Classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Pink Panther cars auction online

 

 

A couple of months ago, Paul wrote in his column about the power of 'wish fulfilment' on the value of collectibles - and how childhood memories influence adult bidders at the world's top auctions.

There's always a lot of it about on the collectibles markets. Only earlier this week we reported on an opportunity to own your own turbine-powered Batmobile - apparently the only one of its kind in the world - when it auctions on eBay, next week.

And now another similar opportunity has emerged on the markets; again featuring not one but two cars that, if you're a reader of a certain age, you'll remember from your childhood.

First, from Jay Ohrberg - the designer who also dreamt up Knight Rider's K.I.T.T., the Back to the Future Delorean DMC-12 time machine and both the 1966 and 1989 Batman Batmobiles - is the original 'Pink Panther' car.

 




The iconic Pink Panther car, as featured in the classic '60s cartoon series

The shocking pink car featured in the opening sequence for each episode of 1969's The Pink Panther Show, a cartoon series made due to the popularity of the animated intro sequences to the Pink Panther films starring Peter Sellers as bungling French detective Jacques Clouseau.

Robson Kay will be auctioning the car online - bids are open between September 4 and October 14 - with a pre-sale estimate of up to £100,000 (€113,000 or $162,000).

Unfortunately, the Pink Panther car isn't licensed to be used on public roads - just as well, really, as it looks like it would be a nuisance to park.

But if you're looking for a famous film or TV car that you can show off, then a replica of the iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car is also up for sale in Robson Kay's auction.

 




Not the original but impressive nonetheless: the replica
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang


Like the Batman car one which reported earlier this week, it's not a model used in the original movies - yet wish-fulfilment among bidders could still see the car fetch a pretty penny in Robson Kay's sale.

The 2008 replica has been registered with British authorities under the name 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', and has been created true to the original. Modern updates include a 3.0-liter V6 engine and automatic gearbox.

And that's not all: the car has even been wired up with gizmos so that the lucky bidder can control Chitty's famous accessories, like automatically opening wings, rising propellers and rotating blades, just like in the film.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang carries a £250,000 (€282,500 or $405,000) estimate.

 

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