The Bond Museum In Keswick

By: FSWL team

Published:
2009-04-04

The new museum opened in the Lake District on the 5th of April 2009. The Bond Museum is the brainchild of Peter Nelson who has been collecting James Bond items for 20 years and now has the biggest private collection in the world.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE BOND MUSEUM:
"It is with deep sadness that we have to report that The Bond Museum and its sister attraction Cars of the Stars are now closed. The Cars of the Stars shop area will remain open this year with autographs, memorabilia and a new range of tv and film toys. Please check the web site for details of the relocation of the vehicles to a new location shortly. Thanks to everyone who has supported the museums over the last 22 years in Keswick.
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The museum features several Aston Martin and Lotus cars used in the Bond films along side many other vehicles including the actual Russian T55 main battle tank used in the film Goldeneye, as well as boats, planes and even a Bell Jetranger helicopter.

Nelson has also collected many of the props from the films, several being donated by many of the actors and crew. One of the iconic items on display will be the original Colibri Golden Gun plus many Q gadgets. However, it is the vehicles, many of which have never been seen by the public which will form the centre piece of the museum.

Nelson also owns the now famous Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in the town, but because the current museum is too small to house his large collection of Bond vehicles it had to have a new purpose built site close by.

"This will be a museum dedicated to the fans of 007" states Nelson, who was a school boy when he first read the books of Ian Fleming and later became a fan himself of the films.

"Like many others I have grown up with James Bond and its fantastic that the franchise continues in the very capable hands of the Fleming family, Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson and family," says Nelson.

But Nelson has had his problems building such a major attraction, namely the sheer cost of the project. At one time Nelson thought about selling the entire collection and did approach Christies, but on reflection he felt that it would be a shame to split the collection up since it is one of great historic as well as cultural importance.

"Fans of Bond will want to see this collection in it’s entirety" Nelson states. And he has ensured that the museum has been completed to a standard that will impress visitors and also help to promote the films and the books.

"New Bond books have been written, but you simply can’t equal Fleming: he was an outstanding author," says Nelson.

He also states that he is a great admirer of the work of Cubby Broccoli who he sites as a genius in his ability in finding and attracting the very best cast and crew for the films.

"The most amazing thing is that Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have been able to carry on Cubby’s superb legacy extremely well indeed, which was no mean feat."

THE JAMES BOND COLLECTION IN KESWICK CURRENTLY CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Zao's Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day (2002) - the actual car used by Rick Yune in the film
2. Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008) - The actual car used in the Daniel Craig film
3. Alfa Romero 159 from Quantum of Solace (2008) - one of the cars that chased Daniel Craig's DBS
4. Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye (1995) - The actual Hero car used by Piece Brosnan
5. B5 Uncle/Goldfinger car - The gadget car used in The Man from Uncle film, driven by James Bond.
6. Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day (2002) - the actual hero car used by Pierce Brosnan in the film.
7. Aston Martin V8 Vantage - The Living Daylights (1987) - The actual car used in the film by Timothy Dalton
8. Aston Martin DBS - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - The actual car used in the film
9. Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) - The actual car used in the film
10. Lotus Esprit S1 underwater submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) - The actual submarine used
11. Lotus Esprit Turbo (white) - For Your Eyes Only (1981) - The actual car used in the film
12. Lotus Esprit Turbo (copper) - For Your Eyes Only (1981) - The actual car used in the film
13. Scaramanga’s AMC Matador - The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) - The actual car used in the film
14. Ford Mustang Mach 1 from Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - The actual two wheel stunt car
15. General Ourmov’s Black Volga from GoldenEye (1995) - The actual car used in the film's St. Petersburg tank
16. Renault 11 Taxi from A View to a Kill (1985) - The actual car used in the film's Paris Eiffel tower chase
17. Tuk Tuk taxi - Both goodies and baddies from Octopussy (1983) - The actual vehicles used in the film
18. Dragon tank - Dr. No (1962) - a recreation for a major Bond event
19. Bede Acrostar mini jet - from Octopussy (1983) - From Ian Fleming Foundation
20. Skiddoo - as seen in Die Another Day (2002) - The actual vehicle from the film
21. Parahawk - The World Is Not Enough (1999) - The actual vehicle from the film's ski chase
22. Jet Pack - Thunderball (1965) - with a figure of Sean Connery. Especially built for with some original parts
23. Toyota 2000 GT - You Only Live Twice (1967) - One of only 3 in the world, with film's original control panel
24. Q Boat - as seen in The World Is Not Enough (1999) - The actual car/boat used in the film
25. Fairey Huntress - From Russia with Love (1963) - The actual boat used in the film
26. BMW Motorcycle - from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) - Both bikes including Pierre Goys own bike
27. Cagiva motorcycle - from GoldenEye (1995) - The actual bike used in the film
28. BSA Rocket firing Lightning Motorcycle from Thunderball (1965) - The actual one used in the film
29. Kawaski Z900 motorbike with exploding side car - The actual one used in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) film
30. Moonraker (1979) Space Shuttle - Large scale Model - The actual one used in the film
31. Osprey 5 Hovercraft from Die Another Day (2002) - The actual one used in the film's pre-credit minefield chase
32. Glastron Speedboat from Live And Let Die - The actual gold one used by Bond to drive through the wedding

Plus various other show/promotional items and vehicles, including:

33. Red Glastron GT150 boat - claimed to be original from Live And Let Die, but no documents!
34. Small Mig fighter from GoldenEye (1995)
35. Citroen 2CV display from For Your Eyes Only (1981) - model and full size
36. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Pinewood Reunion Wetbike
37. Ugandan Landrover - the actual car from Casino Royale used by Obanno's Guerillas
38. Little Nel - Second cousin twice removed of Little Nellie Exhibition autogyro
39. Stromberg Black 206 Jet Ranger Helicopter - The ‘Pinewood’ The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
40. BMW 750iL from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) - with the actual blue screen Ericcson telephone
41. Triumph Stag used by Sean undercover as Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
42. Tank from GoldenEye (1995) model - The actual one used in the film
43. Beach Buggy - For Your Eyes Only (1981) - The actual one used in the film, and last but not least
44. Russian T55 main battle tank - The actual tank used in the GoldenEye (1995) St. Petersburg chase!

Many thanks to Peter Nelson for providing us with the information above.

For more information, visit the official website for The Bond museum:
www.thebondmuseum.com

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The Bond Museum In Keswick

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