by The RM Sotheby’s auction in Monaco will feature a prop from a James Bond film – the submarine version of the Lotus Esprit S1 from the movie “The Spy Who Loved Me”. The lot is estimated at €200,000–300,000. This is reported by RM Sotheby’s.
Submarine Lotus Esprit: Features and Origin
The exhibited item is a film mockup without an engine or running gear. The body is equipped with characteristic elements of the “submarine” version:
- steering planes and stabilizing fins
- periscope
- four propeller thrusters
- reinforced windows
- mock torpedo launcher.
Dimensions are 4.6 m in length, 1.8 m in width, and 1.2 m in height (1.6 m including the stand). Weight is approximately 400 kg.
James Bond’s Lotus Esprit: History of the Exhibit
It is believed that this body was used during the filming of the 1977 movie. For the film, two fully functional cars and seven bodies were built, some of which were used in various scenes.
This specific item has had several owners: it was purchased at an auction in 1998 and later passed to a Finnish collector in 2007. For almost 20 years, the car was exhibited at the PowerPark in Finland.
In 2025, the mockup was partially restored, including a paint refresh. It is currently presented on a mobile platform for exhibition display.
The auction is scheduled for April 25, 2026, in Monaco. The lot is sold with no reserve price and is intended primarily for export or professional buyers due to tax restrictions.
