BOND IN MOTION - 50 YEARS OF JAMES BOND AUTOMOBILES

My name is Bond... James Bond.

Dubbed 50 cars 50 Years, the exhibition shows off such classics as the Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who loved Me to the Citroen 2CV from For Your Eyes Only, the classic Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger to the latest Aston Martin DBS in the latest movie, Quantum of Solace. Also included are fishing vessels, mini subs (from Diamonds are Forever), the famous jetpack (highlighted in Thunderball and a cameo role in Die Another day) and even the cello case sled from The Living daylights.

The exhibition is located at the National Motor Museum and is on display for the total of 2012, marking 50 years of James Bond in film. It also coincides with 60 years of Beaulieu opening its doors to the community and 40 years of the National Car Museum. 2012 certainly is a special year for all three.

Your path into the 50 vehicles 50 Years exhibition is included in with the general admission fee. This also includes entry to the main palace residence, the abbey, the World of Top Gear exhibition, and of course the National Car Museum itself. There is so much to see and will take you a good day to visit and see everything that is on offer. Take the loved ones for a great day out.

Of course, Bond films have great reputations for exciting chase sequences with traditional classic cars such as the Lotus, Aston Martins, 2CVs and (even) BMW's or in stranger vehicles like crocodile mini subs and moon buggies !  Bond never fails to capture the imagination, and these sequences always contain great creativity.

Here's a look at some of the popular and most loved Bond cars of all time. Some are even featured at the exhibition.

The Most Famous James Bond cars

1. Aston Martin DB5

When you think of Bond, this is the first automobile that comes to mind. It is the epitome of James Bond, with its classic lines and real British metal. The DB5 made its first appearance in the movie Goldfinger and highlighted pop out machine guns in the grill and pop up bullet shield in the rear. This was the famous car that sports activities the ejector seat, and also shaped the future of mobile communications with the radio phone.

2. Aston Martin DBS

From the old Aston to the new one. The DBS is beautiful to look at and still captures the essence of the old DB5. It made its debut in casino Royale, and then into the sequel Quantum of Solace. Both cars are on display at the exhibition, along with the broken up stunt car used in the crash sight of casino. This car also set a new world record for the most consecutive rolls (seven).

3. Aston Martin Vanquish

From Die Another Day comes yet another Aston. This model sports an interesting concept of invisibility. With hundreds of cameras mounted on its surface, somehow it manages to inversely replicate its surroundings so as to make the car appear invisible.

An exciting chase sequence ensues on the icy plains of Iceland, with Bond's Aston up against a convertible Jaguar XKR with a standard packaged rocket launcher.

4. Lotus Esprit S1

From The Spy Who cherished Me, comes the white Lotus. This car was made famous by the famous chase leading the car to plough into the water and turn into a sub. From its lowly vantage stage, it was able to launch its rockets and demolish the pursuing jetranger helicopter. It led onto the humorous mood with Bond driving onto the seashore, winding down the window and throwing a fish out.

5. Citroen 2CV

Not a car you would normally associate with Bond, this French classic was used in a hilarious scene from For Your Eyes Only. Competing against fellow French Peugeots, the 2CV put up a fantastic fight barreling through narrow village roads, flying through olive trees and driving down stone steps. And of course, with Bond at the wheel, it won. The car from the movie has also been seen at various 2CV rallies across Europe.

6. Glastron Carlson CV-23HT

Moving away from cars for the moment, takes us onto the movie Moonraker and the speed boat with attached hang glider. The boat highlighted elective extras such as the bullet evidence defend, stern mines and the all important torpedos.

Unfortunately, the space shuttles used in Moonraker, are not on display at the exhibition.

7. AMC Hornet

One of the most memorable James Bond stunts comes from the movie The Man With the Golden Gun. After Bond steals the AMC Hornet from a car showroom, a typical Bond chase begins. The highlight of this sequence is a spectacular jump across a damaged bridge. This is no ordinary straight forward jump, as the angle of the bridge sends the car spinning a full 360 degrees through the air before coming to land perfectly on the other side of the equivalently angled bridge. No special equipment on this car, but the stunt more than makes up for it.

8. Osprey Hovercraft

Another of Bond's alternative means of transport was seen at the beginning of Die Another Day. In an attempt to escape North Korea, Bond hijacks a hovercraft and eventually speeds towards a cliff. His enemy flies off the cliff to his apparent doom, while Bond finds himself saved by the bell. However, this prospects to his capture and the start of the film.

9. The PIG

As a means of defection, the PIG (Pipeline Inspection Gauge) was used to get Russian representative, Koskov out of the east into the west. A clearly harrowing experience for the passenger, although he would later double cross James Bond - there's a shock.

10. BMW 750iL

The car that divided many Bond fans. Why wasn't the car British? Nonetheless, whatever your viewpoint, the BMW did deliver. Its main feature was its remote control option that Bond used to perfection. It really brought the saying 'back seat driver' to life, and also showed that back seat drivers are the worst as the car flew from the top floor of the car park, Landing across the street inside a rental store. Perhaps the best result for the non British car...

There are many more James Bond vehicles to see and enjoy at the exhibition. The series of films are becoming classic, and every car, boat, sub, jet pack is now etched into the pages of history for the unique way they were used in the films.

If you can't get to the exhibition, start watching the films again, and enjoy watching these wonderful machines being used to their limits.