SUBMARINE LOTUS TO GO TO AUCTION

July 23, 2013 10:38 AM AWST

Bond' cars always draw attention, as evidenced by the 2.9 million pounds paid in 2010 for the Aston Martin DB5 used in Goldfinger and Thunderball, but this September, RM Auctions will feature an equally iconic but much more unusual machine - the Lotus Esprit 'submarine' from The Spy Who Loved Me.

One of six Esprit body shells used for the 1977 film, the consigned vehicle was the only one built into a fully operational, self-propelled 'submarine'. At the time, it was said to have cost over US$100,000 to create (equivalent to nearly a half million dollars today).

After filming, the vehicle went into storage, where it was discovered by accident in 1989. Subsequently, the Lotus was shown occasionally, but mostly kept closely under wraps - until now.

Consigned without reserve, the unique Lotus will go under the hammer at RM Auctions' London event this September 8 - 9.

More details at www.rmauctions.com