James Bond drives a Jensen!
Discussion
William Boyd's James Bond novel Solo comes out on Thursday.
It is set in 1969 and Bond is now driving a Jensen. We'll find out on Thursday but it must be an FF, Fleming would have admired that car's innovation and rarity.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2427871/Wi...
http://www.thebookbond.com/2013/09/james-bond-driv...
http://commanderbond.net/
It is set in 1969 and Bond is now driving a Jensen. We'll find out on Thursday but it must be an FF, Fleming would have admired that car's innovation and rarity.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2427871/Wi...
http://www.thebookbond.com/2013/09/james-bond-driv...
http://commanderbond.net/
Fleming liked American V8s, Felix Leiter drove a "Studillac", a Caddy with the a big Studebaker V8 shoehorned in.
And it certainly could not be a C-V8 FF, there was only one and the body was removed to make the first (steel-bodied) Italian FF.
So the money's still on the FF. We'll find out on Thursday...
And it certainly could not be a C-V8 FF, there was only one and the body was removed to make the first (steel-bodied) Italian FF.
So the money's still on the FF. We'll find out on Thursday...
After many years of waiting, the country’s favourite super spy is finally driving a Jensen. The new James Bond book “Solo” has been written by well known author William Boyd under an agreement with ‘The Fleming Foundation’ and with the authority of the Fleming family as part of a continuation series of the James Bond books.
Solo is based in 1969 and starts off in the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London. It is James Bond’s birthday and he leaves the hotel and goes into the local Jensen Dealership to look at an Interceptor. He instead finds himself being captivated by the FF that they have in the showroom. Below is part of the press release for the book.
The setting of the launch mirrors the opening of the new book, where Bond – a veteran agent at 45 – celebrates his 45th birthday with an evening of gambling, fine dining at The Dorchester and, of course, a flirtation with a beautiful woman with whom he may, or may not, go on to have a love affair.
Refreshed after an excellent night’s sleep and his favourite breakfast at the hotel, he carries on his birthday celebrations by heading into a car showroom on Park Lane and taking one of the most sought after cars of the 1960s, a Jensen FF, for a spin.
[i]“The Jensen FF,” Eddie said softly in veneration, almost with a catch in his voice. “Four wheel drive.” He opened the door. “Step in, Mr Bond. Try her for size.”
Bond slipped into the driving seat and rested his hands on the wooden rim of the steering wheel, his eyes taking in the grouped dials on the fascia, his nostrils filled with the smell of new leather. It worked on him like an aphrodisiac.
[/i]
And continued later
Bond felt he was in a low flying plane rather than an automobile as he accelerated the Jensen…. If you needed a car to boost your ego, Bond thought, then the Jensen FF would do the job admirably.
After a good few months of being sworn to absolute secrecy, here is what the JOC is doing for the books ‘Press Launch’
William Boyd’s chauffeur will deliver him to the Dorchester in George Zdanko’s FF Mk I. After a briefing to the press, Mr Boyd will then sign 7 books and each will be put into its own sealed Perspex case. These cases will then be handed over to 7 British Airways stewardesses who will then individually get into one of 7 waiting Jensen cars. The cars will then leave the Dorchester for Heathrow Terminal 5 (VIP) via the A4. The cars in the line up will be:
1. Steve Hodder, FF Mk II, YFC 517 - Amsterdam (Solo 001)
2. Dave Newby, FF Mk II, 872 AYL - Edinburgh (Solo 002)
3. John Staddon, CV8 Mk III, DPR 300C - Zurich (Solo 003)
4. Darren Barnes, 541, SXU 567 - Los Angeles (Solo 004)
5. Martin Ritchie, FF Mk I, CMB 898 - Delhi (Solo 005)
6. Martin Kemp, Interceptor Convertible, OND 336P - Cape Town (Solo 006)
7. Nigel McMorrin, Interceptor Mk I, LOJ 44F - Sydney (Solo 007).
The books will then be flown – at some time during the day - on British Airways flights to their destinations.
Some photos from outside the Dorchester this morning:
Solo is based in 1969 and starts off in the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London. It is James Bond’s birthday and he leaves the hotel and goes into the local Jensen Dealership to look at an Interceptor. He instead finds himself being captivated by the FF that they have in the showroom. Below is part of the press release for the book.
The setting of the launch mirrors the opening of the new book, where Bond – a veteran agent at 45 – celebrates his 45th birthday with an evening of gambling, fine dining at The Dorchester and, of course, a flirtation with a beautiful woman with whom he may, or may not, go on to have a love affair.
