Citroen 2CV

Starred in:

For Your Eyes Only (1981, Roger Moore) — $115.8 million*

After marine archeologist Melina Havelock avenges the murder of her parents, Bond assists in the getaway by driving her rental car, a modified Citroen 2CV.

In the chase that ensues, this perky, bright yellow car takes an unbelievable beating, even tumbling down an embankment. But Bond successfully shakes off the speedier Peugeot 504 sedans that are in hot pursuit.

The Citroen 2CV — short for “Deux Chevaux”, meaning “two horses” in French — is the antithesis of a Bond car. It was conceived in the mid-1930s with the French farmer in mind, a car for those who couldn’t afford one otherwise. Its rudimentary design and construction emphasized practicality in every aspect — from the rollback canvas roof for hauling bulky items, to the removable canvas seats that could double as lawn chairs. Even if later versions did trade up to seats with removable cushions — yes, cushions, the 2CV version of luxury! — there is absolutely nothing ostentatious about this car, quite the opposite of what 007 favors.

This yellow Citroen 2CV took a beating in For Your Eyes Only.

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Still, the 2CV was a modern marvel when it debuted in 1948, after a long delay caused by World War II. Its innovations included independent suspension and front-wheel drive. The ingenious construction incorporated many flat panels and simplified parts (like those canvas seats), ensuring it would be an inexpensive car to make and maintain.

It had a mere 9 hp in its original form — 29 in its final — and was thoroughly derided throughout its long life. The masses did embrace it, though. More than five million sold up until its last year of production in 1990.

Although some Bond fans dismiss the car as too laughably plebian for their hero, it does have an aura of automotive cool. Only the Volkswagen Beetle can touch the 2CV in terms of mass appeal that spans decades.

It might be an ugly duckling to the automotive critics, but the car’s austere beauty lends an unmistakable charm, helping make it one of the most beloved cult cars of all time.

The Gadgets:

Nothing but an indestructible nature — that is, unless you count the cushioned seats.

Bond's Lotus Esprit Turbo

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Did You Know …

• The 2CV, simplistic in the extreme, couldn’t be more different than the cheeky, high-strung supercar it shared the screen with — the Lotus Esprit Turbo. Although the chase scene allows the 2CV to steal the starring role here, the Lotus Esprit Turbo struts its stuff, as well. A white Esprit uses its self-destructing feature to thwart would-be car thieves. Later in the movie, Bond gets a second Esprit — a Turbo — that is featured in two brief scenes. This one is copper colored, with a roof rack for skis. The Turbo, with its potent engine, was a hopped-up version of the Esprit featured in The Spy Who Loved Me.

• Sheena Easton sang the title song, a top-10 hit in the U.S. and Great Britain. She is shown performing during the opening credits of the film, the first, and so far the only, theme singer in the Bond series to have that distinction.