$1 Million In Range Rovers Stolen From James Bond Production

"Justin T. Westbrook" (justintylerwestbrook)
12/02/2014 at 08:55 • Filed to: James Bond, Range Rover, Land Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bond, 2CV, Stolen, Robbery, Albanian, Jeremy Clarkson, BeyondJamesBond, Justin Westbrook

Want a film-spec Range Rover Sport fit For James Bond? Know where to find some shady, likely Albanian guys? You just might be in luck!

Back in October, five modified Range Rover Sport models, among other vehicles and equipment including a Range Rover Evoque, were stolen from a preparation studio at an industrial park for the upcoming James Bond production, simply titled Bond 24 for the moment. News of the robbery has just been made public. Reportedly, the cars had just finished being prepared in Dusseldorf, Germany for shooting and were about to be shipped to an Austrian filming location before being stolen.

There are no details of who the robbers are, or their intentions. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which was translated from German, claims that the security of the vehicles was at risk due to European auto regulators. Details of the vehicles diagnostics and other systems have to be made available, making it easier for robbers to 'hack' the vehicles and steal them, according to the article.

More details of the vehicles have slowly been leaking, with rumors that they were intended for an off road car chase through the Austrian forest. I'm pretty sure a few of the articles are assuming that the 'modifications' being made by the production crew would be practical and classic 'Bond' gadgets in the film, but it is more likely that they were being modified for the more physical and practical needs of the production crew. Typical modifications would be for filming equipment, improved safety, fragile material for dramatic effect (like shattering body panels and glass), weight enhancement, and possibly even more off-road capability.

I'm also not convinced a gadget-laden Range Rover would actually feature on film, considering Bond's main ride will likely be the all new, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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Film productions often have multiple identical vehicles they use in the circumstance of an accident, or for damage consistency in shot sequencing. For the filming of Skyfall , the stunt team had a fleet of Audi's with various amounts of sledgehammer damage to keep consistency while filming the chase that opens the film. If you film the car rolling over !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and then realize you still need to film the actor getting into the car.. you're sort of out of luck. Keeping a few backups on hand is not uncommon, so it is likely only one or a few Range Rovers are actually planned to star in the cinematic chase.

LR/RR and sister brand Jaguar seem to have a pretty solid deal with the Bond production company, Eon Productions. They have reportedly already offered over replacement models, as the Austrian production of the film plans to begin in January. The total amount of property stolen is rumored to be around EUR 800 000, or almost $1 Million dollars. Speaking of a million bucks, they even paid current-James-Bond Daniel Craig !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to unveil the new Range Rover Sport at the New York Auto Show, and he didn't even need to talk!

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Earlier this month there were a few reports from Italy expanding on the news that there would be an exciting chase through the streets of Rome. The new reports claimed the chase would feature a Fiat 500, and some even claimed Bond would be driving it. I don't buy it, but they did stick Roger Moore in a bright yellow Citroën 2CV in 1981's For Your Eyes Only :

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Eon Productions will be hosting an official press announcement Thursday, December 4th. It is expected for all of the main cast to be announced and present, as well as a title and a brief synopsis to be released. Filming should be good to go before the year's end. The new Bond adventure will be shot in Austria, London, Morocco, Rome, and Mexico.

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If you are over in Europe and find a great deal on a few Range Rover models, I wouldn't ask too many questions. Jeremy Clarkson would likely speculate the robbers to be Albanian, if that helps. Also, the car may be completely modified to shatter on direct contact for dramatic effect , but is that really abnormal build quality from the LR/RR brand?

Justin Westbrook is a 20-year-old stressed out General Manager of a Jimmy John's sub shop in North Carolina, and spends his spare time watching James Bond movies, getting speeding tickets, thinking about going to college, and participating in " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ."

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DISCUSSION (61)

djmt1 > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 09:00

Range Rovers are being refused insurance in London because they are easy to hack. So I am inclined to believe this story is legit. What I don't understand out of the all the cars JLR makes it apparently only affects Range Rovers. Weird.

davedave1111 > djmt1
12/02/2014 at 09:14

"Range Rovers are being refused insurance in London because they are easy to hack."

I saw that story, but it was mainly insurance agents trying to drum up business for themselves. One main insurer has stopped offering cover, but others are still perfectly happy to - at a price, of course. Whatever kind of ~£100k luxury car you have, you'll pay through the nose to insure it against theft if you park it on the street in London without a tracker.

Justin T. Westbrook > davedave1111
12/02/2014 at 09:26

I did forget to mention in the article that the original source claims JLR will have increased security for the replacement models they've provided. Whether that is physical security or software security I'm not sure, but if they have a fix for the 'hacking' then I don't see why they wouldn't try to immediately implement it across the.. um.. range.

