First sold in 1973, the car was purchased used by EON films in 1986, because the automaker had an 18-month-long waiting list for new cars at the time.
Originally painted Tudor Green metallic with a fuel-injected engine and an automatic gearbox, the production team had to repaint it Cumberland Grey, added the hood from a carbureted model and a sunroof, and updated any details that had been redesigned since the car was first sold 13 years earlier.
In addition, it was given removable skis and a prop rocket thruster to help make it an appropriate ride for James Bond. Unfortunately, its moment in the limelight wasn’t gentle. This example was used for a scene in which it was to be driven down a hill and into a snowbank. To make the whole process easier, the production team removed the engine and gearbox.
It was sold to its current owner in 2021, who decided that it was finally time to give the car its engine back. A carburated V540 V8 engine with Vantage-spec upgrades was installed, along with the correct ZF five-speed manual transmission.
While they were replacing the engine, the owner took the opportunity to fix any corrosion, repair any mechanical issues, and repaint the car to make it look good as new. In addition, a removable center console with dummy switches for all of the movie gadgets was fitted, as well as a self-destruct button. Finally, a flamethrower was added to make the rear rocket booster more believable.
RM Sotheby’s, which is handling the auction, estimates that it will go for between $1.4 to $1.8 million at its Monterey sale, which is taking place between August 17-19.
Source: Carscoops
