Speaking of James Bond...

[BobPalma]

From the June, 1963 Studebaker News:


________________________________________________________________________________ _________

It would appear that the writer's hope of James Bond's pursuit vehicle of choice being diverted from Aston-Martin never got much further than the imagination(s) at 635 S. Main Street in South Bend, however. BP

[rockne10]

But...Felix escorted James in a Studillac!

[Gunslinger]

At two different car shows in October I had three different people say my Avanti looked like a "James Bond car" or something 007 would drive. I made sure to tell them Ian Fleming was an Avanti owner.

[JBOYLE]

Recently, the UK-based Classic and Sports Car magazine did an article about Bond cars. It said that Flemming didn't think much of American cars.
I wrote them to say not only did Flemming drive an Avanti, he had two Thunderbirds before that.

They didn't print my letter...trying to cover for a new female writer who got caught with shoddy research, no doubt.
A similar article about his Avanti was printed in a UK magazine back in the day and is included in the Brooklands (UK) published anthology of Avanti articles. No excuse for them NOT knowing that.

[Noxnabaker]

The English of today are crazy 'bout BaderMeinhofWagens, it's like a religion for them & any US car will ofcourse threaten that.
& yes, I've had that brand also = to much money for mostly image.

[SN-60]

I wonder if anyone would consider 'doing up' their '63 Avanti to look like the Fleming car today?....right down to the blackwall bias ply tires and (what looks like a) strange rearview mirror?

[JBOYLE]

I wonder if anyone would consider 'doing up' their '63 Avanti to look like the Fleming car today?....right down to the blackwall bias ply tires and (what looks like a) strange rearview mirror?

Also note the typical "badge bar" in front. Back in those days you had to have a RAC (Royal Auto Club...more like the AAA than a real club) or somesuch (a regional club or perhaps the very exclusive British Racing Drivers Club) badge on your car.

I imagine if he had white walls on his car , he would have been laughed out of his "Gentleman's club". Back then, no one had whitewalls.

[JBOYLE]

The English of today are crazy 'bout BaderMeinhofWagens, it's like a religion for them & any US car will ofcourse threaten that.
& yes, I've had that brand also = to much money for mostly image.

I agree. Having lived there and read all their car magazines, UK cars are always best.
Some comments I recall...saying the (trouble prone) latest Jaguar sedan was better than a Mercedes S class...and comments along the line of if you like American cars it's because your parents were cousins, and my favorite recent bit of snobbery..Duesenbergs are "overrated".

NOX...tell us about your old car. As a child, a family friend had an Aston...

[SN-60]

Could just be the picture, but it sure looks like Fleming's Avanti sits high at the front.....hardly any 'rake' at all!

[qsanford]

Could just be the picture, but it sure looks like Fleming's Avanti sits high at the front.....hardly any 'rake' at all!

Must have parked on a Mini Minor!

[SN-60]

To: qsanford,----Could be!, Or maybe Fleming was sneaking a prototype 'R3' model to 007!

[63r2]

Now the big question.
Has anyone found the car?
Does anyone know what the serial number is?
The car seems to have disappeared after his untimely death.
As for classic cars my experience is that they can only be made in the UK. I do love Aston Martins though.
pb

[qsanford]

[I agree. I love the Classic Austin Marina and the bespoke Plymouth Cricket!QUOTE=63r2;697681]Now the big question.
Has anyone found the car?
Does anyone know what the serial number is?
The car seems to have disappeared after his untimely death.
As for classic cars my experience is that they can only be made in the UK. I do love Aston Martins though.
pb[/QUOTE]

[Gunslinger]

There is an old issue of the AOAI magazine or Turning Wheels that had an article trying to determine the serial number of Fleming's Avanti. While it wasn't conclusive, it did narrow it down to one serial number most likely purchased by Fleming. It was based upon production and shipping records and that Fleming wanted a black Avanti. The first black Avanti shipped to England was considered the one most likely but I don't remember that serial number (or which magazine had the article).

Where is that car today? Author Dan Jedlicka wrote that whenever Fleming visited another country he shipped his Avanti there so he could use it. If true, then Fleming's Avanti could have been in Jamaica where he passed away in 1965. If so, did it get taken back to England? Did it stay in Jamaica? If the car still exists, could it still be part of Fleming's estate or could it have been sold? If it still exists, does the current owner know anything of its history?

Outside of the factory R3's and Bonneville cars, Ian Fleming's Avanti, if found and verified, could well be the most valuable Avanti out there.

[LeoH]

We need to stir up any British Stude owners to do some sleuthing over there about who it was that handled his estate. That might turn up a transaction record, at least from the estate sale.