Tapas > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 12:14

"Justin Westbrook is a 20-year-old stressed out General Manager of a Jimmy John's sub shop in North Carolina... "

I bet! From the adverts, it seems that you are required to talk at Mach-2 speed all days and do all things fast at Jimmy John's! Which brings me to something I've always wanted to ask someone higher up the chain in this establishment - Why not call it JJ's and say the name even faster!

Ash78, voting early and often > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 13:55

" rumors that they were intended for an off road car chase through the Austrian forest."

You know, just send a few camera teams with the cops and you might get the exact scene you want...

ICantStandNewJalopnik > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 13:58

Maybe it's because it made the list at #10 as one of the most poseur vehicles you can by as judged by Jalopnik.

Kinja'd!!!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 13:58

This joins the ranks of the Gold Finger Aston.

Captain_Spadaro > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:02

I wouldn't be surprised if the stolen vehicles had invalid VINs. Seems like SOP for films involving current model cars is to use prototypes and examples that were never intended to be sold to the public for one reason or a another.

Then again, VIN swapping isn't uncommon either...

F50F60 > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:03

Russian's.....Albanian's only steal Benz...according to Jezza....

the7thearlofgrey > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:03

pay us one

Kinja'd!!!

million dollars in RANGE ROVERS BBWWAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

disadvantage > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:04

Kinja'd!!!

QUICK! Contact all tow truck drivers, immediately.

Toyotathong! > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:08

Unless these were Carmax Range Rovers, they should be found stranded and leaking fluids in a few days.

FauxhemianRhapshody > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:08

There's a joke about British cars, malfunctioning electrical systems, Range Rover reliability, needing 10x the $1,000,000 value to keep up with the repairs, and a mechanic's boat/kid's college fund here somewhere. Somewhere.

PartyPooper2012 > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:14

umm range rover is around 100k... sooo 10 were stolen? pretending they had steering wheels and door handles, lets call it 8.

PartyPooper2012 > F50F60
12/02/2014 at 14:17

only Russian housewives drive range rovers. Russian men can be seen today in tanks driving through Ukraine

500DaysofFiat > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:18

Do they not have Lojack in Europe?

gla2yyz > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:21

Thanks for the tip-off on the press announcement! Any word on the villain?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:33

while I don't think bond would be a good fit for a 500 but for an Abarth 695 bipisto I think they could make it work

Justin T. Westbrook > PartyPooper2012
12/02/2014 at 14:34

It was vehicles and other film and various equipment. Total property was around a mil.

Justin T. Westbrook > Tapas
12/02/2014 at 14:35

Well considering when I took my management class, the way "Jimmy John's" was thrown around by the training staff made it feel eerily like a cult. I think THEY think it's catchy, and thus marketable.

Justin T. Westbrook > gla2yyz
12/02/2014 at 14:36

Christoph Waltz has been added to the cast, and his role is described as him being seemingly on Bond's side until something happens. Typical bad guy, to me.

Justin T. Westbrook > FauxhemianRhapshody
12/02/2014 at 14:40

They could always be lying as they are too embarrassed to admit their budget allocation of $1 Million dollars was for ONE Range Rover, and it still broke. So instead say it was five and they were stolen.

Tapas > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:41

Aahh that makes sense....like the Jehovah's witnesses who believe that people actually want someone to stop by their house, unannounced, and insist on talking about Jeebus the Christ.

These ads are one of the reasons I rarely listen to the radio lol

Radio adverts make me hate the company, without even trying their product.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:47

how much did they pay Roger Moore to unveil the new Tuktuk?

Kinja'd!!!

The Devil Drives a Mustang (Rotary Pending) > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 14:53

They are probably in a van somewhere:

Kinja'd!!!

GotWake > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:01

Kinja'd!!!

I know just the right guy for the job.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:11

Why Albania? What do they have what we want.

Built BMW Tough > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:11

So, seven of them?

EDIT: Only five? Fuck, these things are getting pricey.

Hifrequency > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:16

Someone is getting a serious reprimand for security.

damnthisburnershitsux > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:17

At least they won't get far, cause you know they'll break down.

*I'll show myself out

Buckus > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:23

So that's like, what, 2 Range Rovers with extended warranties?

Justin T. Westbrook > Built BMW Tough
12/02/2014 at 15:30

Five Sports and at least one Evoque confirmed.

SwimBikeRun > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 15:41

I wonder if they will turn up at Carmax...

gla2yyz > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 16:05

On Bond's side until something happens, eh...

(I know ultimately he was a good guy, but still.)

Kinja'd!!!

bimps > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 16:06

If you film the car rolling over seven times, breaking a world record , and then realize you still need to film the actor getting into the car..

Methinks that's the wrong link?

moetop > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 16:13

No Mr. Bond... I expect you to walk..

Kinja'd!!!

F50F60 > PartyPooper2012
12/02/2014 at 16:36

WOW......That is far reaching.....You reached to far that you tore the fabric of time...Well done..

