Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you

by Keith Morgan on Saturday, September 17th, 2016

A stunning reconstruction of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car from the hit children’s movie has been one of the star attractions at the National Motor Museum in the UK this summer.

This reconstruction of one of the most memorable film cars is certainly was set up as a photo op for young families visiting the museum at Beaulieu.

The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction was built by an ardent fan of the classic film and uses some authentic parts from one of the Chittys that was used for filming.

 

 

Several Chittys were built for filming, including one in racing guise which was used for the motorsport sequence in the film’s opening credits. As part of the story, this car was crashed and burst into flames.

Some authentic parts from the wrecked car were used to build the Chitty reconstruction, including three body panels, part of the elegant radiator cowling, one of the headlamps, wheels and leather straps. The boat builder who created the original wooden ‘boat tail’ bodies has also made a new version for this Chitty reconstruction and a V6 engine has been installed to give this stunning machine power.

The car made its eye-catching Beaulieu debut at this year’s Beaulieu Village Fete, when it stylishly delivered Lord Montagu, Eastenders actor Stefan Booth and his son Benjamin for the celebrity opening and ribbon cutting on the lawns of Palace House.

Visitors also got an eyeful of a variety of veteran and vintage vehicles being driven around the grounds by chauffeurs in period costume. Car buffs were also treated to a new Driving Change display, which explores motoring innovations, technology and safety throughout history and makes motoring predictions for the future.

In the World of Top Gear, machines built for the challenges on the TV motoring show are displayed. In On Screen Cars are featured TV and film favourites including the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Mr Bean’s lime green Mini and Wallace and Gromit’s Anti-Pesto Van.

If you have trip to the UK planned, check out www.beaulieu.co.uk.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca