IT was no big deal finding a car for seven-foot American actor Richard Kiel when he arrived in the UK for a personal appearance tour, thanks to Chrysler UK. The car brand simply loaned him a Grand Voyager people carrier – the world’s best-selling MPV.

Film veteran Richard, best known as the steel-toothed assassin Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, is in the UK for an autograph-signing tour, including the Memorabilia exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham. He will also visit the Bond in Motion display at Beaulieu Motor Museum, Hampshire.

But, at seven feet one and a half inches exactly, Richard is limited in the choice of vehicle he can use comfortably. So the former car salesman’s first choice of travel while in the UK was a Chrysler Grand Voyager – of which more than 13 million have been sold worldwide.

As well as offering plenty of legroom, five of the Grand Voyager’s seven seats can fold away beneath the floor leaving a vast 3,296 litres of space for luggage. And even with the second row of seats up, the car still offers 2,054 litres capacity.

“While we were organising the trip, one of the main considerations was choice of car as there are so few that I can get into,” says Richard. “We have owned Chryslers and Jeeps in the past so I knew the Grand Voyager would be an excellent choice. It is roomy enough for me to sit in the front, and there is plenty of space in the rear as I am travelling with quite a lot of luggage.”

“Richard is a larger than life character who everyone seems to have heard of, especially through his amazing role in the James Bond movies,” says Damien Dally, head of Jeep Chrysler UK. “We are delighted that the Grand Voyager – known for its size and comfort – has been useful for him while in the UK.”

Available in SE, SR and Limited specifications the 2.8-litre diesel-powered Grand Voyager has a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds, rising to a top speed of 115mph.

Prices for the Chrysler Grand Voyager start at £28,265 OTR for the SE, rising through £30,265 OTR for the SR, up to £36,265 for the Limited.

 

* You can watch Richard in his most famopus role, as Jaws, in the video below: