The Spy Who Loved Me Lotus Esprit
This unique Lotus Esprit provided the unforgettable chase sequence in The Spy Who Loved Me and created a moment of movie magic as Bond drove it off a jetty and into the sea, transforming into a fully functioning submarine nicknamed “Wet Nellie”.
This brand new 1:8 scale model kit is equipped with all the underwater weaponry deployed in the battle that ensued.
Specifications & Features
Remote Control
The spinning propellors, headlights and interior lighting are all operated by hand-held remote control
Interior Lights
The nautical instrument display and missile controls light up
Spinning Propellors
Small motors operate the propellers allowing them to rotate electronically and at speed
The Spy Who Loved Me Lotus Esprit
Our 1:8 scale Lotus Esprit includes all the gadgets used by James Bond in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me to thwart Karl Stromberg's henchmen.
Presented in its distinctive amphibious form, "Wet Nellie" is equipped with an array of gadgets including the ink spray jets, surface-to-air missiles, front-mounted torpedo launcher and limpet mine dispenser. The four propellers beneath the rear bumper are powered by motors to provide impressive high-speed rotation, and the four hydrofins and two tail fins rotate. Interior details include an illuminated central radar monitor and nautical control panel.
All the features of this high-performance Lotus Esprit are authentically replicated, including the 907 4-cylinder engine, pop-up headlights, functioning brake lights and indicators, & detailed badges. The die-cast bodywork is colour-matched in Monaco White.
SPECIFICATION
Scale: 1:8
Materials: Body and chassis made from zamak metal
Length: 56 cm (22”)
Width: 29 cm (11”)
Height: 14 cm (5 1/2”)
Weight: 7 kg (15 lbs) approx.
Number of parts: 500 approx.
Supplied with removeable display stand
FEATURES
- Front-mounted torpedo launcher
- hidden inside the nose
- loaded with torpedoes (stun and explosive) and harpoons
- Air defence system
- surface-to-air missile launcher
- Defence jets
- concealed behind the rear number plate
- two smaller ink cloud jets
- two larger liquid cement sprayers
- Limpet mine hatch with mine
- opens from underneath
- Four rear propellers
- with motorized spin
- Targeting periscope
- Illuminated nautical control panel and radar
- Working pop-up headlights
- Functioning brake lights and indicators
- Pre-painted in iconic Monaco White
It's all in the detail
Outstanding detail at 1:8 scale
MOTORIZED PROPELLERS
Four rear propellers include motors to power them electronically
HARPOONS AND TORPEDOES
The torpedo launcher is loaded with two harpoons and four heat-seeking torpedoes
AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM
Four surface-to-air missiles are concealed in launchers within the rear window
ROTATING FINS
Four hydroplane fins and two tail fins used for stabilization change direction
NAUTICAL CONTROLS
The nautical controls and radar monitor used for operating the vehicle in submarine form are illuminated
JET SPRAYERS
Press the rear number plate to reveal the concealed ink sprayers
Video
Pack 1 review
World of Wayne
Our Model
Propellers
Upgrade to the Collector's Edition
Enhance your James Bond Collection with an illuminated display plinth and plaque, protective display case and exclusive diorama from
The Spy Who Loved Me.
Each of our 007 models will have a movie-specific display case to show and protect your museum-quality model.
The exclusive background photograph is from the official movie image library!
• Acrylic display case with black-painted wooden base
• High-quality, official movie image print in background
• Bespoke display plinth for the Lotus Esprit
• Movie-inspired terrain image under the car
• Illuminated The Spy Who Loved Me logo
• Illuminated Agora Models logo
• Metal specification-plaque
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Price includes Packs 1–3 (Packs 4–12 will be charged monthly when due)
Your buying options
When you place your order we will send your first pack with the first stages of your kit to build your model. Following this, you will be sent another pack every month for 11 months. You will be charged monthly.
Alternatively, you may choose the 24-month plan click here for more details.
(S&H cost per pack: USA $9.99; Canada & Mexico $19.99)
We ship worldwide. Your order will be in US$
PACK 1 ONLY $74.99
then $149.99 per month
PACK 1 ONLY $74.99
then $79.99 per month
COLLECTOR'S EDITION
+ Packs 1-3 : $899
Agora Advantage Club
FREE PACK
Each time you complete an Agora model you qualify for a complimentary Pack 1 of your next model.
Lotus Esprit
Lotus Esprit History
The original Esprit was Lotus’ entry into the modern supercar market. Its exotic shape and futuristic functions were a new direction from other models produced by the manufacturer at the time.
The Esprit began its journey at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, where Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign debuted a concept car remembered at Lotus as “the Silver Car”. Giugiaro, however, had dubbed it “Esprit”. The front end of the concept was a radical design, described as “folded paper”, but still easy to manufacture for full production. After seeing the public reaction to the design, Lotus began to build a production model. Applying their Type 907 inline-4 engine, mounted at 45 degrees to keep a low centre of gravity, the result was unveiled at the 1975 Paris Motor Show – the Lotus Esprit.
The first Lotus Esprits were delivered in 1976, powered by the successful four-cylinder Lotus 907 2.0L engine. With 16 valve DOHC and two Dell’Orto carburettors, it produced 160bhp at 6200 rpm. Wind-tunnel tested for aerodynamic efficiency and stability, the exotic mid-engine two-seater sports car had clear influence from Lotus’ racing pedigree. At the time, they had won more Formula One Grand Prix than any other motor vehicle manufacturer. The body was manufactured using the latest Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (G.F.R.P.) technology, while the interior was upholstered in washable fabric. The headlights were fully retractable and could be raised at the touch of a button or lowered to maintain the aerodynamic efficiency.
While its performance was moderate, it was the handling and styling of the Lotus Esprit that kept it selling. Its popularity was further boosted by the car starring in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, where it left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. By 1980, the Esprit was upgraded to the Series 2 (S2) and would continue with revisions in the following years. The Esprit name has become synonymous with Lotus. Variations were released throughout the 1980s, 90s and into the early 2000s, all of which bear the familiar styling of Giorgetto Giugario’s iconic design.
Technical Specification
Car type: 2-door sports coupé
Weight: 1,006 kg (2218 lbs)
Dimensions: 4260 mm (167 3/4″) long, 1861 mm (73 1/4″) wide, 1111 mm (43 3/4″) high
Power: 160 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 140 lbs-ft (190 Nm) @ 4900 rpm
Engine type: Lotus 907 16v dohc
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Top speed: 138 mph (222 km/h)
0–60 mph: 8.4 sec
The Spy Who Loved Me
A total of seven Esprit bodyshells were produced to film the underwater action. One was fired from an air-cannon to film the launch into the sea, with the others fitted with the various amphibious machinery for filming the submarine transformation sequence.
A full size submersible was created by a marine engineering company and operated by a former Navy Seal called Don Griffin in full scuba gear. The affectionate nickname "Wet Nellie" was in deference to You Only Live Twice's Little Nellie autogyro.
Director of Photography, Claude Renoir, decided that the Esprit should be white as this would be the most effective colour for the car's scenes in Sardinia, Italy.
Lotus supplied two cars, seven bodyshells and various spare parts for the movie - a deal done with a simple handshake.
Roger Moore's natural sense of humour was on par with his laconic incarnation of Bond and it was his idea to drop a fish out of the window as the Esprit emerged from the water during the iconic beach scene.
