The International Spy Museum is opening an exhibit in March that will display the iconic vehicles used by and against the world’s most famous movie spy — James Bond.
“Bond in Motion,” opening March 1, will showcase 17 full-sized spy vehicles seen throughout the 007 franchise, including the banged-up Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008); the machine gun-mounted Jaguar convertible from Die Another Day (2002); the signature submarine from For Your Eyes Only (1981); and a hang glider from Moonraker (1979). Visitors can even take a photo while sitting on the snowmobile seen in Die Another Day.
While the Spy Museum already features a silver Aston Martin from 1964’s Goldfinger in its lobby and has a exhibit dedicated to Hollywood depictions of secret agents, “Bond in Motion” represents a new chapter for the two-decade-old institution.
Since opening its L’Enfant Plaza location in May 2019, the museum’s exhibits have been mostly stagnant, showcasing pieces from its collection of more than 9,000 artifacts that deal with the history of global espionage. But this year, the museum will start presenting a rotation of special exhibits, beginning with this collection of high-tech cars, boats, and other fictional modes of spy travel from more than a dozen Bond films.
The traveling exhibit is not included in the base price of the museum’s admission; it costs $10 as an add-on to the regular price of admission ($26 for adults) or $12 as a standalone ticket. The vehicles will be on display through April 2025.
“Bond in Motion” is a collaboration between EON Productions (the company behind the Bond films) and the Ian Fleming Foundation. It’s already made stops in automobile and film museums in cities including London, Brussels, Prague, and Saratoga Springs, New York; though, some of the vehicles have changed for each iteration. The D.C. version will feature interactive displays and clips from the Bond films to go alongside the vehicles.
The museum’s curators say the fictional gadgets and vehicles will complement the real-world espionage artifacts seen throughout the permanent exhibits.
“Even real intelligence agencies devising spy tools have found inspiration through these captivating gadget-filled movies and vehicles, sometimes propelling fictional inventions from fantasy into reality,” Amanda Ohlke, the museum’s director of adult programming, said in a statement.
Oh, and another surprise for Spy visitors: The museum is bringing back its viral Shark Tank interactive video from the original location, according to a spokesperson.
“Bond in Motion,” opens March 1 at the International Spy Museum; admission is $12, or $10 with general museum admission ($26+); tickets go on sale soon.
Elliot C. Williams


