Bentley Continental GT

James Bond drove several different Bentleys throughout the fourteen original novels by Ian Fleming, the first of which was the 1930 4.5 litre Bentley convertible (Casino Royale, Live And Let Die). Later in the novel Thunderball he acquired a wreck of Mark II Continental Bentley, restored it and customised it, and called it "The Locomotive". Bond's appreciation of the finer things in life was a reflection of his creator's own tastes, especially when it came to magnificent automobiles.

Ian Fleming was a man that made a hobby of adventure - gambling, diving, treasure hunting, and, above all, he relished driving an outstanding car. Like James Bond, Fleming indulged himself in his favourite pastime in some of the world's most beautiful locations - on the open roads of the English countryside, on tours of the Continent and even racing up mountains in the Alpine motor trials (Fleming navigated for the lead British driver in 1932). Bryce's grey automobile was probably the inspiration for 'the locomotive'.

It should come as no surprise that, in Carte Blanche, Bond again finds himself the proud owner of a Bentley. This time, as befits the novel's contemporary setting, 007 drives the new Bentley Continental GT. With its 6.0-litre, twin-turbo engine, the Bentley Continental GT can launch from a standstill to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 197mph. There's no telling what mischief 007 will get into with this one - or how much Ian Fleming would have enjoyed a chance behind the wheel.