The Original James Bond 007 Cars

The Bo'ness Motor Museum is located in the heart of Scotland and is home to the most beautiful and astonishing private collection of James Bond cars, props, toys, collectables and classic cars ever displayed under, one roof.

The museum itself is a slick and smart piece of design. The layout, displays, themed sections and areas are simply amazing. This Bond treasury, as I like to call it, can satisfy car and vehicle enthusiasts, film and TV fans, collectors of vintage artefacts and products and even adults and children. As soon as you enter you know how unique this establishment is. It really is unlike any other museum you have ever seen. Photos and words cannot do this establishment justice you really need to go and experience it for yourself. It really is a fantastic day out and it leaves you wanting to go back as soon as you have left. The museum boasts a vast range of props which include; Bond, Thunderbirds, Dr Who's tardis and darleks, a full size terminator and props from T2 and much, much more.

The museum was officially opened in 2004 by Caroline Munro and Shane Rimmer from The Spy Who Loved Me. Since opening it has been host to some fantastic Bond nights and events such as; a night with ‘Jaws' which gave Richard Kiel the chance to relax and have dinner and drinks with Bond fans and enthusiasts. It has also been visited by Maud Adams who played ‘Octopussy' and Andrea Anders in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun' amongst many other Bond actors and film stars including Heather Ripley from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The themes and interiors of the museum are very stylish and sleek. The James Bond section which houses the film cars has the distinct feel of a Q lab to it. It is filled with momentums which take you back over the past forty five years of the Bond films, with items such as a tuxedo worn by George Lazenby and the Missile launcher used on the stealth boat in Tomorrow Never Dies. TV screens show the actual cars you are looking at being used in the films and other screens showing very rare documentaries detailing the original Bond cars and the evolution and the production of Aston Martins and other beautiful iconic classic cars which the museum displays. You learn a great deal from your visit.

The museums interiors and fixtures were designed and built by the owner and founder Mr Colin Anderson himself. The museum displays an outstanding collection of collectables and memorabilia from vintage 50's, 60's and 70's toys to the latest models and replicas. There is also a large collection of motoring memorabilia from the past 60 years from an original shell petrol pump to the phenomenal classic car that is the ‘Studebaker'. The Bond cars and themes are only part of this establishment as it displays lots of other classic Aston martins, Rolls Royce's, Jaguars and American classic cars. However, as Mr Anderson is a keen Bond fan, the Bond style does run strong throughout the museum. There is also a 50's nostalgia diner which really does take you back in time.

As if the cars weren't enough the museum features the ultimate OO7 Bar. The Bar is situated on the top level of the museum and is the perfect place for every Bond fan to relax and have a Vesper or a Martini; shaken or stirred the choice is yours. The bar is immersed in Bond props, memorabilia and rarities, all displayed elegantly and professionally along every wall. The bar features relaxing lounge areas with a cosy but very spacious seating arrangement of couches and chairs. I love this venue so much that I am planning to organise some Bond events, meetings and hopefully an all night Bond party in the near future.

My advice to all the readers of this article is ‘Go' it is an amazing day out and a must if you are visiting Scotland. Forget all the St Andrews, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Scottish history landmarks and museums, this is the place to visit when you come to Scotland, you can visit those places after the Bo'ness motor museum. The museum is conveniently located 15 miles from Edinburgh and 30 miles from Glasgow.

I would like to thank Mr Colin Anderson for being a fantastic host and for giving me the rare and very privileged opportunity to interact with his outstanding and simply breathtaking collection of James Bond cars and props. The memories will last a life time. It really was a Bond experience for the family album.

‘Thanks Colin, you're a true Gentleman'. Please visit the Bo'ness Motor museum and it's website at http://www.motor-museum.bo-ness.org.uk/

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