East Cobber James Strickland will be showcasing his 1976 Lotus Esprit and 1976 Lotus Esprit Marine, a functioning boat, at the Atlanta Boat Show January 12–15. The cars are based on the submarine car featured in the James Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me.”
In the movie, the Lotus goes under water and becomes a submarine. A designer in England took a real Lotus Esprit car without an engine or interior and sealed the bottom. The car designer then added the submarine fins on the side, a periscope, a revolving license tag, and guns in the back.
James Strickland couldn’t resist and bought it at an international auction. He had the car imported to go along with his other James Bond car. Commander 007 “James” Strickland and his girlfriend, “Agent XXX” Billie Leonard, will be in Bond attire hosting the display of the James Bond Lotus Esprit Marine at the Atlanta Boat Show.
2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the movie which actually debuted on 007/007/77. Scenes from the movie involving the Lotus and the Lotus submarine will be displayed on a monitor along with the cars.
James Strickland has launched the 1976 Lotus Esprit Marine, at Lake Lanier many times and the car successfully stayed above water, right where its current owner, “James” wants it to be. Strickland grew up watching the James Bond movies and identified with the protagonist, as they share a first name. After hearing the girls in the movies say “Oh, James,” there was no way he would ever be referred to as “Jim.”
“There was no way I could ever be a ‘Jim’ after that,” he says. Strickland has fifteen cars altogether and drives all but one, he says. He has five Jaguars, six Loti and the rest are miscellaneous, he said. He enjoys the history surrounding his cars and used to work on them himself when he was younger. With no wife or kids, he hasn’t had anyone telling him to spend less time on his cars, he said with a grin.
The Atlanta Boat Show is Georgia’s premier boat show to see and buy boats, gear and accessories. Hundreds of new boats, including powerboats, center consoles, ski boats and personal watercraft, and booths showcasing the latest in engines, marine gear, electronics, docks and accessories fill the Georgia World Congress Center. The 4-day event is a once-a year chance to compare makes and models, secure insurance and financing and gear up with the latest accessories all at one time!
The Atlanta Boat Show will be held January 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, 280 Northside Drive, NW in Atlanta, GA 30314. For more information visit atlantaboatshow.com.
