BOND FILMS RETURNING TO THE BIG SCREEN

Many readers are already aware that the 25 Bond films are being re-screened in Vue and Odeon Cinemas across the UK and Ireland culminating in ‘James Bond Day’ on the 5 October - https://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/bond60. The Spy Who Loved Me is on my shortlist, not least because of the Lotus Esprit and also because I did not view it on the big screen until 1982 in a Palma English-language cinema. Then there is Goldfinger with the Aston Martin DB5, and most importantly, You Only Live Twice with the Toyota 2000 GT. When ITV screened it on the 20 November 1977, it was the first 007 film I ever saw, establishing the ingredients for a 007 adventure of quality:

1. The supervillain must wear a Nehru suit.
2. There must be a memorable theme song – in this case by Nancy Sinatra.
3. The supervillain’s henchmen shaking their fists as 007 disposes of their car – in this case, a Toyota Crown De Luxe.
4. Criminal masterminds with the ambition to rule the world need a fleet of Mini Mokes at their disposal.
5. And there must a ‘Bond Car’ containing gadgets not usually found on the Chrysler Avenger or Morris Marina.

The star vehicle of Bond Film No. 5 was the Toyota 2000GT, which debuted at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show. Filming commenced in 1966, and the company was pleased to supply the production with two of their flagship coupes; one LHD and one RHD. Unfortunately, Connery was too tall to fit inside the cabin comfortably. So, in May of that year, Toyota transformed them into dropheads, a version that was not available to the general public. They initially considered a Targa top, but this did not leave enough room for the camera operators, and the firm’s engineers created the 2000 GT Convertibles in a mere fortnight. Sharp-eyed viewers will note they were devoid of a hood and side windows. The principal car was equipped with rocket launchers, a television monitor, a video recorder and other devices courtesy of the special effects maestro, with the second Toyota in support. This was also one of the few pictures in which 007 did not take the wheel, and as the leading actress, Akiko Wakabayash was a non-driver, so a couple of Toyota’s test drivers doubled for her.

Had Dr. No been my first Bond film, I might have equally vivid memories of blue Sunbeam Alpines, wonderfully poor back-projection and La Salles that magically transformed into a Humber. But it is the white Toyota that created such a vivid impression, together with the Japanese locations, the Pinewood volcano set and a gleefully over-acting Donald Pleasence with his pool of irate piranhas. At the same time, some of the background cars fascinate, especially an Isuzu-built Hillman Minx, a Subaru 360 and a Prince Gloria Special 4 taxi. And, above all, there was the 2000GT - a car that was far more than a drop in the ocean…