The ex Bond Lotus-sub. Preserve or drive?

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The fever about James Bond´s film cars continues in the auction scene, and this time with one of the most special vehicles created for the spy saga (with permission of the iconic Aston Martin DB5) used in the 1977 film "The Spy Who Loved Me". Said to be the first submarine car ever, the white Lotus Espirit known as "Wet Nellie" will be offered by RM Auctions in the next Central London sale provided for the next 8-9 September. The car was developed from one of six Esprit body shells used in the making of the film as a fully operational, self-propelled ‘submarine’ by Perry Oceanographic, based in Riviera Beach, Florida. The driver of the car was Don Griffin, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and test pilot for Perry, who operated the vehicle utilizing its motorized propellers while manoeuvring with levered steering mechanisms. At the time, the car was said to have cost over $100,000 to create. After the film the Espirit disappeared until 1989 when was found casually inside a storage unit. Since then the submarine car was shown occasionally in the Petersen Automotive Museum, but has been difficult to see  in public appearances until now. The next and fortunate owner now have to take a decision: to keep the car “dry” in his garage or to be brave enough to emulate Roger Moore, something much more cool but also dangerous!

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