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Orlebar Brown

Glastron GT-150

In the movie Live and Let Die (1974), James Bond uses a Glastron GT150 speedboat in a thrilling chase through the Louisiana marches. The boat made a record braking 120ft jump.

The Live and Let Die GT150 used for the famous jump was built in 1972 and had an Evinrude Starflite 135hp engine.

Two small black rails were added to the hull to keep the boat level side to side on the ramp. To keep the boat balanced during the jump, the boat was modified to have the steering wheel in the center (instead of the right). The jump was performed over 100 times to get everything right before the actual take. Glastron built and sold 26 boats to the film company for the film.

After Bond has to leave the GT-150 behind, he continues the chase in a white/gold Glastron CV-19 Jet Speedboat.

Other facts reported from the Ian Fleming Foundation, owners of the actual jump boat GT-150:

  • 26 Glastron boats were used in filming of James Bond’s “Live and Let Die” and came direct from Glastron in Austin, Texas. Around 9 of the boats were GT-150s.
  • To speculate a bit, the 9 GT-150s were not necessarily new, perfect 1972 versions. Some may have been 1971 GT-150s or, less than perfect, 1972 models. Only two were required to be new and ready for the film sequences.
  • The only existing verification that a Glastron is from the movie is with a bill of sale from the production company. All Glastron records from the period were destroyed.
  • Only two GT-150s were fitted with center steering, a center seat and wood hull skids for filming. But only one GT-150 ended up being used for the filming. The other modified version was a back-up and did not appear in the film. The balance of the remaining GTs were test jumpers.
  • One of the two GTs with center steering was converted back to the stock, right hand steering and then sold. The other one (actually seen in the film) was damaged and sold “as-is” with center steering and single seat intact.
  • Many of the practice jump GTs were damaged, sunk, etc. (The practice jumps did not go well.)
  • The jump scene was almost cancelled because of failures and boat wrecking during the practice jumps. Tulane University was asked to help calculate speed, balance, etc.
  • Filmed jump scene, based on Tulane University recommendations, was made on October 16th, 1972. Their mathematics were perfect.
  • The first GT jump captured on film was successful, was the only jump filmed and was the one used in the movie.
  • Some GT-150s survived and were sold as “used” boats by the production company. All others were returned to Glastron in Austin or to area Glastron dealers. No serial numbers for sold GT-150 boats are known to exist save for the number of the record setting boat.
  • The record jump GT-150 has been accounted for, the others are unknown. The record boat is often seen on tours world-wide. The damage was repaired – it was a relatively minor long Fiberglas stress crack in front of the windshield. A repair was not made until 1996 by the current owner.
  • The boat making second jump (the boat following the GT-150) did not break or tie the record 110’ set by the GT-150.
  • Of the 26 boats used, 17 were damaged (many were GT-150s).
  • Three of the Glastron CV-19s were damaged in one day while filming the lawn skidding wedding scene (kept hitting trees). Estimated there were 6 CV-19s used in the filming. None of the CV-19s have been located or verified.
  • At least two of the “Billy Bob” boats existed and were used. Whereabouts are also unknown.
  • Film crew got first chance at buying used boats after filming. After that, boats were sold to anyone. Several GTs went back to Austin (perhaps too damaged?) or to local dealers.
  • Many Glastron GT-150s were sold after the film was released as the boats became even more popular. However, most, if not all of those GT-150s sold after the movie came out, were 1973 versions. The new Glastron 1973 model year began shortly after filming in October, 1972 and well before release of the movie in June of 1973.
  • The filmed record jump GT-150 boat was built August 24, 1972 and sold after filming on October 16, 1972.
  • The newest DVD enhanced version of Live and Let Die has scenes from practice jumping and other out-takes from movie. (Worth seeing.)
  • All Live and Let Die boats were sold with documentation from the production company of history, etc. (Buy the boat and documentation – not the story, if you’re looking at a “movie set” boat.)
  • Some (very few) James Bond Live and Let Die boats have serial numbers known and can be verified. None of the GT-150 serial numbers are known except for the original record setting jump boat.
  • The record setting GT-150 was last sold in 1996. It was found and purchased in New York. It can be seen on tour at special events or at www.ianflemingfoundation.org .
  • Several Glastron GT150 inpsired boats are featured on the poster for the film. The boats on the poster art are not exactly the same as the GT150 but have the same color design and similar shape.
  • A Glastron GT150 was also used in the film Outlaw Blues (1977).
Product Code: 
au036

