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Found in Stow · Long Island → London
Wet Nellie: Bond’s Lotus submarine, found under blankets for $100
The white Lotus Esprit “Wet Nellie” from The Spy Who Loved Me was found in a Long Island storage container bought for $100 in 1989 and later sold at RM Auctions London for £550,000 (£616,000 with fees). Summarised from The Guardian.
As of the 11 Sep 2013 auction report. One of the Lotus Esprits used in the 1977 Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me — nicknamed Wet Nellie — surfaced from a US storage container that a Long Island contractor had bought for $100 in 1989, then sold in London for £550,000 (about £616,000 with fees).
The Guardian’s film desk reported that the submersible white Esprit was one of eight vehicles used in the film. It works in submarine mode but cannot be driven on land. After filming it was stored; in 1989 a contractor buying a New York storage container found it under blankets and did not at first know what he had. The Ian Fleming Foundation later confirmed it was the screen car.
At RM Auctions in London two collectors pushed the hammer to £550,000. The piece notes that Bond cars can go higher still — a 1964 DB5 used in Goldfinger and Thunderball had sold for $4.6m in 2010.
For Stowkind: vehicle and “odd shape” storage is exactly where barns, lock-ups and careful Keepers earn their keep — especially in Surrey outbuildings.
Hob’s note
Not every treasure announces itself. If you store a vehicle or prop, write down what it is, who confirmed it, and where the keys live. Future-you (or a Keeper) will thank you.
Sources (read the originals)
We summarise in our own words. No press photos or copied text.
The Guardian — Bond’s Lotus Esprit submarine car sells for £550,000 (11 Sep 2013)