James Bond would have loved this one-of-a-kind Bentley, and it’s finally real…
When people talk about James Bond’s cars, everyone immediately thinks of the Aston Martin DB5—an icon of the 007 films, or even the more recent DBS and DB10 seen in Casino Royale and Spectre. Yet in Ian Fleming’s novels, the secret agent primarily drove a Bentley, notably a certain “Locomotive,” a completely fictional model. That is, until a passionate fan decided to recreate it in real life.
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A Bentley straight out of a novel
It was while reading Ian Fleming’s meticulous descriptions that Tony Hunter, an automotive designer and huge James Bond fan, had a somewhat crazy idea: to bring the Bentley “Locomotive” to life. In the novels, this car is supposed to be a one-of-a-kind model—a modified Bentley Continental purchased by Bond after an accident left it in ruins. To build this car born from Fleming’s imagination, Hunter chose a 1953 Bentley Continental R-Type as the base. The project was supposed to take 18 months… but it eventually took seven years. However, the effort was worth it: every detail was designed to perfectly capture the universe of the world’s most famous spy. Under the hood, you’ll find a fully restored 4.9-liter inline-six from the Bentley S1. To make the car as effective as Bond himself, a second fuel tank was added, allowing it to cover long distances without stopping.
Gadgets worthy of 007
A James Bond car without gadgets is like a Martini without vodka. So, Tony Hunter made sure to add a few surprises inspired by the films and books. Behind the grille? A secret compartment. On the dashboard? Switches to activate fake machine guns, a smoke machine, and a device to spread oil on the road to throw off potential pursuers. And because James Bond remains a gentleman, a drawer hidden under the dashboard holds a flask and some mysterious pills—a detail that would surely have made Ian Fleming smile. The onboard phone is another incredible nod: Hunter found an authentic handset from a 1950s RAF bomber, which he connected to an iPhone hidden under the center console. A subtle touch of modernity, integrated without compromising the spirit of the car.
A car built to drive, not to sit in a garage
Unlike movie cars that are often limited to static appearances, this Bentley Locomotive is fully functional and meant to be driven. Tony Hunter has no intention of letting it gather dust. His goal? To take it out on the road, especially across Europe, just as Bond would. Kudos to him—it’s a fantastic project, whether you’re a car fan or a movie buff! With a style inspired by the 1950s, an elegant body, and an engine ready to devour miles, this one-of-a-kind Bentley is a true declaration of love for the James Bond universe.
This article explores the bold recreation of the Bentley Locomotive, inspired by the James Bond novels, the 007-worthy gadgets integrated into the car, and its ambition to hit the roads around the world.