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Comments

I actually kept the twin to this Glastron boat (one serial number different) in my enclosed Florida garage for many years until I recently sold the house to my daughter. I originally bought it out of the boatyard where the production company kept the movie boats in Port St. Lucie, FL. I had my choice of all the boats used. I got this particular GT-150 because it had very insignificant damage to the hull. Some of the other boats were rather severely damaged. I have many photos of the GT-150 available. The story of how this particular boat got to Florida for a Bond shoot (not "Live and Let Die") is a very interesting story that you probably know more about than I do, or should know. All was verified by Glastron as they had to issue me a new title. I even spoke directly to Bob Hammond, Glastron's founder, about this very boat and the interesting story about his association with the Bond films. Don Ladanyi
I recently bough a red 73 gt 150 ,,I would love to speak with you get and get more info !! mjh8768@aol.com or cell # 252 421 0216 please and THANK YOU !!
I'm curious to know where the actual jump took place. Some say Phoenix Louisiana [about 10 miles from where I live] but don't see any return waterways where the boat could have landed on Harlem Ln. Another location is Highway 11 near Phoenix,but Highway 11 does not run through or even near Phoenix as it's on the Northshore, I guess after 40 years,people forget
When I was 13, my father bought me my first boat, a GT150, a 1980 model with a 90 Evinrude (the max factory outboard rating). That was the last year Glastron produced the GT150. It was a little rocket and a blast to drive, but one thing I never liked and felt was a design flaw: the hull. In a medium or sharper turn while on plane at a trim setting other than completely bow down, it would get air underneath and roll/bank sharply up like an airplane as if it was going to roll over. When watching this movie note how that GT150 is bow down with negative motor trim. It looks stable in the movie doing all those turns! The other Glastron "speed" boat hot rods shown (CV-19s) in the movie were actually Glastron-Carlsons, Glastron's performance line of boats with their own badging. I had one of those at 16, a 1984 model CVX-17. Much better hull design and to this day one of my favorite all time boats ever owned.
Hi don rely enjoyed your article re glastron gt150 i'm a huge fan of the film live and let die and also own my own gt 'which at present is undergoing a total overhaul and she is and will be finshed identical to the one in the film. I would love to hear more about your expierences when the film was being made and any photo's re gt150 and very interested especialy in the interior of the gt jump boat thank you regards .. jon
Here are many images of my GT-150 from the "Live and Let Die" movie that I previously referenced in the story above. Perhaps someone can add why the boats ended up for sale while stored at a boatyard in Stuart, Florida. I actually witnessed the filming on the St. Lucie River nearby; however, I believe the filming was either for "the Spy Who Loved Me" or "Moonraker" as I watched the actor Richard Kiel (the Jaws Guy) being filmed in the same boats from the "Live and Let Die" production. NOTE: This GT-150's serial number is only ONE digit away from the actual jump boat's! http://donladanyi.blogspot.com/
Like Paul Davison on this thread, I struggled to find a good reference to the actual boat jump location. Eventually I found an incredible site that has all the Louisiana Live and Let Die locations mapped. Try the link at the end of my comment, go to the Destinations, New Orleans section (or just locate the map on the site) and zoom in on the New Orleans area. The boat jump location on this map looks a bit small for such a high speed jump, but maybe it was more feasible in 72. Check it out and let me know if you think this is the actual site. When you look at the rest of this "chasing bond" web-site, the film location research looks VERY thorough, so I tend to believe it. He also maps out the other interesting boat related locations, such as the wedding scene and the pool scene. www.onthetracksof007.com
We had a camp on the Harlem back levee. All the older folks said it was filmed there.
I have a 1978 GT150 that I am trying to sell. Comes with a Johnson 85 HP motor. Both in very good shape. It is located in northern Michigan. If you are interested let me know and I can get you some pictures. I am asking $2,900.
I stumbled across this thread when searching for Live and Let Die stuff. My Dad was present during the speedboat chase and was on some of the boats. He was Production Manager for a commercial being shot there, using the boat chase and police car crash sequences. Some of his footage was used in the film. I have a large number of colour slides of behind the scenes, including lots of boat stuff. These have been in the family drawers since 1972. I occasionally talk to him about it - he has some interesting recollections. I'd post a picture if I knew how to. Do a web search for the Ogilvy Milk ad from the film - that's what he shot.
I stumbled across this thread when searching for Live and Let Die stuff. My Dad was present during the speedboat chase and was on some of the boats. He was Production Manager for a commercial being shot there, using the boat chase and police car crash sequences. Some of his footage was used in the film. I have a large number of colour slides of behind the scenes, including lots of boat stuff. These have been in the family drawers since 1972. I occasionally talk to him about it - he has some interesting recollections. I'd post a picture if I knew how to. Do a web search for the Ogilvy Milk ad from the film - that's what he shot.
Tom...are you still trying to sell your GT150? If so, please send me pics and info. Thanks, Tom Gross
Does anybody know the topspeed of the boat. I am analysing the movie scene and I need to know James Bond's Speed.
The boat jumped over Harlem Lane just off LA 39 in Phoenix, check it out on Google maps, still looks the same.
Is there a chance that a couple CV-19s were used and painted like a GT-150? I have a CV-19 that is a mess 1973 CV-19ss. The bottom hull and top hull are both blue metal flake under the white and orange
You are right about the rolling over. It would scare the shiz out of you if you had never done it before. If there was an opposing wind...it was even worse

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