By Mark Cerulli
Thanks
to the Ian Fleming Foundation (IFF,) this scribe was invited to the opening
night party for the massive Bond in Motion exhibit at LA’s world-famous
Petersen Automotive Museum, co-sponsored by EON Productions. You’ve seen the vehicles on screen, but
nothing compares to getting up close and personal with over 34 production-used
vehicles from the 1960s right up to No Time To Die. It’s a collection representing
almost 30 years of sleuthing by the IFF’s co-founder Doug Redenius and other IFF members.
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UP –
Bond’s hang-glider from Moonraker, the Vulcan Bomber model from Thunderball,
an Osato chopper model from You Only Live Twice and a full-size Cessna
from Licence to Kill.
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OUTSIDE
– Visitors are greeted by the From Russia With Love chase copter.
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OVER THERE
– The V8 Volante from The Living Daylights, the (huge) sub from For
Your Eyes Only, an Octopussy Tuk-Tuk, the AMC Hornet from The
Man With The Golden Gun and a badly damaged Aston Martin DBS used in a
record-breaking stunt from Casino Royale.
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AROUND
– At the Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day, a MINT 1964 Aston Martin DB5
(seen in five Bond films), the 1971 Mach 1 from Diamonds Are Forever, Blofeld’s
escape sub from Diamonds, the Glastron from Live & Let Die’s
iconic boat jump and so many more – all lovingly restored by the IFF.
The
evening started with a rooftop cocktail party where the NEFT vodka flowed like
Tracy’s dress as invited guests mingled and toasted the night’s VIPs – five,
count ‘em, FIVE Bond Girls – Maud Adams (The Man With the Golden Gun,
Octopussy), Luciana Paluzzi (Thunderball), Gloria Hendry (Live & Let Die), Lynn-Holly Johnson
(For Your Eyes Only) and Mary Stavin
(Octopussy, A View To A Kill). They all seemed delighted to see each other and were up for a big night
out.
Doug
and fellow IFF co-founder Michael VanBlaricum gave a discussion on their
acquisition of screen-used vehicles, many found in total disrepair across the
globe. Then they shared the spotlight
with the Bond actresses for some Q&As. Next, the 00 VIPS cut the red ribbon,
officially opening the exhibit and crowds swarmed the cars – all artfully
arranged by the Petersen staff in unique dioramas. Even the event’s official car transport – DHL
– got into the spirit by positioning their 007-branded yellow vans around the
Museum. Bond truly is back – and right
now, he’s at the Peterson Auto Museum in LA.
Want
to support the IFF’s Bond restorations? You can donate to them at: www.ianflemingfoundation.org
(Special
thanks to Stockholm own Double-0, Anders Fredjh.)
For information about the Bond in Motion exhibition, click here.