One of the most famous cars in the tinsel world will go under the hammers on July 11th. Captain Nemo’s six-wheeled Nautilus car from Sean Connery/Naseerudhin Shah adventure movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will be sold by international auctioneers Coys at their Blenheim Palace auction on July 11th….reports Asian Lite News
This vehicle nicknamed as Ganesha because of its frontal decorations with images of Hindu god Ganesh is not legal for use on UK roads and is not suitable for conventional road driving. No warranty is made or implied as to its roadworthiness or mechanical condition, But it is expected to fetch up to £25,000. For the last few years, the car has been part of a large collection of movie props and costumes at Prop Store’s UK facility.
Designed by production designer and art director Carol Spier and one of only two made, this fully functional and complete vehicle was used throughout the film and features heavily on the promotional posters. Its twin was rigged with scaffolding for filming the actor’s close-ups.
Chris Routledge, Managing Partner of Coys, said: “We have a long tradition of selling film, television and celebrity cars, and having such a cool car from such a cool film is really exciting. We are offering an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the cars that actually appeared in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and which will undoubtedly increase in value in years to come.”
The vehicle started life as a Land Rover fire tender, adapted via a steel frame with the addition of a Rover V8 engine. The chassis is covered in an intricate ivory coloured fibreglass shell and features a wealth of elaborate embellishments in an aged gold effect on both the exterior and interior. Inspiration for the decoration was taken from the Hindu god Ganesha and assorted flora and fauna. The interior is trimmed with faux leather and even features the original Land Rover dials.
The wheels each measure 72cm and hidden within the arches are hydraulics to adjust the ride height. The car retains most of its original functionality and shows signs of wear and evidence of running repairs from on-set use. In spite of this wear, the car is in running condition.
Stephen Lane, founder of Prop Store, said: “I bought the Nautilus from the film company after The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen came out because I loved the car, loved the design and felt it was one of the most emotive vehicles I have ever seen, a true design icon. I have taken it to Essen, driven it at the Lord Mayor’s Show and now feel its time to let somebody else own it and enjoy it.”