James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (EON, 1981), Citroën 2CV From The Car Chase Sequence....

Description

James Bond: For Your Eyes Only (EON, 1981), Citroën 2CV From The Car Chase Sequence. Yellow Citroën 2CV, one of six used for the 7-minute car chase sequence in which James Bond (Roger Moore) and Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet) escape from Gonzales's Villa on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain. This vehicle was the 'pristine' car used at the beginning of the sequence as Bond and Melina make their escape. One of just three 2CVs modified to withstand the action required by the filmmakers. Mechanically it was fitted with a more powerful Citroën GS 1015cc engine not commercially available on a 2CV (which used 602cc engines); interior floor was painted black to replicate the black rubber mats which were removed for safety, with flat box tubes installed for reinforcement; featuring a black taped stripe along each sill finished in yellow spray paint - a feature identifiable on each of the cars used. The filmmakers dressed the 2CVs with reproduction Spanish style number plates with vinyl lettering "M-1026-A". Number plate made in England prior to filming, identifiable by small print on the plate read "TUCKERS BS AU 145", which was only available in the UK at the time of production; this car was used specifically for the driving shots with Moore and Bouquet, therefore not fitted with a roll cage as it would have been visible on camera.
As 007 takes the wheel he shakes off two Peugeot pursuit cars by barreling down lanes, lurching through a sleepy village, and literally flies through the olive groves in this seemingly indestructible 2CV. Director John Glen says, "I love that scene; it was the complete opposite of what one would expect, it's usually an Aston Martin, so I thought let's go the absolute opposite end of the spectrum with a Deux Chevaux." When interviewed on BBC's Top Gear Roger Moore proclaimed it to be his favorite Bond car and later wrote in his memoir, "It was huge fun to drive down through olive groves in." While the scenes are set in Spain, the filming took place on the island of Corfu in September 1980. The action was handled by French precision stunt driver Rémy Julienne and his team. This marks the first time one of the 2CVs used in For Your Eyes Only has been offered at auction. Note: reference image showing James Bond (Roger Moore) driving the car may not be this exact car.
Provenance: While six 2CVs were used, this is one of the three modified cars prepared by Ken Sheppard at Pinewood Studios prior to the filming of For Your Eyes Only in 1980 - this being the 'pristine' car used at the beginning of the sequence as Bond and Melina make their escape. Once filming was complete, the three modified cars returned to the UK; One was sold to a private UK collector; another retained by Citroën for its private collection; the third (the present Lot) was sent to a vehicle recycling facility in Paris; it was recovered from destruction by Philippe Wambergue, a collector and racer of Citroën cars; acquired by the current owner in 2004.
As this 2CV was rescued from a scrapyard it has been fitted with replacement but faithful period yellow doors and boot lid, yellow roof, and seats. Exhibits areas of yellow paint peeling in addition to production wear to both the bodywork and interior. The present Lot is sold as a prop car for display purposes, and is not roadworthy nor tested for roadworthiness in its present condition. This Lot is located in The Netherlands, and special shipping arrangements via third party shipper will apply.
VIN: AZ-KA-59KA2239
Body production number: 00 960048
Chassis production number: 11 159795
Engine number (GS-engine): 0693008577
Colour number: AC 333
Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.
Heritage Auctions would like to thank Matthew Field, acclaimed Bond car historian, for his research into this Lot.
References:
A Tale of 2CVs, by Nigel Fryatt, AUTOCAR, May 16, 1981.
The Citroën Interview: John Glen, by Anne Gregg, CITROËN MAGAZINE, June 1981.
Top Gear: 50 Years of Bond Cars TX: October 29, 2012.
Bond On Bond by Roger Moore with Gareth Owen, Michael O'Mara Books Limited, 2012.
John Glen: Interviewed by Matthew Field, May 30, 2024.

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