THUNDERPALL MALL as top Bond book Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond – Volume One is privately celebrated by a bespoke evening at the RAC Club on London’s Pall Mall.
Immersed in the history, trappings, and traditions of the RAC’s clubhouse, Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field’s beautiful alloy of a Bond book was honoured in apt style on Tuesday November 18th 2025.
In attendance was a whole roadside hamper of motoring, literary, London, RAC members and keen chair folk, Bond advocates, Porter Press’ publishing team, authors, and this bullet catcher.
The delicious Cougar from OHMSS flanked the RAC’s carpeted rotunda and all manner of car prowess and insight rubbed bumpers with the world of Bond and its vehicular icons.
Alongside co-author Matthew Field in the starting grid were Mike Ashley, Iain Heggie, and Dave Worrall. Leading a fascinating, humorous, candid and insightful look at the DB5 and Aston Martin’s 1960s marriage to 007, the guests led a bespoke evening about the joy of motoring, cinema and the characters who changed the metaphorical tyres on both.
Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond – Volume One is a wholly rich, in-depth work – one which Field and Chowdhury have filled their tank with hundreds of exclusive interviews with filmmakers, actors, stunt-drivers, motor industry executives, museum curators and private vehicle owners alongside a whole motor show’s worth of motoring and entertainment periodicals, books, magazines and unpublished ephemera.
No story is the same, and race track alumni, rare finds, keen investigations and abandoned garages are key to the ever curious timeline of these movie cars. This book is a rich victory lap and vital to Bond and cinematic history.
Thanks to Ajay Chowdhury, Matthew Field, Porter Press, and the RAC.
All photos / Mark O’Connell
