching the filming of these scenes - and seeing the preparation and precautions that were taken in filming these stunts gave me a new appreciation of the stunt industry and the men and women who put their lives in danger to entertain us. What takes a few seconds on screen must take many hours in preparing the stunts and ensuring that there are no injuries to those who brave enough to step into the firing line.
It also gave me an insight into filming and I realised just how much time goes into filming something. After all as you'll see from the below footage the entire days filming (I spent about 3 and a half hours there watching them filming and they'd already started when we got there), ends up being edited into a few minutes. I guess that's showbiz.
So here's the clips from The One Show also showing Bond Fan David Walliams battle to win a set of Bond Blu-Ray's prior to their release whilst promoting his new book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UvO03VrCtY
And here is footage from 007.com showing the Blu-Relay, including the Aston Martin at the Nene Valley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWZ-jsFSh14
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
Many people will think the former grille is better and I bet a kit will be made quickly.
Think the new design will grow on us over time though.
Yep I do too
In fairness, when you view from normal angle, ie standing, its way less visible as it kinda tucks under...
Looks great in darker colours.
Aston is trying to differentiate its models. Whilst I adore my dbs, that era had a family look. Hence why most traditional AM owners look at db11 / new Vantage with a wrinkled brow, but we'll all love that new direction and look soon (always growers), but the porsche / lambo / prancer drivers love it (in the main), which is I guess what AM is aiming for
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
I prefer the lower pic.
The front of the new Vantage puts me off.
For your v8v I personally think keep the looks / lines. I always shy'd away from it as the lines of the v1 are sublime... Whilst Aston improved the car I always felt my later v8v lost its looks with the bodywork add ons etc. More imposing - yes. Less beautiful - definitely...
Things like carbon sill guards and the carbon gear lever surround add some tasteful individualisation tho.
Clutch and flywheel upgrades are a big plus to driveability / longevity too (sorry for so many ility big words)...
If you have any questions, Mike at Bamford Rose in the uk is extremely helpful and knowledgable re perf and handling.
And of course Pistonheads for a forum based bunch of loons
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
I know its just a special effect but you could have the flamethrower or rear gun installed like in the DB10 from Spectre. Its the perfect hidden Easter egg and it would keep pesky tailgaters away so to me its a win/win!
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
Haha
I believe a British made car should be rhd my friend
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
You may even discover that your new car can deal with corners ( when the road isn't straight)
I actually quite like the new mustangs but AM is an entirely different animal., I was lucky enough to watch some being put through their paces earlier in the year.
Not overly enamored with the Triple Coat Yellow so have opted for the new Orange Fury on the next one.
And yes the steering wheel is on the correct side.
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
At least Andy at AM understands and promises to keep the manual alive
That pic was my old v8v
Dbs is tt
Easier, faster and Def cheaper to run, but not quite as involving
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
They are a remarkable car for the money, and I see quite a few about up here, I won't miss you in that next time I'm down that way wishing my parents.
..and you are mocking my green trainers 8-)
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Wonder how tight that reason may be
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Hope you and Cathy have a great New Year, and New Year’s wishes to all on AJB {[]
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
I'm more of a fan of the original 1964 1/2 Mustang ragtop. My parents had the chance to buy one in 1964 and bought a purple Chevy instead.
Firstly the car is stunning in the flesh... The fish mouth is very different when in person, Stephen placed a number plate on to it and it really does break it up well.
The car has lots of interesting detail, you notice something new every time you circle it...
Interior wise its a step forward, but somehow didnt gel for me, maybe to do with the "caramac" impersonation...
Will it sell, the looks the noise and the power will do that...
For me the front isnt my favourite but the back is awesome, the interior is fiddly but well made.
After convincing Mrs R another dbs made sense, would I trade it in for the Vantage, err nope!!!
And the DBS still pulled the crowd in the car park before the drive home...
No image option coming up on this thread???
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
Managed to pop some on via old post
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.