Koshapig > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 16:55

When they're returned or found, the combined worth will only be ~$250,000 and whatever it costs to fix them.

Justin T. Westbrook > bimps
12/02/2014 at 16:56

Nope. Half way through the article, which partially discusses Casino Royale, I bring up the record breaking stunt where the car rolled seven times.

Justin T. Westbrook > moetop
12/02/2014 at 16:57

This is too perfect.

Justin T. Westbrook > gla2yyz
12/02/2014 at 16:58

Indeed. Still pissed they killed Mathis off. Felt so abrupt (and not in the good, emotional way), unplanned, and sloppy. More valuable as a living character in my opinion.

Prophet of hoon > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 17:33

Kinja'd!!!

one of the best chase scenes ever.... all with one of the worst Bonds ever. I'm so confused.

Prophet of hoon > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 17:33

Draw a circle of 20 miles around all the Range Rover dealerships. All of them are within that area.

MorganArmstrong > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 18:04

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. LastThursday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go? to tech tab for work detail,,,,,,,

>>>>>>>> http://www.jobs62.com/

bimps > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 18:28

Sorry, I was just confused because you mentioned Skyfall/Audi then apparently went back to talking about Aston Martins. My bad.

M1A1D > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 19:59

I can't stand the sight of provolone to this day. Slicing enough for a $3k lunch everyday was brutal.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 20:31

Or Cypriots

Justin T. Westbrook > M1A1D
12/02/2014 at 20:41

Preach my brother or sister!

M1A1D > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 21:24

Bro. I was the #3 at a $1M store and the GM at a smaller store later.

wantsaclassyhonda89 > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 22:17

Everyone knows the Albanian mafia needs Range Rovers they can simply dispose of...along with evidence of their legal operations.ahem...

Justin T. Westbrook > M1A1D
12/02/2014 at 22:50

I cant imagine. Both of the stores under the owner are pretty small. Like 10-15K a week small. My biggest peeve right now is the other manager. We've got two guys up in Champaign right now, and when they get back I doubt this guy will have a job. I've been at it for about 9 months now, and rather than get better the issues just seem to evolve.

Prismatist > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 22:55

Don't worry. They can't have gotten far. Just follow the trail of oil.

M1A1D > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 23:07

I left in 2009, and I do not miss the stress. Imagine having your #2 not use the mayo scoop *on purpose* during a corporate eval by Bill Stief while he's on the line with her. Then being told that you can't fire her.

wantsaclassyhonda89 > SwimBikeRun
12/02/2014 at 23:10

If they do, Demuro will probably try to buy them. Especially with the warranties costing 9000 dollars now.

Justin T. Westbrook > M1A1D
12/02/2014 at 23:15

Imagine getting a job with your best friend, you both get promoted, you both go to training simultaneously, and then after 4 months of 60 hour weeks he gives up, your boss refuses to name a #1 and #2 because "it would be like comparing my children", and you're left to run the store everyday (A.M. and P.M. slicing, driver management, complaint, shift change, catering, ordering, inventory, and playing backup driver while Chris fixes his brake lines every other day) while he tries to sneak and watch Netflix in the back. To his credit, he does bread-start when he absolutely HAS to. I've almost been fired for calling the owners out about keeping a piece of shit like him around. The argument was mostly about how he got paid the same as I did for doing 5% of the work.

/rant

DavidHH > Justin T. Westbrook
12/02/2014 at 23:47

I hear Milwaukee Sawzaws in their future.

Leon711 > Justin T. Westbrook
12/03/2014 at 04:48

Pictured- Increased security.

Kinja'd!!!

Also, great article.

PartyPooper2012 > F50F60
12/03/2014 at 06:22

It works F50F60 and you don't even know it

Kinja'd!!!

gla2yyz > Justin T. Westbrook
12/03/2014 at 09:29

The whole movie reeked of tying up loose ends. I would have much preferred to see more development of the Quantum storyline in favour of going back to the Q/Moneypenny/M's office with the padded door schtick.

M1A1D > Justin T. Westbrook
12/03/2014 at 09:33

The worst I had to deal with was helping train fourteen other GMs (while running my store and theirs over the course of a year) and never being sent to corporate training because I was considered a grandfathered exception...and having been told by the area manager that had any of them stuck around long enough, that he had orders to fire me because my numbers stunk. I wonder why? Maybe because my store was walking deliveries only, in the heart of the financial district of DETROIT, during the worst of the recession??? But I got told by the owner not to blame it on the recession up until every other store in the company started tanking. I went the fuck OFF during that GM meeting to the point where everybody thought he was going to fire me on the spot.

Why is it JJ GMs tend to talk about corporate/franchise issues like war stories? LOL

Juan > Justin T. Westbrook
12/03/2014 at 10:08

I would be weary of further vehicle repossessions down in Mx...

They don't steal though, just ask you really nicely to sign the title and paperwork.