James Bond’s Most Impractical Gadgets and Cars: A Look Back at 007 Through the Years

“Pay attention 007!”

This phrase is often heard from James Bond’s quartermaster, “Q” as he demonstrates the latest inventions from MI6. Q is the no-nonsense genius responsible for designing many of the high-tech weapons and gadgets that viewers love from the series. Whether the fully submersible Lotus Esprit, the Omega laser wristwatch, or the wrist-mounted guns to the Walther PPK, Bond has had access to some seriously nifty gadgets for his stealth missions.

The most recent movie installments (starring Daniel Craig) have featured far fewer gadgets than ever before, after Pierce Brosnan’s “Die Another Day” was largely panned for relying too heavily on gadgets. After “Die Another Day,” fans wanted a more realistic, less techie Bond.

Since then, new Bond films rely more on fists and combat skills to defeat the bad guys. Nowhere was this more evident than 2015’s “Spectre,” a Bond film that featured exactly ZERO gadgets for the first time in the series history.

But we miss when Bond was more of a true “spy.” To us, that’s what made the Bond series so special and different from others in the genre. Gadgets are as much a hallmark as the Bond girls, villains, and opening soundtrack. We even love the truly absurd spy tech!

So while we wait for the next movie, “No Time to Die,” we’re counting down some of the most wacky and impractical spy gadgets used by Bond – the gadgets that made us question whether Q is an actual genius or has finally lost his marbles.

Spiked Umbrella

Movie: For Your Eyes Only

Release: 1981

Bond Actor: Roger Moore

“Stinging in the rain!” This experimental gadget, produced by Q Branch, is a spiked umbrella that extracts sharp claws on its user when exposed to water – not very useful for all those rainy London days.

Wetsuit with Duck Headgear

Movie: Goldfinger

Release: 1964

Bond Actor: Sean Connery

During a stealth mission to an enemy base, Bond wears a comical scuba suit equipped with a decoy duck on top of his head. Thankfully, moments later, Bond ditches the bird and wetsuit to reveal his iconic white tuxedo underneath.

Laser Polaroid Camera

Movie: License to Kill

Release: 1989**    **

Bond Actor: Timothy Dalton

Q and Bond are almost fried by Bond girl Pam Bouvier when she unwittingly snaps a photo with a camera that fires laser beams. The printed photo shows an x-ray image of just their skeletons. This is just another instance that proves it’s always best not to touch Q’s belongings.

Oddjob’s Razor Hat

Movie: Dr. No

Release: 1962

Bond Actor: Sean Connery

While not a gadget used by James Bond, the razor-edged bowler hat worn by  the villain Oddjob that can be hurled like a frisbee towards enemies. When thrown hard enough, the hat can even cut through metal and stone.

Rocket-Firing Cigarette

Movie: You Only Live Twice

Release: 1967

Bond Actor: Sean Connery

After being captured by Blofeld, Bond is allowed “one last cigarette” while listening to the villain’s nefarious scheme. Fortunately for 007, these cigarettes are able to fire rocket-propelled bullets.

Explosive Toothpaste

Movie: License to Kill

Release: 1989

Bond Actor: Timothy Dalton

In the movie “License to Kill”, Q disguises plastic explosives inside a toothpaste container with a remote receiver. Bond uses this gadget while trying to assassinate the villain Sanchez, but is stopped by a team of ninjas.

**Ghetto-Blaster **

Movie: The Living Daylights

Release: 1987

Bond Actor: Timothy Dalton

While touring Q Branch, Bond and Q encounter a live testing of the Ghetto Blaster. This boombox fires explosive rockets towards enemies, while of course playing your favorite cassettes. After the live fire demonstration, Q happily exclaims, “perfect for the Americans!”

Revolving Couch (Swallowing Couch)

Movie: The Living Daylights

Release: 1987

Bond Actor: Timothy Dalton

Likely an invention created just to amuse himself, Q tested a revolving couch that swallows and captures whoever sits on it.

Pocket Snap Trap

Movie: Diamonds Are Forever

Release: 1971

Bond Actor: Sean Connery

After being captured by Blofeld, Bond is quickly searched for weapons. As the henchman searches Bond’s coat pockets, his hand trips a nasty booby trap that snapped down on his hands like a mouse trap.

Bagpipe Flamethrower

Movie: The World Is Not Enough

Release: 1999

Bond Actor: Pierce Brosnan

While walking the halls of MI6, Bond stops to hear a Scottish piper playing in Q Branch. Q’s loudest invention is a bagpipe that doubles as a machine gun and flamethrower. After some banter between the two, Q tells Bond, “Oh, pipe down, 007!”

Wheelchair Missile Launcher

Movie: Goldeneye

Release: 1995

Bond Actor: Pierce Brosnan

Still in testing at Q Branch, the Wheelchair Missile Launcher is made to look like someone had broken their leg when, in reality, it houses a hidden rocket launcher capable of taking down foes who decide to park in the handicap spot. We like to think that Bond actor Daniel Craig uses this device after breaking his ankle on the set of No Time to Die.

