Ever wondered what happens to famous movie props? The answer, not surprisingly, is that they’re sold off, often for eye-wateringly high sums. Here are the five most expensive movie props ever sold.
James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger – £2.5 million
With a top speed of 145 mph, this is just the car for a stylish Secret Agent to evade capture. The star of the 1964 Bond movie Goldfinger, the iconic DB5 was modified by Aston Martin to include machine guns, rotating number plates and an ejector seat. Sold by RM Auctions, it became the most expensive prop in film history.
Steve McQueen’s 1970 Porsche 911S – £824,521
In 1971, Steve McQueen introduced this stunning vehicle to the world in the blockbuster Le Mans. Again, it was RM Auctions who brought the gavel down on the slate grey racer, which was fitted with previously unseen car accessories. Car interiors were basic back in the 1970’s, but McQueen’s Porsche was fitted with and electronic sunroof, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt radio and tinted windows, all of which were considered cutting edge at that time.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Car – £495,415
According to Dick Van Dyke, it had the turning circle of a tanker but this didn’t stop Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fetching nearly half a million pounds at auction last year. The ‘Gen 11’, as it was known, was designed by Ken Adams, and ended up with a private collector, who must have felt he’d got a bargain: the car fell well below the estimated $1-2 million dollars expected. There were six Gen 11s made in total, and all are now in the hands of private collectors, one of whom is the DJ Chris Evans, who bought it in 2012 from the lucky bidder..
Audrey Hepburn Black Dress – £467,200
Christies sold Audrey Hepburn’s delightful black dress, back in 2006. Hepburn’s good friend Givenchy made the for the 1961 movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Two dresses were made, and one is in currently on display in the Museum of Film in Madrid. A school was built in Calcutta with the proceeds of the sale. The auctioneers had estimated the dress would make between £50-70,000, so they must have been delighted with their commission.
Luke Skywalker Light Saber – £145,850
The public’s passion for Star Wars remains undimmed, and the light sabre wielded by Luke in Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back caused huge excitement when it came up for auction back in 2008. With productions as huge as the Star War series, there are countless movie props on the market at any one time, but Luke’s light sabre is the most sought-after, and the most expensive.
