On a trip to Europe about twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to ride in an Aston Martin DB5. It belonged to a German industrialist, whose name, you would instantly recognize. He was at the wheel as we drove the winding route through this small town. The car was gorgeous, having been restored to its original condition. The thing I remember most is how slick the gearbox sounded, like the proverbial swiss watch.

The DB5 or 2000GT for me as well.

The first time I went to Europe/UK was in the 70’s and after watching The Avengers, Bond movies, The Saint, The Prisoner and other shows I was thrilled to see all of the Rolls, Aston Martins, Morgans, Triumphs, MGs, Land Rovers, Jaguars, Bentleys, you name it- actually rolling down the streets in London and elsewhere. The fit and smell of the coachwork leather and wood (excluding the evil handiwork of Lucas, Prince of Darkness is still memorable. Nothing like roaring along at 55 mph and hitting a bump in the road and having your headlights go out).

I brought back a 1969 Land Rover Series in the late 70’s and a Volvo 142.
The Volvo 142 was a 1973 and had three-point seat belts, fuel injection, four speed manual with overdrive, four wheel disc brakes, a rear window defroster and a huge trunk for it’s size. (Only downside then was getting parts. Hemmings was the path in those days).
Other folks in the family participated in rallying as well and had a lot of fun in car restorations and drives over the years.

Slowly, on visits over the pond as time passed I saw progressively fewer of the classic cars until it reached the point where it looked just like any America city and you seldom saw the classics unless for car meets and shows.
I’ve had a number of European cars over the years along with American classics (we didn’t know they would be classics at the time, of course). My dream was to do what Jay Leno has done- didn’t realize that goal, but I salute his cracking collections.

Below is my last Triumph (a 72 TR6) in front of a RR Classic (With one son running by). (I no longer have either- unfortunately, practicality won- that little boy running in front wants to go to med school along with his brother).
Anyway, look at the cockpit… How can that not make you nostalgic?

Despite warnings to the contrary, I have always lusted for an Aston Martin roadster. Among those warnings, was an article I read in Road and Track over 25 years ago. The reviewer was testing the latest Aston, which as usual, was just gorgeous. He ended his review by saying, " Owning this car is like being married to the most beautiful bitch in the world. You love to take her out in public to show her off but only you know, what a bad time she's giving you at home". I try to remember that, whenever I'm tempted to rob a liquor store to fund one.

What? No love for Kanangas Pimpmobile LOL

71 Mach 1 from Diamond are Forever
69 Cougar XR-7 Convertible - On Her Majesty's
65 Continental convertible- thunderball
65 Ranchero - Goldfinger
63 Continental - Goldfinger
61 Impala - Dr No
57 Bel Air - Dr No
37 Rolls Phantom III Goldfinger
55 Rolls Silver Wraith - From Russia w love, Spectre, For your eyes only,
Any of the DB5, Vanquish, and especially the DB10 in Spectre

Every one of the pre-war Bentleys

I still remember seeing the DB5 at the '64 NY Worlds Fair as a youngster, so that one sticks in my mind as the James Bond car.

I could live with the DB(7?) from Her Majesties or the Sumbeam from Dr. No

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
What? No love for Kanangas Pimpmobile LOL

71 Mach 1 from Diamond are Forever
69 Cougar XR-7 Convertible - On Her Majesty's
65 Continental convertible- thunderball
65 Ranchero - Goldfinger
63 Continental - Goldfinger
61 Impala - Dr No
57 Bel Air - Dr No
37 Rolls Phantom III Goldfinger
55 Rolls Silver Wraith - From Russia w love, Spectre, For your eyes only,
Any of the DB5, Vanquish, and especially the DB10 in Spectre

Every one of the pre-war Bentleys

I want that 69 Cougar convertible from OHMSS driven by Diana Rigg. Always liked that era Cougar over the Mustang by a smidgen; as things turn if the internet is correct, her car (they used three in filming the movie) was one of 96 that were equipped with the ram air induction hood scoop, 428 CJ, automatic, etc. convertibles. And then Carroll Shelby worked on them a little for the film.

DBS V12 Arguably the best lines of the bunch. The ultimate Grand Touring car

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
This:

For me that's easy,the white Lotus from 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.

Interestingly enough, Bond drove mostly Bentleys in the books. His Aston in Goldfinger was a DB3 instead of the DB5 from the film.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
DBS V12 Arguably the best lines of the bunch. The ultimate Grand Touring car

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
This:

]

With a 6MT to top it off.

Obviously a lot of great Bond cars. Who wouldn't want to have any of them. But to answer the OP's question: Original DB5, of course. Saw Goldfinger as a kid in 1964, and it has remained my favorite car all my life.

Years ago I came across on a special deal on a DB5 at a tow yard. The yard's owner's doberman bit me (not while climbing the fence). The dog had gotten in trouble before, and rather than getting the judicial system involved, he sold the car to meand a friend of mine for $2,500! It had about 60,000 miles and was in excellent condition.

I had no place to store it at the time, and so turned the deal over to my friend. Now the car is worth $275,000. Unfortunately my friend sold the DB5 long ago.

I always thought the Lotus was pretty inventive.

Land Rover Spectre Defender

Love those square bodies. The DBS V12 would be a great one too. Now I have to rewatch all the movies to see which ones I'd prefer.