Thursday 9th July 2009

James Bond's Lotus Esprit Up For Grabs

First-ever Esprit Turbo to be auctioned by Coys; previous owners '007' and Colin Chapman

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For Coys eyes only...

A rare double-whammy of Lotus history is being sold at the Coys Blenheim Palace auction on Saturday 18^th July, as the Lotus Esprit turbo used by Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only goes up for sale.

Why the double-whammy? Because OPW678W is not only 007’s ride from the 1981 film, it was also used by Lotus founder Colin Chapman as his daily driver before its starring role.

The car – which also happens to be the first Esprit Turbo that Lotus produced – was originally white, but the film’s producers discovered that the car didn’t stand out against snowy backdrops (surprise, surprise), so the Esprit Turbo was sent back to Lotus to be repainted in its current metallic bronze colour.

The car might not be as trick as the submarine Esprit that the catalogue says is from Never Say Never Again (though as many PHers have pointed out it is actually from The Spy Who Loved Me), but those bespoke ski racks – which are included in the sale – are pretty cool.

If you fancy owning a piece of Lotus and film history, now might be a good time as the Coys guide price is £90,000-£110,000 – a fair sight less that the £135k opening gambit the last time the car went on sale back in 2006.

A Mid-engined, turbocharged car. On snow

[Klassiekerrally]

A lot of money, but probably worth it because of it's history...

[The Dirty Bubble]

If my memory serves me correctly, a trusty henchman put the butt of his machine gun through the window of this Lotus, thus triggering the vehicles self destruct mode and blowing the car up.

As we all know, everything that happens on TV is real, therefore this car must be a fake. I expect it to be sold to me for 78p for pointing out this heinous fraud.

I wonder if the yellow 2CV Mr Bond was forced to make his escape in is worth anywhere near as much?

[PompeyM3]

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 !!

[J-Skid]

Wasn't the submarine Esprit in "The Spy Who Loved Me?"

[gizard]

The Submarine Esprit was in 'The Spy who loved me' not 'Never Say Never' - Never say never was not a 'proper' bond film either.

[Martin_Hx]

It does look very cool, despite being in that film

[stedale]

The Dirty Bubble said:

If my memory serves me correctly, a trusty henchman put the butt of his machine gun through the window of this Lotus, thus triggering the vehicles self destruct mode and blowing the car up.

As we all know, everything that happens on TV is real, therefore this car must be a fake. I expect it to be sold to me for 78p for pointing out this heinous fraud.

I wonder if the yellow 2CV Mr Bond was forced to make his escape in is worth anywhere near as much?

No, no this was the replacement after the first one was blown up. I want it.

[RichardR]

I had my photo taken in that very car at my school fete when I was about 14!

[stedale]

Is it me or does it look somewhat 'slammed' in the movie still?

[joz8968]

The Dirty Bubble said:

...I wonder if the yellow 2CV Mr Bond was forced to make his escape in is worth anywhere near as much?

Well... if it comes complete with a 'suspended animation' Ms Carole Bouquet then, yes, I expect so...



Phwooar! lol (What a fine looking woman she was... )

Edited by joz8968 on Thursday 9th July 14:08

[Lushman]

The esprit as a submarine was in the spy who loved me and not never say never again

[Chunkster]

Have always had a soft spot for esprit turbos from that era, they are gorgeous imo.
There are a couple going for £8.5-9k
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/828116.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1037086.htm
Has anyone ever owned one? What are they like to live with? Running costs etc

[Riggers]

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 one with the electrocuting computer version of Risk?

Edited by Riggers on Thursday 9th July 14:53

[Art_Vandelay]

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?

Never say Never Again had Sean Connery back and some fat guy wearing a Union Jack/Flag T-shirt as Q. Not part of Bond canon either.

[williamp]

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. And the woman in the Renault 5, Bond on a Motorbike and the baddies in a camaro. Oh, and an old Cortina appeared too.

[Chunkster]

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.

[Riggers]

In a truly Stalinist revision of history, the article has now been tweaked a little...

[The Dirty Bubble]

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)

[stuttgartsfinest]

I saw this Esprit at a gathering of Bond cars late last year. Very tatty at that time plus there is a really naff sticker on the door stating the bleeding obvious - "For Your Eyes Only". The cortina in the chase was actually a Taunus.

[oops]

I saw this at Goodwood (last year?). It looked very beaten up, the skis on the back were the finest the early 80s had to offer (not quite hickory, but close) and it even had a flat tire ("Not so fast, Mr. Bond" indeed). Very disillusioning. I don't think I'll be bidding

Edited by oops on Thursday 9th July 16:14