Brian Smith reviews the first volume of Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond (2024)

By: Brian Smith

Published:
2024-11-17

Spy Octane, The Vehicles of James Bond, Volume 1, review

In his personal introduction to Spy Octane - The Vechicles Of James Bond, co-author Ajay Chowdhury recalls the indelible impression his first James Bond film - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) – made on his six-year-old self, particularly 007’s Lotus Esprit. ‘Before my eyes, that sleek sports car dived into the water and turned into a submarine.’ Fast forward a decade and Chowdhury glimpses a peak behind the curtain as the Aston Martin from The Living Daylights (1987) has its optional extras manually installed in front of the Odeon, Leicester Square on premiere night. ‘Ten years before, I believed the magic. Now, I could see the illusion deconstructed in front of me. I became captivated by the mystique of moviemaking.’

It is this intellectual curiosity that drives Spy Octane, the latest collaboration by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field (the award-winning author of a previous Porter Press publication – The Self Preservation Society: 50 Years of The Italian Job), that makes this my Bond book of the year.

There is a prelude on Ian Fleming, who ‘confidently wrote exciting car-chase passages and enjoyed casting cars that complemented his characters.’ This idea was translated by the makers of the Bond films, exemplified by a lovely story related to the authors by Joanna Harwood, Dr No’s first screenwriter.

This is Volume One and takes in the movies Dr. No (1962) to Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Each chapter begins with a clever take on the ‘Bond synopsis’, positioning the vehicles within the film’s summary, followed by a background to the production, crew profiles, and the incredible behind-the-scenes stories of the vehicles appearing in each film.

Spy Octane, The Vehicles Of James Bond, Goldfinger, book

Spy Octane, The Vehicles Of James Bond, Goldfinger, book

The Goldfinger chapter from the first volume of Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond. Copyright © 2024 Porter Press. All rights reserved.

Field and Chowdhury chronicle their development, their use in the movies and what happened to them in the years following filming and promotional activity. Highlights include the Fairy Huntress boats in From Russia with Love (1963), Toyota 2000GT and Little Nellie from You Only Live Twice (1967), the Aston Martin DBS and Mercury Cougar from On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), the crazy creations for Diamonds Are Forever - Moon Buggy and Bathosub – and of course, the iconic Aston Martin DB5.

Spy Octane, The Vehicles Of James Bond, You Only Live Twice, book

Spy Octane, The Vehicles Of James Bond, You Only Live Twice, book

The You Only Live Twice chapter from the first volume of Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond. Copyright © 2024 Porter Press. All rights reserved.

Building on the ground-breaking 1991 book The Most Famous Car In The World by Dave Worrall (who is also credited as Spy Octane’s Editorial and Visual Producer), Field and Chowdhury’s extensive investigation has furthered the story of the two movie cars (and two promotional cars) used in Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965). For the first time ever, Anthony Pugliese - the owner of BMT 216A (DP/216/1) which was stolen from an airport hangar in Boca Raton, Florida – tells his story, along with lawyers and insurance investigators.

Field and Chowdhury’s trademark blend of diligent research and meticulous curation of photographs (of which there are over 1000 in this volume) will appeal to car enthusiasts and Bond fans alike, as well as those captivated by the mystique of moviemaking.

Review by Brian Smith. Copyright © 2024 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond – Volume 1 is now available for pre-order via PorterPress.co.uk. If you use the code SWEDEN10 during checkout, you’ll receive a 10% discount. Note: The first 400 copies are signed by the authors.

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Brian Smith reviews the first volume of Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond (2024)

Field and Chowdhury’s trademark blend of diligent research and meticulous curation of photographs (of which there are over 1000 in this volume) will appeal to car enthusiasts and Bond fans alike, as well as those captivated by the mystique of moviemaking.

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