The Lotus Esprit S1 made its memorable debut in the 1977 James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me,” where it gained fame as “Wet Nellie.” This unique “car-submarine” captivated audiences worldwide with its ability to seamlessly transition from a sleek car to a fully operational submarine, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. In total, eight Esprit models were utilized during filming, with Lotus providing two fully functional vehicles for the production. The transformation of one of these vehicles into a submersible for the underwater sequences came at a considerable cost of approximately $100,000.
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Equipped with an array of cutting-edge features such as cement dispensers, missile racks, and genuine submarine capabilities, Wet Nellie dazzled viewers with its impressive technological prowess on the big screen. Following the film’s widespread success, interest in the Lotus Esprit surged, solidifying its status as an automotive icon. Years later, the original Wet Nellie resurfaced from obscurity in a storage unit, fetching a mere $100 before ultimately being auctioned off in 2013 for a staggering $997,000 to none other than tech mogul Elon Musk.
In a bold move to breathe new life into the classic vehicle, Musk has ambitious plans to enhance Wet Nellie by outfitting it with a state-of-the-art Tesla powertrain and exploring the possibility of transforming it into a functional submarine. This innovative vision not only pays homage to the car’s storied past but also underscores the enduring legacy of the Lotus Esprit S1 as a cultural touchstone that continues to captivate audiences across generations. Musk’s ambitious project represents a fusion of automotive innovation and cinematic nostalgia, promising to propel Wet Nellie into a new era of technological marvels.
