Original reconstructed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lands at Riverside Museum
An original reconstructed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be on show alongside a host of other illustrious automobiles at the Riverside Museum!
Article Source: Glasgow Museums
Last Updated: 23 September 2016 13:46
Movie and musical aficionados are set to have a truly scrumptious time when one of the completely restored, original cars from the hit fantasy adventure Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lands at Riverside Museum, Glasgow. The magical car from Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel was brought to life in Ken Hughes 1968 film. Ever since it has retained a special place in many people’s treasured childhood memories, reminiscent of a time when floating and flying automobiles seemed entirely believable.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been painstakingly reconstructed and will be on show alongside a host of other illustrious automobiles displayed on Riverside’s Wall of Cars. The unique, delightfully colourful car was one of six built in 1967 for a starring role in the British musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It featured the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, played by Dick Van Dyke, alongside other stars including Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious, Lionel Jeffries as the wonderfully odd grandpa and Robert Helpmann as the unforgettable main antagonist, the evil Childcatcher.
The car now belongs to Gordon Grant who has loaned it to Riverside until early 2017.
Gordon Grant, owner of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, said: “I am delighted to bring Chitty to Glasgow. Riverside provides a stunning backdrop for this spectacular car and I think she will feel right at home in Scotland’s museum of transport. I hope all those people, young and old, for whom Chitty holds a precious place in their heart, will come and meet her.
“In the process we hope to raise awareness of and some precious funds for Strathcarron Hospice, a place that means a great deal to my family. Strathcarron offers specialist care for people with illnesses that cannot be cured. They need in excess of £10,000 every day from fundraising and donations to continue providing the wonderful care so many treasure at a very difficult time.
“My very good friend Mary Mackay spent some time at there. She would have been celebrating her birthday on Monday. Like Chitty she brought joy wherever she went, so I think it’s appropriate Chitty goes on show at Riverside to mark the occasion and raise awareness of Strathcarron.”
Millie Watson and Gregor Selkirk from the Vivace Theatre School in Glasgow dressed up as Jeremy and Jemima Potts. They were joined by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang owner Gordon Grant to welcome the magical car into Riverside Museum. Gregor will be on stage when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the Musical comes to The Kings in October.
Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham, said: “We are very grateful to Gordon for bringing this truly iconic car to Riverside. We’ve just enjoyed the hugely successful Festival of Wheels and this is a wonderful way to carry on enjoying the often whimsical world of travel and transport that Riverside was built to celebrate. She will be in wonderful company, alongside Glasgow’s world-class Transport and Technology collection.
“I vividly remember marvelling at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a child, wishing I could travel in such style and then reliving it all over again with my own children. I hope lots of people will come to Riverside and take the opportunity to meet this magical car.”
For the film six cars were created, including a fully functional road-going car with UK registration GEN 11. This car was designed by the film's production designer Ken Adam, and cartoonist and sculptor Frederick Rowland Emett and built by Alan Mann Racing in Hertfordshire in 1967. It was fitted with a Ford 3000 V6 engine and automatic transmission and allocated a genuine UK registration.
It was privately owned by Pierre Picton of Stratford-upon-Avon from the early 1970s until May 2011, when it was offered at auction by a California-based auction house and sold for $805,000 to New Zealand film director Sir Peter Jackson, who now uses it as a fund-raising vehicle.
Five other car props were built by the studio: a second, smaller road-going version; a transforming car; a hover-car; a flying car; and an engineless version for trailer work. Most had engines added after filming was complete and were used to promote the film throughout the world. The second road version, which appears in 12 seconds of the movie, is on display at the Dezer Car Museum in North Miami, Florida. The final road version, which is the one which will be on display at Riverside Museum, Glasgow, is privately owned by Gordon Grant and was recently on display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England.
It started as number 3 racing car, which crashes at the start of the film. The car has been painstakingly reconstructed by W G Grant, who has worked tirelessly to rebuild the car using the original components from the number 3 racing car. They were assisted by Lionel Whitehead, chief engineer of Allan Mann racing, chassis engineer Neil Spencer, electrician Russ of Solex Electrical Southhampton, family friend Ross and Gordon’s father, Gordon Grant Senior, on mechanics and engine.