Refreshed after an excellent night’s sleep and his favourite breakfast at the hotel, he carries on his birthday celebrations by heading into a car showroom on Park Lane and taking one of the most sought after cars of the 1960s, a Jensen FF, for a spin.
[i]“The Jensen FF,” Eddie said softly in veneration, almost with a catch in his voice. “Four wheel drive.” He opened the door. “Step in, Mr Bond. Try her for size.”
Bond slipped into the driving seat and rested his hands on the wooden rim of the steering wheel, his eyes taking in the grouped dials on the fascia, his nostrils filled with the smell of new leather. It worked on him like an aphrodisiac.
[/i]
And continued later
Bond felt he was in a low flying plane rather than an automobile as he accelerated the Jensen…. If you needed a car to boost your ego, Bond thought, then the Jensen FF would do the job admirably.
After a good few months of being sworn to absolute secrecy, here is what the JOC is doing for the books ‘Press Launch’
William Boyd’s chauffeur will deliver him to the Dorchester in George Zdanko’s FF Mk I. After a briefing to the press, Mr Boyd will then sign 7 books and each will be put into its own sealed Perspex case. These cases will then be handed over to 7 British Airways stewardesses who will then individually get into one of 7 waiting Jensen cars. The cars will then leave the Dorchester for Heathrow Terminal 5 (VIP) via the A4. The cars in the line up will be:
1. Steve Hodder, FF Mk II, YFC 517 - Amsterdam (Solo 001)
2. Dave Newby, FF Mk II, 872 AYL - Edinburgh (Solo 002)
3. John Staddon, CV8 Mk III, DPR 300C - Zurich (Solo 003)
4. Darren Barnes, 541, SXU 567 - Los Angeles (Solo 004)
5. Martin Ritchie, FF Mk I, CMB 898 - Delhi (Solo 005)
6. Martin Kemp, Interceptor Convertible, OND 336P - Cape Town (Solo 006)
7. Nigel McMorrin, Interceptor Mk I, LOJ 44F - Sydney (Solo 007).
The books will then be flown – at some time during the day - on British Airways flights to their destinations.
Some photos from outside the Dorchester this morning:
This will boost the value of classic Jensens, particularly Interceptors, FF's and SP's. Time to cash out - they are big tanks, though they were undoubtedly impressive in their time. Quite a credible car for Bond to buy. Power, luxury and style, and a degree understated. Now, it will be interesting to see if Mr Boyd actually knows anything about them.
I had three , two with the 440 and one with the 383. I make no apologies for the max power look achieved. It seemed like a good idea at the time . 
Picture illustrates that off road parking was encouraged so as not to block the highways of busy secondary streets in SW 17 in the late seventies. Also worth mentioning the properties in the background now selling in excess of 2 million quid , depending on specification. They were then available for around 30 thousand GBP , depending on how many sitting tenants resided in them.
Picture illustrates that off road parking was encouraged so as not to block the highways of busy secondary streets in SW 17 in the late seventies. Also worth mentioning the properties in the background now selling in excess of 2 million quid , depending on specification. They were then available for around 30 thousand GBP , depending on how many sitting tenants resided in them.
cardigankid said:
Now, it will be interesting to see if Mr Boyd actually knows anything about them.
Indeed, because Fleming didn't know much about Aston Martins. He incorrectly refers to the DB Mark III as the DBIII throughout the novel and said that Bond chose the Aston in preference to the Jag because 'it had plenty of concealed space that would fox most Customs men.' He'd obviously never been in one 
Dr Interceptor said:
You're right it must be the FF - the extra length in the nose will allow for the obligatory 'Q' gadgets - there wouldn't be room for missiles in the standard Interceptor, plus they'd wreak havoc with the cooling.
I'll look forward to reading this....
Probably o/t but I had the privilege of looking around the Harry Ferguson museum last week, where there's an FF. What an incredible car! There was some other very interesting machines in there too I'll look forward to reading this....
mikial said:
I had three , two with the 440 and one with the 383. I make no apologies for the max power look achieved. It seemed like a good idea at the time .
Picture illustrates that off road parking was encouraged so as not to block the highways of busy secondary streets in SW 17 in the late seventies. Also worth mentioning the properties in the background now selling in excess of 2 million quid , depending on specification. They were then available for around 30 thousand GBP , depending on how many sitting tenants resided in them.
hhhmmmm, big want.Picture illustrates that off road parking was encouraged so as not to block the highways of busy secondary streets in SW 17 in the late seventies. Also worth mentioning the properties in the background now selling in excess of 2 million quid , depending on specification. They were then available for around 30 thousand GBP , depending on how many sitting tenants resided in them.
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