The first James Bond film, "Dr. No", premiered 60 years ago - ten years after Ian Fleming first introduced the secret agent in the book "Casino Royale". Since the first film, 24 more Bond films have been made by the British production company EON, which manages the legacy of the original film producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.
Spectacular chases are an important feature of the James Bond films, which also make them interesting for car enthusiasts. Ten years ago, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Bond films, this led to an exhibition of Bond cars at the London Film Museum for the first time, which was on display for six years.
The exhibition, called "Bond in Motion", then moved to the Automobile Museum in Beaulieu, UK, while last summer a selection was also on display at the Petersen Automobile Museum in Los Angeles.
Finally on the European mainland
The "Bond in Motion" exhibition is now being held on the European mainland for the first time, in the prominent Hall 1 of the Expo in the Belgian capital Brussels. With a total area of 6000 square meters, it is also by far the largest Bond exhibition to date. The fact that the Bond vehicles are on display in Brussels is thanks to Belgian entrepreneur Stéphane Pisane. "During the Corona period, I read about the Bond exhibition in London on the internet, and as soon as we were allowed to travel again, I visited it," says the owner of event agency Carbon 12011. "It was immediately clear to me: I wanted to show this exhibition in Brussels!"
At the end of 2021, Pisane, who brought Pierre Lalmand, the former head of the Brussels Motor Show, on board as a partner, signed the contract with the rights holders of the Bond production company EON and one year later, "Bond in Motion" is a reality in Brussels.
A good dose of "Britishness"
Last week, Martin Shearman, the British Ambassador to Belgium, officially opened the Bond exhibition in Brussels. "I am very proud that this exhibition is now on display here. James Bond is known all over the world, perhaps one of the most famous personalities from the UK. The sight of the many vehicles also brings back memories of spectacular film scenes for me," said the ambassador.
And that is precisely the power of the exhibition. In a rather dark ambience with smoke and spotlights, visitors feel like they are on a movie set. The exhibits are divided according to the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. The vehicles take up most of the space.
Aston Martin and the other
First and foremost, of course, is Aston Martin, the brand that has been inextricably linked with James Bond since the 1964 film "Goldfinger". The legendary Aston Martin DB5 can be seen twice in the exhibition: a flawless example from the original film and a rather damaged vehicle from the latest Bond film "No time to die", which premiered last year after a coronavirus delay.
Other Aston Martins in the exhibition include a Vanquish, a V8, a DB10 and several DBSs.
Other British brands are also represented, such as Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Lotus. One of the most eye-catching cars is the poison green Jaguar XKR with numerous special features from the movie "Die another day".
The BMW Z8, which James Bond drove in the film "The world is not enough", is also on display, as is a Toyota Landcruiser and the Renault 11, which lost its roof during a thrilling car chase. And later the rear too.
Not just cars
Other exhibits include a helicopter, a London Underground train compartment, which is being shown to the public for the first time; several boats, a Ski-Doo, motorcycles and numerous other objects that play a role in the Bond films, such as Little Nellie, the small helicopter from "You only live twice".
Information boards in English, French and Dutch provide further details. Corresponding film scenes are shown on screens.
A bar with a 007 atmosphere, where you can enjoy a glass of champagne or a cocktail ("shaken, not stirred") in proper style, and a merchandise store complete the exhibition.
"Bond in Motion" can be visited until May 14, 2023 in Hall 1 of Brussels Expo in Brussels. Further information on opening times and tickets can be found on the exhibition website.