The multi-award winning Riverside Museum is free to enter. It shows off the breadth of Glasgow’s world-class travel and transport collection through its multidisciplinary story displays. Highlights include a 1900 recreated Glasgow street with shops, pub and subway station and a huge transport collection featuring some of the world’s oldest and finest cars, bikes, ship models, locomotives and trams.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces 2025 Glasgow Film Festival line up
FrightFest, the UK's top horror film festival, returns to Glasgow Film Festival for its 20th year. Expect terrifying world premieres, short films and more all at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre!
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
David Hayman leads fresh new production of Death Of A Salesman at The Pavilion Theatre
One of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman explodes onto the stage in this fresh new production led by acclaimed actor David Hayman.
READ MORE
Tron Theatre presents a modern take on A View From The Bridge
Tron Theatre Company is delighted to be presenting the award-winning play A View From The Bridge written by American playwright Arthur Miller.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Eat Happy returns to itison
itison's annual Eat Happy promotion is back with more than 100 of Scotland's best loved venues taking part including Sloans bringing back its unbelievable mac and cheese deal for only £2!
READ MORE
Extra_Ordinary new restaurant to open in Finnieston
A new pan-Asian powerhouse that seamlessly blends Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines will open this month in Glasgow Finnieston.
READ MORE
Govan group Dates N Mates awarded Asda Foundation Grant
Asda’s charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £400 to Scotland's friendship charity run by and for adults with learning disabilities.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
New fund invites Glasgow community groups to roll out wheelie good ideas encouraging local participation in physical activity
Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for support from a new fund designed to increase public participation in cycling and wheeled urban sports.
READ MORE
The reels on the bus
Innis & Gunn celebrated Celtic Connections, which kicks off this week, with a 'jig on, jig off' bus tour featuring trad band Gnoss which started and ended at different taprooms.
READ MORE
Sci Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition opening at Riverside Museum
Glasgow's Riverside Museum is giving visitors a chance to step into a galaxy far, far away and experience the magic of the world’s favourite space saga.
READ MORE
The Quay raises thousands in 2024 for local charities
Staff from the multi award-winning entertainment complex in the Southside of Glasgow ended 2024 by supporting nine charities throughout the year and raising £8650 for a range of wonderful causes.
READ MORE
Silverburn announces record breaking footfall in 2024 with new retail and leisure additions to boost 2025 growth
Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has announced a record-breaking year, surpassing its previous record year in 2023 by 42,000 visitors.
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces biggest programme for 2025
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has unveiled the line up for the 2025 festival, which will be its biggest ever event, with over 550 shows taking place in venues across the city!
READ MORE
BrewDog launches brand new Touchdown Lager ahead of big game watch parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh
BrewDog, is partnering with Tesco to launch a brand new grid-iron inspired Wingman Lager. If only there was a massive game coming up that it could tie-in perfectly with...
READ MORE
Brace yourselves, burger lovers... Veganuary just got an upgrade!
Veganuary is well and truly underway and Fat Hippo's BurgerLab has been cooking up a limited-edition vegan masterpiece that proves going vegan doesn't mean skimping on the good stuff!
READ MORE
Glasgow counts down to premier winter festival Celtic Connections 2025
Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, is counting down to hosting the premier winter festival Celtic Connections, in partnership with Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Calling all Gingers!
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a free ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 12th January!
READ MORE
Announcing the Shish Mahal SauceOff Festival, coming to Glasgow this Summer
In celebration of their rich heritage and the vibrant hot sauce culture that has emerged globally, Shish Mahal is thrilled to announce the inaugural Shish Mahal SauceOff Festival, coming in Summer!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries breaks fundraising record for Childrens Hospital Charity for second year running
The centre, which launched a series of festive fundraising initiatives in collaboration with the charity, raised more than £75K, surpassing last year's total by £17K.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Glasgow Mat Pilates Studio looks to add NEW Classes to bring people together
Move Train Eat is set to grow its timetable in 2025 with the aim of helping people move better and connect with like-minded people, as they enter new phases of life.
READ MORE
Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well
Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links