Bond Lotus sub 1/6

wasili

wasili

Sr Member
Hey all,

Today 32 years ago one of my favourite Bond movies premiered:

The Spy Who Loved Me.

From this, off course the flick fave was Bond Lotus Esprit S1-turns-submarine.

A few years ago a commissioned build (in 1/4th scale for an RC sub version) just slipped through my fingers. But not before i heavily researched the real car and the subs. I even contacted the national Lotus dealer, and visited their dealership when they had an S3 Esprit come in for repairs. I took dims of just about everything on the car i could use (sans the front and rear ..differs from S1). But more importantly i completely taped up the car using a laser pointer, to create cross-sections every 4 inches.

The project is now revived, and with my other current project (the Tintin moonrocket, seen in another thread here on the rpf) in the final stages, it's time to gear up for another cool project.

The biggest difference is that it's going to be in 1/6th scale, making it about 2' 4" long (69cm). I spoke at length on the subject with my good friend Marc from New England, who builds RC subs for a living, and he guarantees this is big enough to accommodate a complete R/C package.

This will most likely become a kit. It will consist of the exterior only, with all the details to make up either a nice presentation model, or go nuts with R/C.

I've dusted off most of the data i previously gathered, but the most important stuff (the S3 pics and lines) is still stuck on an old crashed pc. This friday i'll visit a friend who will help me recover everything, and it's go from there.....

Can't wait to start cutting....

Cheers,

Wasili

Lotus_Esprit_S1_Spy_Who_Loved_Me.jpg
 
Man what a cool project!!!

I remember seing that scene for the first time, I was totally blowned away! I had two Corgi toy cars based on it.

You must show us pics when you start to build this!


Cheers
 
An R/C Esprit sub would be a beautiful thing. I had the little Matchbox-sized one, and the larger one with the spring action fins and launching rockets.

You know, in the scheme of things, little CO2 powered rockets shouldn't be that hard to construct...
 
Offcourse in line with research for this project, it was necessary for me to obtain the Autoart 1/18 Lotus.....and a few others...:ninja


Wasili
 
TSWLM was the first Bond film I ever saw in a theater and it has remained a favorite with me. I even have the poster hanging in my gallery. This sounds like a great project. Good luck with it.
 
newworld said:
TSWLM was the first Bond film I ever saw in a theater and it has remained a favorite with me. I even have the poster hanging in my gallery. This sounds like a great project. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...


Same.

This should be an awesome project to follow.
 
I remember seeing that at a car show that was in town back then. didn't see the movie till it was on HBO but the car looked cool in person.
 
God, another project that I need to resurrect.

I have a 1/4 scale shell from SPY that I need to finish (the cutting mat is 3' long!) -

attachment.php


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Story goes that it was out of the same mold as the production used SPFX miniatures (which, themselves, were only used in about 4 cuts in the movie). This photo of Derek Meddings seems to bear out the size -

attachment.php


...and that miniature behind Derek has been on display from time to time over the years. There is a guy that goes by the handle of BondPix on E-bay. I've found him to be a nice guy and bought a couple of photos that he took of the miniature when it was on display. Go ahead and check him out and see if he has anything that can help you.

Watching the movie, it's tough to see the miniature Lotus Sub shots, save for the two at the end of the sequence (where they are looking in to Stromberg's window).

Here's the twist in the story - I've recently been told that the 40" miniature that has been on display was not the one actually used in the film. The model that was used in the film was more along the lines of 1/6th scale (or smaller) and about 2' long (which would account for the out of scale bubbles in the two shots we can easily spot in the film). Based on the photos I have from BondPix, as well as how the raw casting came in to my possession, I do believe it to be a piece that was made for SPY, but I'm not so sure it was actually used in SPY. If there are any British RPF'ers out there that can get some more info from the guys that worked with Derek, please feel free to pass it along.

Regardless of it's use, it's going to build up into a unique item (if somewhat cumbersome to display).

Gene
 
GKvfx said:
God, another project that I need to resurrect.

I have a 1/4 scale shell from SPY that I need to finish (the cutting mat is 3' long!) -

Story goes that it was out of the same mold as the production used SPFX miniatures (which, themselves, were only used in about 4 cuts in the movie). This photo of Derek Meddings seems to bear out the size -

attachment.php


...and that miniature behind Derek has been on display from time to time over the years. There is a guy that goes by the handle of BondPix on E-bay. I've found him to be a nice guy and bought a couple of photos that he took of the miniature when it was on display. Go ahead and check him out and see if he has anything that can help you.

Watching the movie, it's tough to see the miniature Lotus Sub shots, save for the two at the end of the sequence (where they are looking in to Stromberg's window).

Here's the twist in the story - I've recently been told that the 40" miniature that has been on display was not the one actually used in the film. The model that was used in the film was more along the lines of 1/6th scale (or smaller) and about 2' long (which would account for the out of scale bubbles in the two shots we can easily spot in the film). Based on the photos I have from BondPix, as well as how the raw casting came in to my possession, I do believe it to be a piece that was made for SPY, but I'm not so sure it was actually used in SPY. If there are any British RPF'ers out there that can get some more info from the guys that worked with Derek, please feel free to pass it along.

Regardless of it's use, it's going to build up into a unique item (if somewhat cumbersome to display).