Hovercraft Gondola (Bondola)

Movie: Moonraker

Release: 1979

Bond Actor: Roger Moore

Bond is enjoying a leisurely gondola ride through the Venetian canals when an enemy boat opens fire on him. A speedboat race ensues and Bond expertly pilots his gondola through the canals to make a getaway. Q equipped the “Bondola’’ with all sorts of upgrades, including the ability to transform his boat into a land hovercraft, which Bond drives through the busy Venice streets.

Crocodile Submarine

Movie: Octopussy

Release: 1983

Bond Actor: Roger Moore

Easily one of the more ridiculous gadgets on our list, Bond infiltrates Octopussy’s floating palace using a submarine disguised as a crocodile.

Dragon Tank

Movie: Dr. No

Release: 1962

Bond Actor: Sean Connery

While searching for Dr. No, Bond hears stories from local fishermen of a dragon that roams Crab Key island. When Bond convinces CIA Agent Quarrel to investigate, they find a “dragon that runs on a diesel engine.” The pair split up and Bond attempts to take out the tires while Quarrel takes out the guard. Because of the limited visibility though, they’re unsuccessful. Moments later, the Dragon Tank spits a huge ball of flame toward the two spies.

Conclusion

Without Q and his spy gadgets, James Bond would have surely been killed in his early assignments. And while it’s cool to see Bond as a brawler nowadays, we really hope 007 gets back to actual espionage. After all, he’s pretty good at it.

The Little Car Company, Aston Martin and EON Productions today announced the launch of a No Time To Die special edition Aston Martin DB5 Junior. Inspired by the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, released in cinemas from September 30, the film sees the return of the iconic Aston Martin DB5. This unique collaboration with The Little Car Company has created a gadget-laden collector’s item. The two-thirds scale version of the original comes with a fully electric powertrain.

Specifications

The No Time To Die edition will pay homage to the rich shared history of the brands, with Silver Birch paintwork, Smiths instruments, individually numbered chassis plates and completed with Aston Martin badging. In true Bond style, this special edition boasts even greater power and range over the standard DB5 Vantage Junior, giving it a higher level of performance.

After extensive development and months of collaboration between the three companies, the car is a truly authentic homage to both the Aston Martin and 007 brands. The original Aston Martin DB5 was 3D-scanned for reference, allowing a completely accurate reproduction. Whilst some elements of the car have been replicated, such as the Smiths instruments on the dashboard, some elements have been reimagined for the modern era. The fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, while the oil temperature now monitors the motor temperature.

The No Time To Die Special Edition has been designed as a convertible, and not the fixed head coupe driven by 007. This is to offer seating for an adult and child side by side, allowing all generations of Bond fans to share the love of driving. With multiple driving modes and a range of up to 80 miles, aspiring secret agents should be able to escape any situation. There are also some secret ‘Easter Eggs’ hidden within the car for the lucky owners to find.

A quick-release steering wheel allows for a speedy entry and exit for the driver, and when they need to stop in a hurry, they can rely on both regenerative braking and high-performance Brembo disc brakes. Bilstein dampers and coilover springs make sure the suspension can handle the performance squeezed into this two-thirds scale marvel.

No Time To Die Specification

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 has become a much-loved character in its own right. No Bond car would be complete without Q style gadgets, and the Aston Martin DB5 Junior No Time To Die edition is no exception.

Chris Corbould OBE, the Oscar®-winning special effects supervisor, has worked on fifteen James Bond films since the early 1980s, and he consulted with The Little Car Company on the development of the car’s complex gadgets in miniature;

“When I saw the DB5 Junior in the flesh, I was amazed at how identical it is to the full-sized car – its stunning. It’s an amazing feat of engineering.”

All the gadgets, are operated by individual controls in a hidden switch panel in the passenger door. At the push of a button, the headlights drop to reveal a twin set of simulated Gatling guns, complete with imitation barrel blasts and flashes.

As witnessed in the No Time To Die trailer, the skid mode comes in handy when caught in a tight spot. The No Time To Die special edition has a unique digital number plate activated through the hidden control panel.

Just like the original car, this special edition can produce a smoke screen to aid a successful getaway. Ejected through the rear ‘exhaust’, the smoke has a supply tank which supplies an hour of safe smoke before it needs topping up.

Although the DB5 Junior is not road legal, as an authentic Aston Martin model, every owner will receive automatic membership of the respected Aston Martin Owners Club. In addition, all clients will receive complimentary membership of The Little Car Club, allowing them to take part in exclusive events where they, their children and their grandchildren can drive their DB5 Juniors on the most prestigious racetracks.

Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company, said: “Regarded as the most famous car in cinematic history, the gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 awed audiences around the world over fifty years ago. Now, that story continues. As part of an exclusive partnership with EON Productions and Aston Martin, we have had the opportunity to create something truly unique for James Bond fans and collectors. We can’t wait to see the adventures these cars take with their owners.”

Bond fans worldwide are able to secure one of the limited-edition No Time To Die editions of the DB5 Junior by visiting 007junior.com. With only 125 cars being built, build slots are allocated on a first come, first-served basis, by placing a fully refundable deposit.

Pricing for the car has been set at £90,000, plus local taxes. Existing Aston Martin DB5 Junior clients will be given first refusal on upgrading to a No Time To Die edition, and remaining build slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.