RE: James Bond's Lotus Esprit Up For Grabs

[stedale]

What I find particularly appealing in this car is the state-of-the-art ceiling mounted stereo:



oh and IMO FYEO is one of the stronger Moore films.

[joz8968]

The Dirty Bubble said:

It’s actually a Renault 5 Turbo 2, the mid engined Group B homologation special. It’s one of my favourite bond cars (sacrilege, I know)(and strictly speaking not a Bond car, as its driven by a baddie, but I love Group B cars)

Me too!

[BoltonTVR]

The other car used in the film is on display here:
Esprit Turbo without the turbo

[crofty1984]

PompeyM3 said:

The submarine Esprit was from "The Spy who Loved Me.

Fell in love with the Esprit as soon as I saw that film, so much so I bought one, although a newer 1988 2.2 NA.

Still can't find that submarine button.... Must of been an option !!

If you've got half leather seats, then it's probably got the submarine option, they were usually bundled together. Though a lot of people didn't want to fork out the £150 so you'll be lucky to find one.

[Chunkster]

The Dirty Bubble said:

Chunkster said:

Riggers said:

Er...yes... poor James Bond knowledge on my part - I should know better than to trust an auction catalogue description.

My Licence to kill has duly been revoked.

Wasn't Never Say Never that once with the electrocuting computer version of Risk?

Yep. Not a great bond film. Although the chase with the gordini turbo is quite cool.

It’s actually a Renault 5 Turbo 2, the mid engined Group B homologation special. It’s one of my favourite bond cars (sacrilege, I know)(and strictly speaking not a Bond car, as its driven by a baddie, but I love Group B cars)

OK, I stand corrected, tis indeed a lovely motor. Did you go to FOS? Lots of group B cars there, S1 sport, RS200, 6R4, 037, etc. Also the pikes peak special. All being run (non pedetrian like) on the rally stage/hill climb as well as on static display. I was in heaven.

[UncappedTag]

Wonder if they intend on adding another to their collection?

http://www.thebondmuseum.com/pages/12foryoureyeson...

http://www.thebondmuseum.com/pages/vehicles.htm

Edited by UncappedTag on Thursday 9th July 16:46

[BoltonTVR]

UncappedTag said:

Wonder if they intend on adding another to their collection?

http://www.thebondmuseum.com/pages/12foryoureyeson...

http://www.thebondmuseum.com/pages/vehicles.htm

Edited by UncappedTag on Thursday 9th July 16:46

They already own both of them.
http://www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=91&...

[williamp]

Did Lotus ever offer the ski rack as an option?

[GKP]

williamp said:

Did Lotus ever offer the ski rack as an option?

No, but the Esprit is quite versatile already:








Look how knackered the mounts on 007's car were at last year's FOS:

[bristolm]

thats 2 bond cars on here for sale then both in coys, check out lucky dip section,

[Miklad]

The white S1 in The Spy Who Loved Me is my favourite car of all time. Pure sex. The shape is sooo pure, and bring back the Wolfrace slot-mags!

White don't Lotus retro-style a new version like Ford and Lambo did with the new GT and Miura respectively?

I'd have one!

[lonefurrow]

I think you'll find that the colour was called 'Brandy Wine', not 'Metallic Bronze'.

I remember in 1977, my Mum telling me that the Bond Esprit was on show in my local Army and Navy shop - imagine my 7 yr old disappointment to find a white Eclat rather than PPW 306R!

Interestingly(!), the film 'License to Kill' was orignally to be called 'License Revoked', but US sample audiences didn't know what revoked means, so it was renamed...

[Pat H]

Chunkster said:

Have always had a soft spot for esprit turbos from that era, they are gorgeous imo.

Has anyone ever owned one? What are they like to live with? Running costs etc

I own a S3 Turbo Esprit HC.

You can't get in it.

You can't see out of it.

You won't fit in it.

The steering column is from an Austin Princess and sits at a daft angle.

The pedals are offset.

The clutch has a plastic hose that fails.

The steering is too heavy.

The switches are crap British Leyland rejects.

The door handles are off a Marina.

The doors don't open wide enough.

The windows don't wind all the way down and the motors are always failing.

The gearshift is crap.

It sounds like an Escort.

There is loads of turbo lag.

The wastegate sounds like a bog being flushed.

The bodywork is wrinkly.

The electrics are shonky and they smell like a canoe full of petrol.

But apart from that, they are pretty good.

The steering is lovely when you are on the move, the handling is sublime and the sense of occasion is tremendous.

For the money, a really mint Esprit is something of a bargain.

Sadly, most of them are absolutely knackered, scruffy, neglected and abused.

I sold mine in a moment of weakness, but missed it so much that I bought it back again five years later.

[glazbagun]

It went for £105k!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/815...

[Kylie]

GKP said:

williamp said:

Did Lotus ever offer the ski rack as an option?

No, but the Esprit is quite versatile already:








Look how knackered the mounts on 007's car were at last year's FOS:

Hehe Graham love these pics of your motor - you photo whooore you

Those rear rack mounts on the bond car HAS seen better days.....doubt they would take newer wider carver ski gear or my snowboard. HHmm