"Are you with the press?"  said the ticket lady.  Trying not to break my cover I reluctantly said "Yes, where do I go?" 

 "Straight through those doors.  Then up the escalators.  The first door will lead you to the exhibit."

I did exactly what she said and proceeded to the upper level exhibit hall.  As I weaved myself around some of the most beautiful and luxurious automobiles in the world, I eventually found myself at the rear of the exhibit hall.  Right in front of me was the most gratuitous sight any Bond fan would ever experience.  A huge display of James Bond vehicles.

Every man's dream car.  The Aston Martin from Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.

My eyes were filled with sweet nectar as I glanced from one famous cinematic gadget to the next.  The Aston Martin DB5, the Lotus Esprit, Blofeld's Bathosub, the Neptune sub, the wetbike and the rocket belt.  All sharing space with Bond posters and memorabilia.  Courtesy of the Ian Fleming Foundation.

Can I have this for Christmas?  Ernst Stavro Blofeld's Bathosub from Diamonds Are Forever.

Feeling like a young child, I quickly got out my video camera and started shooting the various icons around the roped area.  There was a glass case containing books, models and toys from days gone-by.  There was the Aurora James Bond model, a lunchbox, radio alarm clock, games, puzzles, puppets and books to name a few. Eventually I came to a desk and a very large man sitting behind it.  Without a doubt, any Bond fan would have recognized him even without his cobalt steel teeth.  Richard Kiel was signing autographs and posing for pictures.  You would have thought he was Santa Claus with all the young kids lined up to meet him.

Melina's Neptune sub from For Your Eyes Only.

I stood in line and withdrew two movie posters I had previously packed in my camera bag.  Original folded versions of The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.  Is it possible to get his autograph on both posters?  I pondered my question and how to ask it without acting like a failed SPECTRE agent who is about to be eliminated by Blofeld.

Can you swim?  The famous amphibious car from The Spy Who Loved Me.  Note the rocket in the rear.

I greeted Jaws, uh, I mean Mr. Kiel with a warm dry handshake.  His hand literally enveloped mine as we grasp.  I then handed him my posters and asked if he would be kind enough to sign them.  He looked puzzled at first and, glancing at the sheets, he asked "Where did you get these?" 

The Wetbike and a guard's uniform from The Spy Who Loved Me.

Feeling my cover was about to be exposed I quickly explained how I came into ownership of these theatrical frescos.  "I bought these through a film magazine."  His probing eyes looked at mine and then said, "Oh, I thought they were selling them here at the Auto Show."  He then took his felt tipped pen and signed his name to the bottom of each poster.  "Do you mined if I put today's date next to my signature?" he said.  "No, not at all."  I said.  As he finished signing his autograph I then realized that no one else was around.  I then decided to ask a question about his role as the indestructible man of steel teeth.

"No well dressed man should be without one."  The rocket belt from Thunderball.

"Of the two Bond films you were in, which one is your favorite and why?"  Richard paused a moment and then answered with his deep baritone voice.  "I would have to say my favorite is The Spy Who Love Me because it had a darker and atmospheric look about it.  Moonraker gave me more scenes, but it didn't have the threat that the first one had."

Shark Hunter sub from The Spy Who Loved Me and Licence To Kill.

It was now getting late and Mr. Kiel was preparing to meet some friends for dinner.  I quickly paid $8.00 for a T-shirt and a Polaroid with this gentle giant.  A moment any Bond fan would remember.  Standing next to one of OO7's greatest foes surrounded by cinematic icons.  All that was missing was a dry martini and Pussy Galore.  Needless to say I was both shaken and stirred.

Me (with Jaws) in OO7 heaven.