“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning.” So began 1953’s Casino Royale novel, introducing James Bond to the world. Here we’ll be taking a look at precisely what Winged B machines 007 has driven – and occasionally destroyed. Continuation novels have subsequently reintroduced Bond to Bentleys, and Aston Martin hasn’t had it all its own way in the films either, with the odd Bentley also sneaking on-screen. It’s an affiliation that’s less well-known than the famous Aston association, yet the character owned three different models in the Fleming works alone. However, while the cinematic 007 may be firmly wedded to his Astons, the literary Bond – as written by author Ian Fleming – only had eyes for Bentley. He had to console himself instead with some Lotus Esprits and a Citroen 2CV.
Since then, only Roger Moore’s 007 hasn’t slipped behind the wheel of an Aston while on Her Majesty’s secret service. Here’s how Bond came to drive a B-badged carĪston Martin has become the car brand most associated with fictional superspy James Bond ever since an immaculately Anthony Sinclair-suited Sean Connery took a silver DB5 out for a quick spin to Switzerland in 1964’s Goldfinger.
The cinematic incarnation of James Bond is synonymous with Aston Martin, but Bentley is his preference in print.
