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One of the stunning white Lotus Esprit's that James
Bond used in The Spy Who Loved Me movie. (The Tomaso Collection)
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The vehicle pictured above may/may not still be on
display. As these pictures were taken during last Summer; August, 2016...
Notes
The Name is Esprit, Lotus Esprit! How can I-T
be forty years already; Aye Karumba! And how many times have I watched this
epic James Bond film on thy Telie' over those years?
As The Spy Who Loved Me starring Rodger Moore
debuted in the summer of 1977, as let that sink in a moment; Pun intended! As
this is probably one of my most favourite Bond films, as I even recall having
bought a Corgi Toys? Black Bell Heli', complete with shooting red/orange plastic missiles as a 'Wee lad!
And while Moore might have been the star, how
can we forget Barbara Bach; MEOW! As I still chuckle over that typical Bond
witticism about Shared Bodily Warmth...
Yet for Mwah, one of the movie's leading
stars is the eye catching white Lotus Esprit which bond uses to first escape a
rocket wielding motorcycle Sidecar, other cars and ultimately that black Bell
Jet Ranger helicopter with its female pilot.
As perhaps it's just Mwah, but the Lotus
Esprit was a stunning car with it's evocative "Wedge Shape" of the
era. As the original Esprit S1, or Series 1 was designed by noted Italian
automotive stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro.
These first generation were produced between
1976-78, replacing the previous Lotus Europa, and featured a 2.0-litre Inline
four cylinder longitutally mounted mid-ships engine mated to a 5-speed manual
transmission transaxle.
And while Lotus claims of 0-60mph in
6.2-seconds and a top speed of 138mph were a bit optimistic, especially
Stateside, due to power being downgraded to 142bph due to Federal Emissions
standards.
Nevertheless, this is probably my favourite
Lotus, thanks largely to its racy' wedge shape styling, excellent handling
characteristics - along with it's clever movie placement. As I also found the
bronze Esprit 007 uses at the Ski Chalet in the movie quite alluring... Whilst
I've no idea what colour the third Esprit destroyed by the bad guy was.
Alas, I can only surmise, that it's some
clever way 'O keeping the James Bond image on our collective radars with the
periodic sale of some of his classic rides used to get rid of the Villains over
the decades. Having first become aware of one of these Esprit's going under the
hammer some eight-plus years ago.
And like A-L-L movies, naturally multiple
cars are needed for the film's completion, although it seems typical that exact
numbers are never confirmed. Yet allegedly the second most popular 007 vehicle
after that gorgeous Aston Martin DB5, sat unknown in a storage container before
being discovered accidentally!
As the unique white Lotus Esprit was sold for
varying prices according to Zed Internetz', perhaps the difference being
auction fees? Or Greenbacks vs. Pounds? And although perhaps disappointing by
not reaching the million dollar estimate, nonetheless, it's a pretty good
return upon the $100 investment! The price paid to buy the abandoned container
on Long Island, NY.
Whilst Bond flicks' always have a flair for good
'Ol Bloody British humour, as I especially enjoy the scene where Roger Moore
drives onto the beach, and rolls down the electric window to deposit an errant Herring
to the astounded beach-goers; Momma Mia!
(Photo Courtesy of Clarity Pictures)