On June 17th Julien's will be auctioning one of two 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbos that was used in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Originally seen wearing white paint in the beginning of the movie, the car was painted a copper color for later scenes in order to contrast with the snowy backdrop of the Italian Alps.
The iconic supercar is beginning to show its age with a leather interior that's beginning to crack and a shattered Lotus emblem on the steering wheel. Still, it's got custom ski racks, which, along with the Bond connection should be more than enough to justify the opening bid of $250,000. Seems like the perfect winter beater for the obnoxiously wealthy.
Thanks Noonz for the tip!
[Source: eBay via NoonzWheels]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ren @ May 16th 2006 12:55PM
I wiped my Chevette with a tissue Brad Pitt blew his nose in. $50,000 OBO.
Howard Kerr @ May 16th 2006 12:57PM
I've admired many of the cars built by Lotus for a long time. It started with the original Europa and continued up until the Esprit turned into a sort of Frankenstein's monster of a car so it could meet ever tougher safety and smog regs. I still think the idea of a sports car with no superfluous weight and/or parts is a timeless idea. Too bad these cars looked so good but were as fragile as crepe paper.
villainy @ May 16th 2006 12:58PM
"Seems like the perfect winter beater for the obnoxiously wealthy."
What a nice way to say, "go kill yourself you rich bastards!" Drive a turbo Esprit in the snow, only if you have balls as big and metallic as Bond!
Slade @ May 16th 2006 1:50PM
Mine hasn't broken in the years I've owned it, lol. Reliable daily driver if you keep it up, try asking that of most exotic cars. Never left me walking, don't believe all stereotypes, they were mostly sorted out by the time the turbos were made.
Bought mine for 1/25th their initial bid though a four years ago, but seems like interest in the new Elise etc. drummed up prices since then, though not quite by a premium of $240k unfortunately for current owners:D
Beautiful car though. Can't wait for the new Esprit. Gotta love Lotus.
Slade
gbh @ May 16th 2006 3:15PM
Slade, you are a *very* lucky man... Glad to hear it.
bob @ May 16th 2006 6:08PM
"having double pinstripes, alloy wheels, and self-destruct system; consisting of four C4 explosive packs (strategically hidden in both sides of the car, front and back)"
self destruct system with C4? you're kidding right?
Shane @ May 16th 2006 6:29PM
The fact that it was driven by Roger Moore should knock about $50000 off the price. Does it still have the ejection seat and missile launcher?
eric @ May 25th 2006 3:49AM
I dont care who drove it, once a car has been submerged (watch movie) it's worth less. Ask anybody from New Orleans, they'll tell you, I'm right.