Ask any auto mechanic what first made them fall in love with cars and many will answer with three simple words: Bond. James Bond. The British superspy’s adventures now span 43 years and seven different actors, with the 25th movie soon to be released. While fans have seen plenty of changes in the Bond universe over the years, one thing was always guaranteed: he drove some pretty fine cars.
And it is no doubt every aspiring auto mechanic’s dream to one day have a genuine bond car roll up in their shop.
If you plan to enroll in auto mechanic courses, or you’ve recently started your program, read on to learn about some of the most memorable cars 007 has driven through the years.
The Aston Martin DB5: A Timeless Triumph of Auto Mechanics
The ultimate Bond car, the DB5 became one of the most iconic autos in history after being introduced to the world in 1964’s Goldfinger. Sixties moviegoers were wowed by Sean Connery’s tripped out model, which featured front- wing machine guns, tire slashers, and an ejector seat among other hi-tech gadgets.
For students in auto mechanic training, however, the real-life mechanics of the car are just as impressive. The DB5 boasts a 3,995cc engine and can get from 0 to 60mph (0 to 97km/h) in just eight seconds. Any auto professional can agree that this would be a powerful machine in any era, while the sleek design still looks impressive today. It has remained Bond’s most famous car, and has returned in three more adventures since its first appearance.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II: The Last True Luxury Auto?
This car appeared in 1985’s A View To A Kill. The car used in the movie actually belonged to producer Albert R. Broccoli, who agreed to lend it to the director during production. Bigger and less sporty than Bond’s usual auto choice, the Silver Cloud II still packed a punch, with a 6.2L V8 engine and top speeds of 183km/h.
What most Bond fans remember it for, though, is its elegant body design. Originally rolled out in 1963, many aficionados consider the Silver Cloud the last of the true ‘classic’ Rolls-Royce designs, with later models favoring a shorter, more angular look. Any auto mechanic student with a taste for vintage cars dreams of being able to work on a car like this someday.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: The Montreal Mechanic’s Dream Car
With the practical experience you’ll get at ATC’s mechanic school in Montreal, you’ll soon learn just how much damage the city’s harsh winters can do to cars. The freezing temperatures often lead to accidents, rust and corrosion issues, and mechanical problems.
With that in mind, drivers in the city might dream of fitting their cars with something like the retractable outriggers on Timothy Dalton’s V8 Vantage in 1987’s The Living Daylights, which transform the car into a makeshift skidoo during a memorable scene driving across a frozen lake.
Of course, real-world models of the car never actually included this feature, and it’s debatable how well it would really work, but perhaps some aspiring auto mechanic will find a way?
Jaguar XKR: Modern Auto Mechanics at its Finest
The classic models of the sixties and seventies have contributed to the Bond franchise’s reputation for featuring classy autos, but there have been some real peaches in the modern era too. One of our favorites is the Jaguar XKR from 2002’s Die Another Day. With track-tuned suspension and a turbo-charged 5.0 liter V8 engine, this really is modern mechanics at its finest.
The legacy of great cars in James Bond films continues, and fans can look forward to seeing Daniel Craig in a brand-new Aston Martin DB10, as well as a Jaguar C-X75, in the latest installment of the franchise, Spectre, due in theaters on 6th November this year.
Do you want to become an auto mechanic? Visit ATC to learn more about our training programs or speak to an advisor.
