A HAMPSHIRE tourist attraction is preparing for one of the most important years in its history – with a little help from James Bond.

The 40th anniversary of the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the day its founder, Lord Montagu, opened his ancestral home to the public.

Classic cars were displayed in the hall of Palace House as a tribute to Lord Montagu’s father, who was one of Britain’s motoring pioneers.

The peer’s collection of vintage and veteran vehicles continued to grow, resulting in the opening of the museum in 1972.

Celebrations Next year’s celebrations will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, Dr No, which starred Sean Connery as the international superspy.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the museum will mark the occasion by staging the largest collection of Bond vehicles ever seen.

Lord Montagu’s son and heir, the Hon Ralph Montagu, looked ahead to the three anniversaries during his speech at the annual Beaulieu Estate dinner.

“We will also be celebrating the Queen’s diamond jubilee and organising one of the 2,012 beacons that will be lit around the country on June 4,” he said.

“It would have been fun if the b o n f i r e could have been ignited by the O l y m p i c torch, but the closest it will come to us is Brockenhurst on July 14, which is just a little too late.”

Mr Montagu confirmed that Palace House would display a selection of Beaulieu Camera Club photographs showing a year in the life of the estate.

“But the most significant exhibition in 2012 will be Bond in Motion, celebrating 50 years of James Bond films,” he said.

“Already confirmed for the exhibition are the Aston Martin DB5 from Quantum of Solace, the Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day and the Rolls Royce Phantom III from Goldfinger.”