The Ford Fairlane (2nd Generation) is a convertible automobile manufactured by Ford in North America. A second-generation (1957) vehicle was featured in EON Productions' 1965 James Bond Film Thunderball while another appeared in 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day.
Overview[]
For 1957, a new style gave a longer, wider, lower, and sleeker look with low tailfins. The new proportions and modern styling were a hit with customers to the extent that the Ford outsold Chevrolet in 1957 for the first time since 1935.[1] Engines were largely the same as the year before. The big news for 1957 was the introduction of the Fairlane 500 Skyliner power retractable hardtop, whose solid top hinged and folded down into the trunk space at the touch of a button.
History[]
Thunderball[]
A black 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Hardtop was used by the SPECTRE agent Count Lippe when he chased James Bond who was leaving the Shrublands health spa in his DB5. Approaching from behind, the Count attempts to shoot 007 with a revolver. As Bond prepares the car's defenses, Lippe's vehicle suddenly bursts into flames - shot from behind by the rockets of a masked assassin's motorcycle. As the assassin streaks past, Lippe's vehicle careers out of control and topples into a ditch where it explodes violently. It is revealed that Lippe was killed by Volpe on Blofeld's orders, as punishment for his poor judgement in hiring the greedy Palazzi.
Die Another Day[]
In the film Die Another Day, after escaping from the custody of MI6, James Bond travels to Cuba on the trail of North Korean terrorist, Zao. It is there that he meets with Raoul, a sleeper agent who resides in Havana. Raoul provides Bond with some information on Zao who has travelled to Dr. Alvarez's clinic on the island of Los Organos and loans Bond a brown and cream 1957 Ford Fairlane to travel there. The vehicle was ostensibly unarmed and is only seen briefly, as part of a product placement agreement with the Ford Motor Company.
Trivia[]
- The name is derived from Henry Ford's estate, Fair Lane, near Dearborn, Michigan.
References[]
- ↑ Archived copy. Retrieved on August 2, 2015.