Registration No: FLY 539
Chassis No: 752482
MOT: Exempt

• Bespoke built in 2018 using authentic pre-war chassis and 6 cylinder, 5 Litre Studebaker engine
• Built to pre-war style specification to match the period setting of the film
• Fully operational bespoke exhaust system
• To be sold with cherished 'FLY 539' registration number
• Fully functioning and roadworthy (although not airworthy)

The 1968 film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring the marvellous Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts is considered to be one of the best loved children's films of all time and has been the catalyst to the interest of many budding Pre-War car enthusiasts. In the film, Caractacus transforms an old jalopy into a magical car which he and his two children overthrow the tyrannical ruler of Vulgaria.

This particular Chitty replica has been a lifelong ambition build for our vendor who first saw the film as a child and dreamt up the idea of building a Chitty replica one day but with a more "period" Veteran car feel to suit the period setting of the film. The vendor is a renowned builder of vintage American cars and as a result has access to a number of parts that were suitable to the build. The car is based on an authentic American-made 1924 chassis (which is registered as a Packard) and is powered by a 5 litre six-cylinder side-valve Studebaker special engine of a similar vintage married to a three-speed manual gearbox. The chassis was converted from left-hand drive by removing the axle and rotating it 180 degrees to move the drag link fore of the wheel centres and then keeping to the measurements of the film car, the chassis was extended by two feet which makes this car very large and imposing!

The overall body design from the film was closely followed during the construction but with some tweaks to improve aesthetics. The attention to detail and authenticity to the 1920s era can be seen throughout the build. For example, the retention of the genuine wooden artillery wheels; originals for the chassis used, the 1909 electric headlights and the 1909 oil-fired sidelights. The braking system is the original ‘2 wheel-only brakes’ with bands on the outside and shoes on the inside. The pedal layout is consistent for the time with the accelerator in the middle, brake on the right and clutch on the left. On this Chitty the highly polished handmade exhaust system is the actual working exhaust for the vehicle and the radiator has been correctly positioned within the radiator surround. The only purposely left unrestored part on the car is an original 1913 Cadillac windscreen glass and frame. The entire project was completed in four months, having been completed in early 2019. The result is a beautiful, large, open tourer. The car is registered as ‘FLY 539’, depicting its originality, respect for a bygone era and more than just a passing connection to a magical flying movie car that the owner dreamt of as a little boy.

Since its build, the car has been extensively shown and prospective bidders may note the appearance of the car at the London Classic Show 2023, the NEC Classic Car Show and various Brooklands events where it has been very positively received and gets its fair share of smiles from young and old alike. We are pleased to say that the car presents very well and when started by the vendor, appeared to fire into life with a pleasing note from the exhaust promptly. The vendor has advised that the car has been used to take his young children out without issue on numerous occasions and should serve a new owner as a working car with ease.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430