THIS IS THE 007 Lotus Esprit ‘Submarine Car’, most famous for its role in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
The contraption will go under the hammer in London tomorrow with RM Auctions estimating a €1 million price tag.
The vehicle, which is supposedly the “one and only fully-functional submarine car” in the world, has never before been offered for sale.
It also has an interesting back story (apart from the trips to the sea during filming).
After the film was released the now nicknamed Wet Nellie did the rounds at various autoshows, before being put into a storage unit in Holbrook, New York. The lease was paid in advance for 10 years but in 1989, the rent-delinquent unit was put up for “blind” sale at a public auction.
A couple living in the area put in a modest bid and bought the space. When they visited for the first time, they discovered the iconic car under some blankets. Other than some damage to the roof, it was in tact.
They towed it home – creating much excitement among fellow road users – restored it and exhibited it occasionally. Now that they’ve decided to sell, do you want a closer look?
And from behind?
Here it is doing what it does best:
(YouTube: movieclips)
Images: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Download the RM Auctions catalogue here.
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