JAMES Bond’s classic Lotus Esprit from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ could be yours for just £20k – but there’s a catch.
The famous motor will forever be remembered as the amphibious car Roger Moore used in the hit classic when it transformed into a submarine during a daring car chase.
BNPSThe 1982 Lotus Esprit was James Bond’s classic car in hit movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’[/caption]
BNPSA stunning Lotus Esprit has emerged for sale[/caption]
The 1982 Esprit v3 is one of just 1,053 to ever be produced by the famous British manufacturer and only a handful are known to survive today.
Since that Bond film premiered in 1977 the Lotus Esprit has become permanently associated with the British hero.
And a lucky punter could get their hands on the famous motor, although it will only be a replica.
After watching the famous movie, one farmer was immediately inspired to purchase a Lotus Esprit in exactly the same make and model.
He fell ill a few years ago and was forced to retire the beautiful motor to the barn on his farm.
For the last few years the iconic car, which has a 2.2 litre engine, has been gathering dust and dirt.
But now he has entered a care home, his family has decided to sell the Lotus at Charterhouse Auctions in Sherbourne, Dorset.
Despite the grime it has accumulated it is tipped to command a sale price of around £20,000 when it goes under the hammer.
Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: “Arguably the most famous Lotus Esprit was the one used by Roger Moore as James Bond in The Spy Who Loved me which morphed into a submarine and this was the car which inspired the owner to buy his white Lotus Esprit 3.
“Today it looks slightly sad covered in a film of dust and dirt in the barn but that is only superficial.
“I am sure the lucky new owner will have this Lotus back on the road in no time.
“We expect to have a lot of interest in this sale.”
In the film the plans for the submarine car had been stolen from a KGB agent before being used by the Q-department for 007’s use.
The original submarine Lotus used in The Spy Who Loved Me was bought by Elon Musk for over £500,000.
He planned to fully transform the car to actually enable it for use on land and in the sea.
The iconic car will be on sale March 9.
It comes as a rare classic Ford that has had only one owner in the past 52 years could be yours for £60k.
Meanwhile, an incredible collection of Le Man’s race cars are on sale after being put up on auction.
AF ArchiveActor Roger Moore drove the famous motor while playing James Bond[/caption] Read More