Since their inception, shipping containers have proven themselves to be incredibly useful for the storage and transport of goods. Today, there are millions of them in circulation, so it’s almost unavoidable that a few of them end up in places they shouldn’t be.
Because they’re so tough and hardwearing, their contents are usually safe and well-preserved; and ready to be found by someone.
We’ve already taken a look at strange things that washed up ashore after a few shipping containers became lost at sea. Now, we’re having a gander at weird things that were found inside shipping containers:
1. A James Bond Car
One of the most famous things ever found inside a container was a James Bond car. But not just any vehicle, no, the Lotus Esprit that was used in The Spy Who Loved Me! A Long Island contractor bought a container for $100 in 1989 and discovered a ‘lump of blankets’ that turned out to be a white sports car without wheels and with a dent in the roof.
The car was later authenticated by the Ian Fleming Foundation and bought in 2013 at auction by Elon Musk, who purchased it for almost $1 million (or £616,000). Apparently, this vehicle cannot be driven on land but is functional in submarine mode.
2. Tear Gas Lipstick
Yes, you read that right! Tear gas lipstick was found in a shipping container that arrived in Sydney in 2013, believed to be part of a shipment of illegal weapons destined for the city’s markets. Other gadgets were seized with this tear gas, such as electronic stun guns that looked like iPhones!
3. A Harley Davidson
It’s not surprising that after the Japanese tsunami of 2011, a lot of shipping containers and cargo were lost, some of it never to be found again (sunken in the ocean, perhaps…). A man called Peter Mark was driving along the beach in British Columbia in 2012 when he found a container that had ripped open.
The golf clubs and camping equipment are already a great find, but the best thing about the container was the Harley Davidson inside! The motorcycle was damaged, and the license plate showed that it came from the Miyagi Prefecture in Japan.
4. Radiation
What could be worse than testing out a container before opening (to ensure it’s safe) and find that there’s something inside emitting radiation? Such was the case of a container in Italy, in 2011, which revealed an unusual amount of radiation – strong enough to prompt an enquiry.
Another surprise awaited the authorities who opened the container. Inside, there was only a harmless small piece of copper, so the mystery of the source of the radiation continues!
Shipping containers can withstand a lot, from adverse weather conditions to long and hard journeys by sea, keeping their contents intact each time. If you need a container for storage, transport, or even to build you brand-new home, don’t hesitate to contact us today on 020 8459 6972. We’re experts in site accommodation and steel storage units and can offer you exactly what you’re seeking!
