In 1989, a contractor from Long Island purchased a mystery container for less than $100, only to discover a piece of film history inside. When the buyer and his brother pulled back the blankets covering the “giant lump,” they found a white, wheelless sports car. Initially unsure of its identity, they later learned from Doug Redenius, co-founder of the Ian Fleming Foundation, that they had acquired the famous James Bond submarine car from “The Spy Who Loved Me.”

The 1977 film, starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach, features the car in a memorable mountaintop chase scene, after which it transforms into a submarine upon entering the ocean. Known on set as ‘Wet Nellie,’ the car was built in the 1970s at a cost exceeding $100,000. Redenius revealed that eight Lotus Esprits were used during filming: two for the chase scene, three for underwater shots, and one for submarine footage.

In September 2013, the underwater Lotus Esprit went up for auction, expected to fetch over $1 million. Elon Musk emerged as the winning bidder, purchasing the car in London for $997,000. Initially buying the vehicle anonymously, Musk later expressed his childhood admiration for the car, recounting his excitement watching James Bond drive it off a pier and transform it into a submarine.

Musk admitted his disappointment upon discovering the car couldn’t actually transform. However, he announced plans to upgrade it with a Tesla electric powertrain to make the transformation a reality. This discovery and subsequent auction highlight the enduring legacy and fascination with James Bond’s iconic gadgets and vehicles, capturing the imagination of fans worldwide.

This incredible find underscores the unexpected treasures that can emerge from the most unlikely places, blending the allure of cinematic history with the promise of modern technological innovation.