The Car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is up for Auction

[Kevy Baby]

And it can be yours for a cool millions bucks

ORIGINAL HERO ROAD-GOING “GEN 11” CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG CAR FROM CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=350458312378&viewitem&_trkparms=clkid%3D8718282297829074648#ht_500wt_118 2)

[Morrigoon]

And a few months from now, it'll sit mouldering in a Burbank garage owned or rented by Jay Leno

[Melonballer]

And a few months from now, it'll sit mouldering in a Burbank garage owned or rented by Jay Leno

Don't count out Paul Allen. He loves movie props and I could see him picking this up for his museum.

[Moonliner]

How did I not know CCBB was an Ian Flemming story?

[Capt Jack]

'million'....one million...and 'reserve not met'....

yeah, kinda out of my league.

[Snowflake]

The eBay listing fees and final value must be pretty spendy.

[Ghoulish Delight]

At least delivery will be easy since it can just be flown to its new owner.

[CoasterMatt]

Meh. I'd rather have Professor Fate's elevator car...

[JWBear]

Meh. I'd rather have Professor Fate's elevator car...

It's a steal for only $350,000! (http://volocars.com/1964-hannibal-8-professor-fate-the-great-race-movie-car-collection-c-1258.htm)

[Moonliner]

Meh. I'd rather have Professor Fate's elevator car...

I'd take Doc Brown's ride.


Note: I mean the train not that unreliable POS.

[Kevy Baby]

And a few months from now, it'll sit mouldering in a Burbank garage owned or rented by Jay LenoI am by no means a Leno Fan Boy, but he has an established history of sharing his cars with others.

[Morrigoon]

And a decent custodian of classic cars. Apparently he's even got a Stanley Steamer. Talk about a classic.

[Moonliner]

Still no bids.

[Snowflake]

Still no bids.

I've esniped.

[lashbear]

No sale - it's relisted. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=350460902447&viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid%3D8959766586622661643)

[RStar]

This car was on the show "Hollywood Treasures", the owner mentioned in the ad took the car in lew of payment. He has cared for it in England all of these years, and it was fun to watch them drive it around.

I think the starting price is way high, and I bet the reserve is about 4 million, way too much for a car that is a prop. Yes, it's the hero prop, and yes it is fully functional (sans flying of course), but it's not a "real" car model, unlike the James Bond car. So it's only interest is to movie fans. And the 007 franchise has more movies and fans than the single production CCBB. If the auction started at $200,000 it might get bids and fetch 1 million, but that's all I think it's worth.

[Kevy Baby]

I think the starting price is way high, and I bet the reserve is about 4 million, way too much for a car that is a prop. Yes, it's the hero prop, and yes it is fully functional (sans flying of course), but it's not a "real" car model, unlike the James Bond car. So it's only interest is to movie fans. And the 007 franchise has more movies and fans than the single production CCBB. If the auction started at $200,000 it might get bids and fetch 1 million, but that's all I think it's worth.The fact that itis not a "real" car and is a true one-of-a-kind, actually makes it more valuable.

However, what someone is willing to pay for it determines what the car is "worth". If it sells for $4 million or $1 million, then that is what it is worth (at least to that person at that point).

[RStar]

Yes, it's true it's a "one of a kind". But those are done in people's garages all of the time. When it comes to cars, however, I don't think that is the sum of its value.

From what I've seen in my limited experience:

1) If the car has an "automotive history", I.E. people remember seeing them on the road, and they have an auto maker lineage; that makes the car more sought after by automotive people. They know what they are getting and are familiar with the make and model, even the factory and workers involved sometimes. It's like knowing a family line.

2) For me personally, the value is completely in it's movie history. It was a hero prop, made for/by a large movie studio for a well known famous film. In fact, it was the star of that movie in a way. Co-star at least! ;)

3) It is in perfect/restored condition and runs perfectly, and can be driven on the road.

It's when you can fit the item in all three categories that makes it more valuable to the purchasing public, as in the James Bond car they are mentioning in the ad. It had some minor unique changes made for the movie that also made it interesting. But Chitty only fits completely in the last two categories (some parts fit in category 1). And auto collector shopping in category 1 would not find it as appealing unless they were also a movie fan. Of course a movie fan would drool all over it!

The "worth" I mentioned is based on these attributes, but one never really know what someone will be willing to pay. This, of course, is a best guess. It's well known that worth or value boils down to what someone is willing to pay, particularly in collectibles. My best guess is that the most anyone will pay for Chitty is about one million. I'd love to see her go for more, to me she is priceless! She has been cared for all these years by the man who took care of her on the set, but now he's willing to part with her and share her with someone else. I hope she goes to a good home and is continued to be well cared for.

And, as a seller of collectibles on eBay, the listing fees alone are pricey at a starting point of 1 million! Yikes! And, I really, really hate the reserved bid setting. I would rather see what a seller wants to get by using the "by it now" feature. I don't want to waste my time bidding on something that has a reserve set so high that it doesn't sell. :mad: