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“Pay attention, 007, RM Auctions is about to
sell one of my most ingenious creations and we wouldn’t want it to fall
into enemy hands”. Well, Q might be a little concerned that his
incredible Lotus Esprit Series 1 ‘Submarine’ Car is due to be sold
at auction, but for millions of movie fans out there, the appearance of
this iconic Bond car on the open market represents a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
No Bond car has ever done anything as outrageous as transform itself into
a submarine. Used to incredible effect in the film The Spy Who Loved Me,
starring Roger Moore, the white Lotus commonly tops the polls when
generations of movie fans are asked to vote on their favourite film cars
of all time. Like all the best Bond cars, the Lotus was a veritable war
chest of weaponry and gadgetry, all designed to fox and foil the enemy,
whilst also helping Bond to another hard-won victory for Queen and
country.
The vehicle to be offered by RM Auctions at its forthcoming London sale,
8-9 September, in Battersea Park, is the one and only fully functioning
car especially designed and built for the famous underwater sequence seen
on screen in the 1977 film. Abundantly authenticated, and known as ‘Wet
Nellie’ on the set, it was developed from one of six Esprit body shells
used in the making of the film. As the only car to be built into a fully
operational, self-propelled ‘submarine’, by Perry Oceanographic, based in
Riviera Beach, Florida, it is the vehicle which claimed the most screen
time in the film. The driver of the car was Don Griffin, a retired U.S.
Navy SEAL and test pilot for Perry, who operated the vehicle utilizing its
motorized propellers while manoeuvring with levered steering mechanisms.
At the time, the car was said to have cost over $100,000 to create
(equivalent to nearly a half million dollars today). |
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Subsequent to filming the underwater scenes in the Bahamas, the vehicle
was shipped to Long Island, NY, where it was kept in an unassuming storage
unit on a ten year rental, paid in advance. Fate later intervened when, in
1989, the then rent delinquent unit was put up ‘blind’ for public auction.
A modest winning bid from an area couple brought surprise and wonder when
the blankets were removed to reveal the iconic 007 ‘Submarine’ Car. After
positive authentication, the Lotus was shown occasionally – including a
stint at the Petersen Automotive Museum – but mostly kept closely under
wraps, until now.
Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions, Europe, says: “We have a
great track record in selling incredible and iconic movie cars, and this
particular Lotus is certainly up there amongst the most famous cars of all
time. Over the years, millions of moviegoers have stared in awe as the
Lotus transformed itself into a submarine, and now, perhaps one of them
will have an opportunity to own it. Her Majesty’s Secret Service aside, it
surely is the ultimate beach accessory”!
RM Auctions sold “the most famous car in the world”, the Aston Martin DB5
used by Sean Connery in the enormously popular Goldfinger and
Thunderball movies, for an incredible £2.9 million during its 2010
London sale.
007 MAGAZINE NEWS ITEM
For further information on RM Auctions’ forthcoming London sale, or to
view a frequently updated list of entries, visit
rmauctions.com or
contact RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 |