Gene
Click to expand...

Gene, that model looks awful. It's probably better if you just send it over to me, i'll get rid of it....:lol

Seriously, cool model. The shape is very close to the original Lotus Esprit (not the windowframes, those are very thick). The lines of many Lotus models are way of, even the 1/18 Autoart diecast Lotus has some issues.

And "Bondpix", that's David Williams. Nice guy, and i have those Lotus pics. Also have his Qboat dvd. But for the most, the model i'm building is modelled after the full-size car.

I'll be using my cnc for the basic shape, and yesterday

I talk a lot to one of Derek Meddings' modelers that worked with him on Goldeneye, but i don't know anyone that goes back til "Spy". There is a newer book from Shubrook on Meddings, that has some nice shots of the full-size Lotus being prepped and filmed.

That shot with Meddings and the models is one of my favourites. Always feel i want to start building something.

Cheers,

Wasili
 
Post up some detailed measurements and pictures for the wheel fins and the front nose when you're done, please... as well as my Tomorrow Never Dies Bond BMW I know someone with a white Esprit who is interested in going to charity shows with the Star Car Central folks, but he needs me to make him some finned wheel covers and a front missile battery out of fiberglass first.

--Brian
 
I'm very happy to say i could retrieve all the data regarding this project, from my old crashed pc. I couldn't remember everything i had, but was surprised to find hundreds of dvd screencaps and a lot more pics of the sub while on set.

Here's the Esprit i taped up at the national dealer. As mentioned it's a Turbo, bit later production version than the S1 from SPY, but most of the data i gathered makes up for about 90% of the model.

Got some MDF from the shop for use as lineup of the datum planes. Will get my green foam from storage tomorrow. Hopefully will start first CAD cutting on monday.

Cheers,

Wasili


wasili-bondlotus01a.jpg
 
In doing my research (I was going to convert an Auto-Art 1/18th scale Lotus Esprit Turbo to the Bond sub car), what seems to be different is the front bumper, the air dam underneath the front bumper, the rear bumper (including the body area around the tail lights (which has a more pronounced lip) and the running board area under the doors that have scoops in the Turbo version.

Now, I don't think this changes the overall length that much. Like you said, a 1979 Turbo is 90% 1978 Esprit....

As for the odd shaped windows on my casting - I can only assume they were molded that way in order for them to be removed for the interior to be seen. I will likely paint that area dark gray and then install the louvers (with some glass for the reflection) over the entire area.

Additionally, in looking at the film and the full size car, it looks like the only actual "louvers" were on the side windows. The rear window looks like nothing more than a giant piece of scribed styrene placed replacing the glass. The front window appears to have strips of tape applied directly to the windshield glass.

The problem with this is that there are multiple cars used in the film (yeah, I know they are all supposed to have the same shell, but the details are likely different due to the function of each), and the cars that are on tour have been restored. I don't know how much I trust a restoration. And, of course, the miniature could vary significantly from the full size. So, it's a matter (I guess) of coming up with a version that you are satisfied with.

Hey Wasili, did you take some measurements of the door handle, fuel cap, and the little square vents on the bonnet of the car? The casting I have is bare on the doors and the vents are only scribed in. That would help a bunch.

thanks,

Gene
 
GKvfx said:
In doing my research (I was going to convert an Auto-Art 1/18th scale Lotus Esprit Turbo to the Bond sub car), what seems to be different is the front bumper, the air dam underneath the front bumper, the rear bumper (including the body area around the tail lights (which has a more pronounced lip) and the running board area under the doors that have scoops in the Turbo version.

Now, I don't think this changes the overall length that much. Like you said, a 1979 Turbo is 90% 1978 Esprit....
Click to expand...

Hey Gene,

Those areas you mention are exactly what (IMHO) make the Turbo far less attractive than the original S1. The main body is still the same as the S1. And a fyi, Autoart did produce a 1/18 Bond sub, complete with foldable wheels.

Additionally, in looking at the film and the full size car, it looks like the only actual "louvers" were on the side windows. The rear window looks like nothing more than a giant piece of scribed styrene placed replacing the glass. The front window appears to have strips of tape applied directly to the windshield glass.
Click to expand...
There is an unrestored Esprit sub shell at the new Bond museum in the UK, and the front louvres are shown as one piece (meaning one flat panel with long gaps), so apparently no tape there. There's some pics on Flickr.com that show it.

I was surprised as well when i noticed the back 'louvre' is nothing like a louvre. When the rocket shoots out, you can see it very clearly.

Hey Wasili, did you take some measurements of the door handle, fuel cap, and the little square vents on the bonnet of the car? The casting I have is bare on the doors and the vents are only scribed in. That would help a bunch.

thanks,

Gene
Click to expand...
Yes, i have all the dims of the details you mention.

Btw, today i got two books on the history of the Giugiaro Esprit (pré 90's). Many pics, and an interesting read. Clearly describes all the different versions produced.

Cheers,

Wasili
 
Hey folks,

I've set up my cnc machine to machine directly from 3d files, and am trying to teach myself how to 3d model the esprit in rhino. But that is proving to be quite difficult. Never (digitally) modelled a car before.

Will take a while before it's done.

Oh, and Gene, i still have to get you the dims of the doorhandles and such..

Cheers,

Wasili
 
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