London, England (December 2, 2008) — With the 007 movie “Quantum of Solace” bringing James Bond back into the public eye, Bonhams yesterday sold the 1976 Lotus Esprit, driven by Roger Moore in “The Spy Who Loved Me,” for $165,000.
The classic white sports car, which attracted worldwide attention at Bonhams’ annual motoring sale in Olympia, West London, was bought by a private U.S. collector, who was bidding on the telephone against a number of people in the saleroom. Commenting after the sale, the car’s new owner, who described himself as both a Lotus and James Bond aficionado, said that the car would be going to Atlanta, Georgia.
The vehicle was one of two Lotus cars driven in the 1977 film by Roger Moore’s James Bond character. In the movie it turned into an amphibious car, driven both on land and underwater.