Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will make a triumphant return this November when the first in a new series of novels is released, which is exciting news for classic car collectors and investors.

Almost 50 years after the original book's release in 1964, three novels following the flying car's adventures will excite a new audience.

James Bond creator Ian Fleming wrote the original book, based on the real car designed by racing enthusiast Count Zborowski.

"I went back to the book for the first time since I was a boy and was delighted to discover that, first of all, it's really good and, secondly, it's crying out for a sequel," said the author of the new books, Frank Cottrell Boyce.

The 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes that followed the novel continues to enthrall, and the price of the vehicles used in the making of the production could skyrocket.

Six cars were produced for the film

Six cars were made for the film, and many have appeared at auction, but just one is fully functioning and road worthy, the 1967-built GEN11. The car once competed in charity races throughout the UK and remained under the careful ownership of Pierre Picton in Stratford-upon-Avon for most of its life. Michael Jackson famously once attempted to buy the vehicle for close to $1m.

It has now been shipped to California, where it is expected to go to auction later this year.

A non-road going version sold for $505,000 in 2007.