Sometimes, real life is stranger than fiction.
In an unexpected twist straight out of a movie, a regular couple stumbled upon a hidden treasure in a storage unit they purchased at a local auction. What they found inside has a legendary connection to both Hollywood glamour and a Elon Musk.
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has purchased the famous Lotus Esprit from the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” aiming to make its fictional transformation into a submarine a reality.
The car fetched £616,000 ($997,000) at a London auction in September, though the buyer’s identity was initially undisclosed. Last night, the automotive blog Jalopnik revealed Musk as the buyer, later confirmed by Tesla Motors’ PR team.
Musk shared his childhood fascination with the car in a statement: “Watching James Bond drive his Lotus Esprit off a pier and turn it into a submarine was amazing. I was disappointed to find out it couldn’t actually do that. I plan to upgrade it with a Tesla electric powertrain and try to make the transformation real.”
While Musk’s comment may seem light-hearted, his track record of tackling challenging technology projects—from founding PayPal and SpaceX to proposing the Hyperloop, a high-speed transport system, earlier this year—underscores his serious intent.
The car, which had been missing since its 1977 cinematic debut, was found in 1989 in a Long Island storage unit purchased for $100. The Lotus was hidden under blankets, without wheels and damaged, awaiting rediscovery.
The Discovery of a Gem
In 1989, an unassuming couple from Long Island, New York, stumbled upon what would become one of the most serendipitous finds in cinematic and automotive history. Their journey from a mundane auction bid to uncovering a Hollywood relic encapsulates the sheer unpredictability of life’s adventures.
A Remarkable Discovery: James Bond’s Iconic Submarine Car
The couple had modest hopes when they bid just $100 on an unclaimed storage unit at a local auction, driven more by curiosity than certainty. This simple decision unexpectedly led them to a remarkable find. Hidden under dust and old blankets was a car that appeared ordinary at first but turned out to be the iconic 1976 Lotus Esprit from the 1977 James Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me.” This car not only represented a piece of cinematic history but also showed how treasures from the past could resurface with fascinating stories.
Initially, the significance of their discovery eluded the couple. It wasn’t until truckers loading the car recognized it as the famous Bond submarine car that its true value was revealed. This incident highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of being open to learning, qualities that not only enrich our lives but can lead to uncovering hidden treasures in unexpected places. This extraordinary find serves as a reminder that even the most ordinary moments can hold the potential for magic and wonder, encouraging us to remain vigilant and adventurous.
What makes the Lotus Esprit Special?
The 1976 Lotus Esprit is not just a car; it’s a symbol of innovation and the seamless blending of reality with cinematic fantasy. Its role in the 1977 James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, making it an iconic piece of movie history.
A Car Like No Other
In “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the Lotus Esprit showcased not only its sleek design but also its fictional capability to transform into a submarine. This feature is a testament to the creativity of filmmakers and the allure of spy gadgets that captivated viewers. It represents the peak of ’70s cinematic ingenuity and the ongoing human fascination with technology and transformation.
Cultural Impact
The discovery of the Lotus Esprit is a reminder of how certain objects can hold significant cultural value, bridging generations and sparking conversations. It’s a piece of nostalgia that connects fans of classic cinema and car enthusiasts alike, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the James Bond franchise and its influence on pop culture.
A Collector’s Dream
For collectors, the Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me” is more than just a vehicle; it’s a collectible piece of art. Its value goes beyond the physical—it carries the weight of its cinematic history, making it a highly coveted item among collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
The Lotus Esprit stands as a monumental find, symbolizing the intersection of artistic creativity and technological advancement. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that film and innovation have on our culture and imagination.
The Auction and Elon Musk’s Interests
The journey of the Lotus Esprit from a forgotten storage unit to the hands of Elon Musk is a testament to the power of serendipity and the allure of a truly unique find. The culmination of this saga at an auction event adds an exciting twist to an already captivating narrative.
Elon Musk’s Interest
- A Maverick’s Eye: Elon Musk’s decision to purchase the Lotus Esprit speaks volumes about his character as a visionary and a maverick. While others may see a car, Musk sees an opportunity for innovation and inspiration.
- Adding to the Collection: For Musk, acquiring the Lotus Esprit is more than just a financial transaction—it’s a chance to own a piece of history and add to his collection of iconic vehicles.
Elon Musk’s Top 5 Eclectic Splurges
From vintage cars turned submarines to pieces of pop culture history, Elon Musk’s spending habits reveal a penchant for the unique and the extraordinary. This article delves into the top five quirky items that the billionaire entrepreneur has added to his collection, showcasing his diverse interests and larger-than-life personality.
- A Vintage Airplane: Musk purchased a vintage WWII airplane, a Piper J-3 Cub, which is known for its simplicity and historical significance in aviation training. Musk, an enthusiast of aeronautics and space, views this as a collector’s piece, linking his passions for history, technology, and personal flying.
- A Piece of the Berlin Wall: Musk acquired a segment of the historic Berlin Wall, a symbol of freedom’s triumph over oppression. This piece not only serves as a decorative artifact in his office but also as a constant reminder of perseverance and change.
- Wet Nellie Submarine: Alongside the Lotus Esprit, Musk bought another submarine, famously known as Wet Nellie, which was custom-built for underwater scenes in the same James Bond film. Musk’s interest in this submarine aligns with his fascination with engineering challenges and his ventures in space and deep-sea exploration.
- Gene Wilder’s Former Home: Musk bought the former Los Angeles estate of beloved actor Gene Wilder, primarily to preserve the memory of the late actor. He has expressed intentions to keep the home unchanged to honor Wilder’s legacy, using it as a private school for his children.
- A Real Dinosaur Skull: Musk once bought a fossilized dinosaur skull of a Mosasaur, a marine reptile, which he displayed in his office. This purchase underscores his interest in paleontology and the natural history of Earth, reflecting his broader curiosity about science and the past.
Parting Thoughts:
Elon Musk’s acquisition of the Lotus Esprit, famously transformed into a submarine in the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” exemplifies how seemingly ordinary items can possess extraordinary significance. This car’s journey from a neglected item in a dusty storage unit to becoming a cherished artifact owned by one of today’s most influential tech innovators is a vivid testament to the power of curiosity and the potential hidden in the mundane. Musk’s interest in the Lotus Esprit isn’t merely about owning a piece of movie history; it represents a deeper appreciation for innovation and the thrill of reimagining the possible. This purchase not only highlights the unexpected joy of discovery but also underscores the importance of remaining open to the possibilities that might lie in a garage sale, an old attic, or a forgotten storage unit. For those who value a lifestyle of health and inspiration, Musk’s story with the Lotus Esprit serves as a compelling metaphor for personal growth and discovery. It shows that just as a simple act of curiosity led to a transformative find, we, too, can encounter wellness and fulfillment in the unforeseen moments of our daily lives. Let this narrative encourage you to embrace exploration, to actively seek out, and to cherish the hidden gems in your own life. Whether it’s venturing into new experiences, reviving old passions, or stepping beyond your usual boundaries, the potential for new discoveries surrounds us. This story invites us to see each mundane purchase not just as a transaction, but as a potential gateway to our next great adventure.