Lotus (Sub Version) - James Bond 007

Name:

Lotus Esprit S1 [Submarine Mode]

Number:

Release Date:

2008

Scale:

1:18

Origin:

China

Manufacturer:

AUTOart

SRP:

$ 89.99

Toy Design:

Char. Design:

Toy Line:

The James Bond Collection

Series:

James Bond

The Spy Who Loved Me

Fetish:

British Sci-Fi

Category:

Vehicle

Materials:

Plastic

Diecast

ABS

Review by AJProDie-Cast

You knew with my reviews of popular sci-fi thatJames Bond needed an entry in my collection. It is borderline sci-fi at best, but so a part of movies seen in my youth. I needed a diecast vehicle for my collection. The James Bond franchise has about a million different toys and vehicles, so what to buy? I did not want to inundate my collection (like 4 Batmobiles) and needed something very sci-fi-ish and diecast goodness. Well... except possibly the funky space shuttles from Moonraker, what is more "fantasy" than a 1970's Lotus submerging into the ocean and fighting a bunch of subs... hence my selection.
Made by Autoart is a 1/18 scale rendition of the Lotus Espirt in sub conversion mode from The Spy who Loved Me. It has normal packaging used in 1/18 vehicles.

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The vehicle has great lines and I like it as the sole James Bond entry in my collection.

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The front trunk and rear hatch open and you can remove the heat shield to see the engine.

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The doors open and you can see the retro 70's interior (look at that red plaid and blue).

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I was disappointed in the quality for 90 bucks plus shipping. It has a cheap feel my Mad Max car did not, but it still has some nice details including the back car sticker, the gas cap and insignia, nice door handles, the missile front tilts, anti-aircraft missile silo, license plates, and back and side fins that turn (the propeller blades don't, hence some of my complaints).

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I did not like how the weird flat plate/mirror on top, while metal, yellowed... (if anyone can identify what it was leave a post)

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Overall it looks great, has nice lines, and great detail... but when you hold it and start trying to adjust all the gimmicks (and find 90% static/frozen), it seems overpriced. I am still glad I bought it and have it, but it would probably a disappointment to many (maybe I was spoiled by MAD Max's car... it is the only other thing from Autoart I own).

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Posted 16 June, 2011 - 12:17 by AJProDie-Cast

Comments

9 comments posted

*(if anyone can identify what it was leave a post)

The full size Lotus submarine was a wet-submarine. That means it wasn't sealed, a diver operated it from the drivers seat. But the due the way the windows were covered, visibility was minimal. So the crew developed a two mirror system so the diver could see. The diver looks into a mirror inside the car and sees the reflection of the mirror mounted on the car roof.

Posted by BraveMSW on 16 June, 2011 - 14:37

thanks

Thank you!

Posted by AJProDie-Cast on 16 June, 2011 - 17:17

Ha! I didn't know this

Ha! I didn't know this existed. Too bad about the poor build quality--I have a long-standing love of this goofy vehicle. I picked up the little Corgi diecast when I was a lad in the UK and carried it everywhere. In fact, I still have it after all these years. ^_^

Posted by japester on 16 June, 2011 - 17:16

This vehicle mesmerized me as

This vehicle mesmerized me as a child, thanks for the review.

Posted by north-exit on 16 June, 2011 - 20:04

You're kidding

$90 and it doesn't even transform? Come on. If there's any version that actually does transform, let me know.

Also, one of my all-time favorite toys from the James Bond Jr. toyline channeled the Lotus. It was a motorcycle that could seal up and become a sub. Unlike just about any floating toy I've ever owned, it actually sealed up nicely.

Posted by atom smasher on 16 June, 2011 - 21:05

....

all I can say is I concur...they actually make the normal version...for another 90 Bucks...and 90 bucks is the "good" price lol

Posted by AJProDie-Cast on 16 June, 2011 - 21:25

Cool review. Seeing this

Cool review. Seeing this reminded me of the toy I had as a kid. It "transformed" from car to sub. I was about 3X as big as a matchbox car. I think there was a button that made the fins shoot out of the side and back. I think the fins on the back would flit up. And I believe it shot a missile or something. Maybe vertically out of the roof or trunk. I don't think the tires did anything though, maybe they were more like rollers in the bottom? I believe it was a corgi or dinky...now must resist buying/looking for one on ebay, must resist :)