James Bond Lotus submarine car sells for $967,000

007's Lotus Esprit submarine car from the movie "The Spy Who Loved Me" went under the hammer Monday at RM Auctions in London. With RM's estimated value between $1 million and $1.5 million, the famous movie car fell just shy of expectations, selling for $967,000, including commissions. But for the couple selling the swimming car, that figure still makes for a profit that Goldfinger would envy.

After filming the movie, the vehicle did the obligatory rounds, where the cars are often as popular as the actors. Once its duties were complete, the vehicle was placed into a storage container in Holbrook, N.Y., with the rent paid in advance for ten years. Eventually, in 1989 after being "forgotten about," the rent delinquent unit was put up for blind public auction, where the winning bidders reportedly paid less than $100, simply hoping to find some tools. One can't imagine the couple's surprise when the container was opened to reveal one of the most iconic movie cars of all-time.