after he buys storage container contents blind for just $100

[Serpo]

You weren't expecting this Mr Bond! Man finds 007's submarine car from The Spy Who Loved Me worth $1m after he buys storage container contents blind for just $100

Submarine car abandoned in storage bought for just $100 in blind auction
Now owner is selling car at auction where it is expected to fetch $1million
Lotus Esprit featured in 1977 Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me


By Rosie Taylor (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Rosie+Taylor)
PUBLISHED: 09:04 GMT, 25 July 2013 | UPDATED: 15:53 GMT, 25 July 2013

When a small (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2377496/Man-bought-James-Bonds-submarine-car-The-Spy-Who-Loved-Me-blind-auction-100-sell-1m.html#) business owner bought a storage container in a blind auction for $100 he hoped he might be able to double or even triple his money by selling its contents.
But inside he discovered one the world's most legendary film cars - and is now set to make at least 10,000 times what he paid for the container.
James Bond's Lotus Esprit submarine car, which featured in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, is going up for auction in London where it is expected to reach $1million.
Its owner, who has chosen to stay anonymous, found the car after buying the storage container in Long Island in 1989.

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http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3BC6000005DC-763_634x414.jpg Underwater: The car, nicknamed 'Wet Nellie' during filming, worked as a self-propelled submarine



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-076F96A7000005DC-557_634x407.jpg Movie star: The car was one of several Lotus Esprit's modified for use in The Spy Who Loved Me



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3E48000005DC-698_634x414.jpg Auction: Although the car has been exhibited before it is now up for sale for the first time where it is expected to reach $1million

It is believed the Lotus was left in storage by the production company which paid for the container for 10 years. But when the payment ran out and nobody came to collect it, it was put up for sale.
The man who bought it earns a 'very modest' living through his business which rents out construction tools.
He did not recognise the car, which is not roadworthy, for what it was as he had reportedly never seen a Bond film at the time.

When he pulled the covers off the car and found it had no wheels and a dented roof, he was less than thrilled with his buy.



But as he drove the car home on the back of a truck, other drivers who recognised the vehicle radioed him to tell him what it was, CNBC reported (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/how-james-bonds-submarine-car-was-discovered-long-island-6C10732355).
Back home he rented The Spy Who Loved Me on video, and realised how valuable his find was.
The Lotus was nicknamed 'Wet Nellie' during filming and was built by a former Navy SEAL at a cost of around $100,000 - the equivalent to $500,000 today.

Although Roger Moore starred as Bond in the film, the submarine car was driven by retired Navy SEAL Don Griffin during underwater filming.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-00188E1100000258-807_634x485.jpg Film: The Spy Who Loved Me starred Roger Moore as James Bond



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3BD6000005DC-308_634x402.jpg Shells: The production company used several different versions of the Lotus Esprit to film the chase scenes



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-02D0D8020000044D-559_634x510.jpg Escape: Roger Moore and Barbara Bach flee the helicopter by driving off a pier into the sea in the submarine car



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3E24000005DC-970_634x406.jpg Specifications: James Bond's car was designed to convert into a submarine when underwater

There were actually several different Lotus Esprits used to film the sequence where Roger Moore and Barbara Bach escape the enemy by driving off a pier into the sea.

The car up for sale is the only one that worked as a self-propelled submarine.

Since its discovery the car has been exhibited from time to time but largely kept with its private owner.

Now it will go under the hammer at RM Auctions in London on September 9, after James Bond expert Doug Redenius tracked down its owner and confirmed the Lotus's authencity.
He told CNBC that he had told the owner to expect his fortunes to change 'dramatically'.
Underwater scene from The Spy Who Loved Me
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/video-undefined-1AFDBBDA000005DC-120_290x163.jpg





http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3A41000005DC-190_634x424.jpg Discovery: A small business owner (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2377496/Man-bought-James-Bonds-submarine-car-The-Spy-Who-Loved-Me-blind-auction-100-sell-1m.html#) found the valuable car after he bought a storage container in a blind auction for $100



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/25/article-2377496-1AFC3EDC000005DC-223_634x262.jpg Rare find: The car is expected to reach $1million at auction in London next month

He said: 'I said "Come September 9th, be prepared for your life and your wife and your children—your life is going to change dramatically." And he said "well, how so" and I said "First of all, you're going to go down in history as the guy who found the James Bond car. But then if it sells for what we're hoping, that money will give you an opportunity to live very comfortably for the rest of your life."'
Max Girardo, managing director of RM Auctions Europe, said: 'Over the years, millions of moviegoers have stared in awe as the Lotus transformed itself into a submarine, and now, perhaps one of them will have an opportunity to own it.'
The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball was sold by RM Auctions for $4.4million in 2010.
More: How James Bond's submarine car was discovered in Long Island (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/how-james-bonds-submarine-car-was-discovered-long-island-6C10732355)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2377496/Man-bought-James-Bonds-submarine-car-The-Spy-Who-Loved-Me-blind-auction-100-sell-1m.html#ixzz2a5UAbwaM

[govcheetos]

Maybe it was Agnut.

[Twisted Titan]

its funny I just had to rent a Uhaul so I could move a bed out of storage.

It also had a storage facilty at the same locale

When I came in I was asked: was a buying a bin?

I didnt know what he ment so I asked him to clarify.

He said today was the day that they sell bins for rent that is not paid.

I told him no but out of curiosity I asked him how much for a bin.

10 bucks.

for real?

I was like what the catch.

No catch but you do have to have the bin cleared in 3 days tops.


I make more money charging rent not hoping to sell off whats in it.

For those of us back in the day from GIM I remember when Mountain Man use to buy them all the time and make a killing for stuff he would sell in his shop.


If I had the time and space it is something I would definately consider.

[Serpo]

10 bucks..............

[Twisted Titan]

Thats what had me thinking it was some sort of catch.

I wont lie ... the area wasnt the nicest by any strecth.

You wont find upper crust anywhere near there.

Just low income wannabes that would by a 60 inch projection TV but be living in a 2 bedroom apt and when the landlord finally evicts them they scrape together enough to get a storage bin

[Son-of-Liberty]

For 10 bucks I am sure you could make some money.

[Ponce]

You are right.......Agnut just became a millionair.

By the way..........where is Dogman? is he on vacation?

V

[Son-of-Liberty]

I wonder what it cost around here to buy a container. Going to have to look into it. Know some guys that were doing it but I think they would allow people to look through the open door and then auction it to the highest bidder.