Sarah Daley Public Relations PO Box 190 Auburn, IN 46706 PH: 260-925-5600 Ext. 256 Fax: 260-925-5467 sarah@kruse.com

Houston, TX - Would you like to own one of the most famous movie cars in history? Whether you want it for yourself, to store in a museum, or to re-sell and double the money that you paid for it, you need to be at the Kruse-Leake Collector Car Auction in Houston, TX at the Reliant Center on December 15 & 16, 2006.

Kruse International and Leake Auctions along with John O'Quinn's Classy Classic Cars, LLC will be auctioning off the world famous celebrity car from the MGM 1968 movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" starring Dick Van Dyke.
In the movie, this winged version was used for stage close ups and transformation scenes, including the flying configuration where the car used its helicopter propellers to escape from the fictional town of Vulgaria®. These helicopter propellers were used only one time as a grand finale to the movie.

Dean Kruse, President and owner of Kruse International states, "These three, stately natured, vehicles are described by the owner as 'The Royal Trifecta.' The 'Queen Wagon' Family Truckster, Princess Diana's Rolls Royce and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are an emotional separation from his proprietorship Chicago West® Mona Lisa's Hideaway® and need to go to a buyer or buyer's who can appreciate his accomplishments and legacy. Furthermore, Kruse said this is one of the most unusual and most desirable cars ever built! The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car was on display in the landmark restaurant attraction know as "Chicago West, Mona Lisa's Hideaway."

Also crossing the block at this year's Houston auction will be Princess Diana's Rolls-Royce, the Family Truckster from the Chevy Chase movie "Vacation," the 1946 Ford Pick-Up used in the movie "Hoosiers," and the 1971 Volkswagen Beetle/Herbie the Love Bug.

View a short video clip here

View photo here

Doors open at the Reliant Center at 9 AM Thursday with the auction beginning at 2 PM Friday December 15 and 9 AM Saturday December 16. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 & under. 100% financing is available through Bank of America. For more information, contact Kruse International at 800-968-4444 or check out our website.