This is the 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 ‘Wet Nellie’ (6), a fully functional submarine car that was re-imagined by Perry Oceanographics (with assistance from Special Visual Effects Supervisor Derek Meddings and Production Designer Ken Adam) in order to become a fully-functional submersible for the 10th film in the James Bond film franchise, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. The 007 submarine can travel forward underwater via a bank of four propellers, and the interior has been completely revamped in order to house a wide variety of control apparatuses. In the 1977 James Bond film, this car was seen driven by British MI6 agent 007 James Bond, who was played by English actor Roger Moore, who in the movie, was on the quest to investigate the theft of two submarines. In reality, the car’s main pilot and technician was actually retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Don Griffin. The 007 Esprit Submarine was equipped in the movie with missile launchers, a smoke screen exhaust, as well as a roof-mounted prismatic mirror that was sourced from the roof of a tank. After the film, the car went on a promotional tour and was then subsequently stored away in New York for around 10 years. When the rent expired in the year 1989, the storage unit and its contents (including the famous 007 Submarine Lotus) were auction off during a public auction. Subsequently, the car was then restored, and occasionally exhibited from from 1989 to 2013, including once being on display at the well-known @petersenmuseum. The car was finally auctioned off by @rmsothebys in 2013 in London. Interestingly, the unique submarine car then wound up in the hands of none other than billionaire entrepreneur and inventor Elon Musk. What do you think of this unique piece of both automotive and movie history?
How many made? Lotus had delivered two production cars, as well as seven body shells for the film (6 were used for the film), however, only ‘Wet Nellie’ was a fully-functional submarine.
Engine: four electric motors that allow only for forward motion underwater.
Debut: The 1977 James Bond film, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’.
Top Speed: 0mph on land, 5-10mph underwater.
0-60: n/a
Photo credit: @rmsothebys
Research: @rarecarsonly