Auburn, IN, June 3, 2007 -- Avid film buffs and those who’ve dreamed about owning a car with wings descended on the Kruse International Auburn Spring MotorFair last Saturday, June 2, 2007, to bid on one of the most famous movie cars in history.
The flying car from the MGM 1968 movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” starring Dick Van Dyke, was offered to a packed house of bidders who traveled from all over the country to view this and some other rare and desirable cars. The sales total for every car in the auction reached over $8 million!
While there were other cars to excite the buyers it was the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” car that created a stir as people crowded around to view this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Dean Kruse, President of Kruse International shouts through the microphone, “This was a once in a lifetime chance to bid on one of the most rare and desirable movie cars ever built.” Ralph Spencer was the lucky high bidder buying the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car for $505,000.
While a flying movie car, that doesn’t really fly, may not be the most practical purchase it’s one that surely would please the movie’s screenwriter, Roald Dahl, (who also gave us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Dahl believed, “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”
This winged movie machine was used for stage close ups and transformation scenes, including the flying configuration where the car used its helicopter propellers to escape to the fictional town of Vulgaria. These helicopter propellers were used only one time as a grand finale to the movie. That’s pretty low mileage, as far as winged movie cars are concerned.
Before flying into the arms of its new owner the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” car was owned by Jim Rich of Sugar Grove displayed it in a restaurant attraction known as “Chicago West, Mona Lisa’s Hideaway.”
This was just one of the cars to be found hovering at the Kruse auction.
A sample of some of the other fantasy machines and the prices they garnered.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” movie car for $505,000
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE for $141,000
2005 Bentley GT for $116,000
1968 Ford Mustang Shelby 500 GT for $114,000
1969 Ford Mustang Shelby 500 GT for $88,000
2001 Bentley Sedan for $81,000
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible for $75,000
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible for $71,000
2005 Ford GT40 Replica for $70,000
1966 Ford GT40 Continuation (Unfinished) for $70,000
Kruse International was very happy with the turnout at this auction. This ranked second of all the16 Auburn Spring MotorFairs. Next up for the company is the Kruse the 37th Annual Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction August 29 – September 4. There will be over 5,000 cars but unfortunately, none of them fly.
For more information, contact Kruse International at (800) 968-4444 or visit them at
www.Kruse.com
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