The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car from the 1968 film is a custom-built, fictional vintage-style vehicle inspired by early 1920s aero-engined racing cars created by Count Louis Zborowski, but it was engineered as a functional road-going prototype for the movie. It features a pre-war aesthetic with an elongated aluminum body, brass fittings, boat-like fenders, and retractable wings for its amphibious and flying capabilities in the story.
Design and Construction
The primary drivable version, known as "Chitty Prime," was constructed in 1967 by Alan Mann Racing in Hertfordshire, England, under the direction of production designer Ken Adam and engineer Rowland Emett. Measuring about 17.5 feet long and weighing around 2 tons, it used a custom ladder-frame chassis with alloy wheels mimicking 1920s timber designs, a red-and-white cedar deck, and period brass lamps. The dashboard incorporated a plate from a World War I British fighter plane for authenticity.
Engine and Performance
Powered by a 3.0-liter Ford Essex V6 engine paired with a BorgWarner automatic transmission, the car was fully street-legal in the UK with the registration GEN 11 (later GEN 1I in New Zealand). This modern powertrain allowed it to reach speeds suitable for film sequences, contrasting with the massive aero engines (like 23-liter Maybach or 27-liter Liberty V12) of Zborowski's real historical cars that inspired the name. Five versions were built for the production, with only one fully operational for driving shots; others handled stunts or effects.
Current Location
The hero car resides at the Dundee Museum of Transport in Scotland, where it has been displayed since acquisition. Replicas, such as one built by Gordon Grant in 2008, have appeared in stage productions and auctions, but the original film vehicle remains a static exhibit.
