As it stands, neither the first and the last Ford Thunderbird associated with 007 is actually a vehicle driven by the James Bond character.
Thunderbird one has its origins dating to May of 1955, according to Andrew Lycett, when John Stepbridge of Famous Players, engineered a deal by which “Hollywood producer Gregory Ratoff agreed to pay $600 for a six months’ option on Casino Royale, plus a further $6,000 if the project went into production.” Ratoff subsequently converted his option and purchased full rights to Casino Royale (1953).
Characterizing that sum as “paltry,” Lycett states that “Ian decided to bank it immediately and buy himself a keepsake in the form of a big, powerful American car. [He] had seen a Ford Thunderbird in the street and fallen in love with its hooded headlights, chrome grill and sleek chassis. So after a nervous test drive around Battersea Park he ordered a black T-bird with conventional gear-change, overdrive and interchangeable hard and soft top.”
The flyer shown at left represents the most recent association between James Bond and the Ford Thunderbird.
This is the “2003 Limited-Edition 007™ Ford Thunderbird.” CIA operative Jinx drove a similar version of this vehicle in the Eon Productions film, Die Another Day (2002). Stated production was set to top at 700, with the owner’s unique sequence number identified by a plate concealed within the glovebox of the car. Ironically, this car, like Fleming’s, has a removable hard top.
“Thunderbird” also became a brand name of sorts as applied to Ian Fleming, himself. In correspondence to friend Evelyn Waugh dated December 3, 1958, and July 24, 1959, for example, Fleming’s wife, Ann, referred to him as Thunderbird. And in another letter, dated May 1, 1959, Ann Fleming signed herself, “Love, Mrs Thunderbird.”
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