The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Vintage flying car offered at auction

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang up for grabs

She may not be full of gizmos like Bond's DB5, nor does she talk like Knight Rider's KITT, yet Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains one of the most loveable motors in the history of cinema. Which is why collectors will be chuffed to know she's going under the hammer next month.

If you wish to take Chitty on a trip to find the gloomy land of Vulgaria though, you'll have to spend millions to do so. Fuel aside, the vehicle is expected to fetch up to $2m (£1.2m).

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Designed by Ken Adam and built by the Ford Racing Team, Chitty offers quite the Bang Bang for your buck. The bonnet is made from a polished aluminium, while the red and white cedar decking was crafted by boat builders in Buckinghamshire. The dashboard is made from a World War I fighter plane and the interior is kitted out with brass fittings from various Edwardian vehicles.

Despite being quite the antique, this fine, four-fendered friend is still in full road-worthy condition and comes with the original GEN 11 number plates as seen in the 1968 film based on Ian Fleming's novel.

Last year, 007's Aston Martin DB5 fetched over $4m at auction. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang isn't expected to reach such monumental figure, but it's still perhaps a truly scrumptious deal for any rich Caractacus Potts wannabe.

Bidding begins in 19 days. Better start saving. ®

At last...

A flying car.

I'll want to give it a go toot sweet.

ttfn

2
0

It is a handsome thing.

Anyone know if the design is copyright? I reckon it's buildable at home.

1
0

Buildable at home?

At least one person made something close : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-446637/Truly-scrumptious--The-man-turned-Land-Rover-Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.html

Might not fly, but probably off-road capable (if you take the 'wings' off)

0
0

Almost a flying car...

It had the engine for it. The cars that inspired Fleming were built by Count Louis Zborowsky using Mercedes Aero engines..

No. 1 had a 23 litre Maybach 6 cyl and was chain driven!!...

:)

0
0

Favorite Line

"You'll find a slight squeeze on the hooter an excellent safety precaution"

0
0

More from The Register

Android is a mess and needs sprucing up, admits chief
Can Google really fix it? It isn't in control any more
New Lumia 925: This, loyalists, is the BIG ONE you've waited for
Nokia veep drills high-end master plan for El Reg
Android device? Ooohhhh, you mean a Samsung phone
Koreans nabbed nearly all the Q1 profits – more even than Google
Review: HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
All roads lead to Chrome?
Borked your iDevice? Pay EVEN MORE to have it fixed by Applecare
Or scream at their hapless techies on their forums
Euro PC shipments plummet into bottomless pit of DOOOOM
11th quarter of decline, 20pc drop on last year - Gartner
Report: AT&T dropping Facebook phone after dismal sales
Turns out folks won't buy that for a dollar