It seems every time we’re at an auction, movie cars command the spotlight. Combine an automobile with an appearance in a James Bond flick and chances are most people’s attention is going to swivel to that over any other car. The vehicle you see here is the very one moviegoers saw in the downtown Las Vegas chase scene in “Diamonds Are Forever.” This “hero” car is currently being restored at the Blue Oval Car Barn in Texas.
“Diamonds Are Forever,” produced by Eon Productions, is the final James Bond movie to feature Sean Connery (though he would go on to appear as 007 in the 1983 movie “Never Say Never Again,” produced by Taliafilm). The 1971 flick featured a red 1971 Mustang Mach 1 SportsRoof in a famous scene with Connery and Jill St. John that ends with a spectacular two-wheeled escape through a narrow alley.
(All you trivia buffs may have already noticed that the Mustang enters the alley leaning to the right, but exits the alley leaning to the left!)
Determining the hero car was not easy because the cars were not special-ordered through Ford. Rather, according to the Ian Fleming Foundation, Ford supplied the producers with existing cars in its channel. The producer recalled three Mach 1s with Bright Red exteriors, Vermillion interiors, sport deck rear seats, tinted glass, and dual exhausts, but others contended there were eight. The latter has been confirmed by the Foundation in conjunction with several enthusiasts. According to the Blue Oval Car Barn, there was one 302 stunt car, four 351-4V stunt cars, and three Cobra Jets — one C-code (without ram air) and two J-codes (with ram air). The hero car is one of the latter, and one of the other Cobra Jet cars was also used for various shots in the scene.
In fact, the Ian Fleming Foundation is seeking 10 distinguished patrons (at $25,000 each) to be part of the resurrection of this legendary Mustang. As a patron, you will preserve automotive and film history, plus:
- Be recognized as a founding patron on the Foundation’s website and any time the car is displayed.
- Enjoy exclusive access to the car’s behind-the-scenes restoration, plus a front-row seat to the red-carpet unveiling at the 2026 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) in Chicago. Additionally, the Mustang will be made available for your private events.
- Support legacy and education via a front-row seat to the production of a series of videos chronicling the restoration that will serve as both a historical record and an educational tool.
- Own a piece of the legend with an 18-inch commemorative trophy created from original parts of the car itself.
If you cannot swing being a patron, you can still catch this Mustang’s unveiling at the 2026 MCACN show in November.
The Ian Fleming Foundation is a public benefit nonprofit U.S. 501(c)3 corporation, and donations are tax deductible for U.S. citizens and entities.
