Sorry, it wasn't "The Autobiography of James Bond". I found the book
last night, its "James Bond. The Authorized Biography" (well, I was
close!) by John Pearson (whom worked for Ian Fleming and also wrote
"The Life of Ian Fleming"). By the way, the book reveals that Ian
Fleming actually knew a real James Bond who also attended Eton albeit
somewhat later. The real James Bond was just like the character in
the books too... interesting, but I digress.
In the book: Bond meets this rich bint, Marthe de Brandt, who indulged
and spoilt our hero. She was quit a bit older than him too. Anyway,
one of her extravagances was that she bought him "the famous Bentley
with the Villiers supercharger. (Fleming got the details pf the
purchase slightly wrong - also,, of course, the date, one of a number
of inaccuracies which have caused Bond subsequent embarrassment.)"
She bought it him in 1936.
Hmmm. The only clue here is that the supercharger was mentioned.
So our James had a 'blower' Bentley (1929 4 1/2 litre Supercharged Bentley)
with the Amherst Villiers supercharger specially designed for this car.
The 'blower' Bentley was only built in 1929 of which at least 50 had to be
built to meet the requirements of entering the 1930 Le Mans which was the
intent all along. They may have sold them as 1930 cars too.
I assume Bonds' car was grey in colour: "He had his great grey battleship
of a motor-car which Herr Nisberg garaged for him behind the shop".
I can't find any mention of the purchase as eluded to above. It must
be in one of the early books. I believe Bond met Marthe de Brandt
near the time of his "Casino Royale" (the first book) episode since
there is plenty of mention of Monte Carlo in the biography about
this time. All my Bond books must be up in the attic stuffed away in
boxes, and I ain't about to go digging up there!
James Bond, motor car critique:
==============================
On taking a friend a ride in a white Rolls Royce Corniche:
"He drove with a relaxed control which somehow matched the car,
but seemed to have a faint contempt for it.
"'Pity the way the Rolls Royce has become like any other car -
just one more status symbol now for rich Americans.'
"'You don't like it?'
"'Everything about it's soft, ridiculously luxurious. This isn't
what a car should be. The last real car that Rolls produced was the
1953 Silver Wraith. One of those with Mulliner coach-work, and you have
something.'
"It was somehow typical of Bond to be complaining about luxury
whilst still enjoying it.
"I asked him about his favourite cars. The old Bentley was the
best. The essence of the car is that it should be part of you, an
expression of your character. He explained that for him a motor-car
was as personal as a wrist-watch or the clothes he wore. It needed to
be absolutely perfect."
Hey, Mister Bond, that's *H.J.* Mulliner to you!
Anyway, I thought y'all may be interested.
- Garry Archer
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