One of the nation’s favourite four-wheeled film stars is set to come to a Burnham-On-Sea later this month.
The original, road-going Chitty Chitty Bang Bang motor car that featured in the 1968 film of the same name will be the guest of honour at Sanders Garden World from 10am until 4pm on Saturday March 17th.
Garden centre Managing Director, Peter Burks told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This magical car, which has fans from every generation, will be parked up at the garden centre throughout the day for people to see free of charge. There will be an opportunity to chat to the car’s owner Pierre Picton, who also worked on the MGM/United Artists Motion Picture.”
“Chitty fans will be able to enter a free competition at the garden centre during the previous weekend, March 10th and 11th, to win the chance to ride in the car and have their photograph taken with it and Pierre. The winner will receive a complimentary copy of the photograph as part of their prize.”
To take part in the competition people are invited to fill in an entry form at Sanders Garden World reception during garden centre opening hours on March 10th and 11th. The winner will be notified on Monday March 12th and invited to the garden centre on the following Saturday, March 17th.
Chitty was born in June 1967 and was registered with the number plate GEN 11 given to her by Ian Fleming in his book. In the novel, the number plate GEN 11 had significance as it spelt out the Latin word ‘genii’ meaning magical person or being.
Pierre Picton, who will be accompanying the car for the visit to Sanders Garden World, first became involved with Chitty during filming in England in 1967/8. He was responsible for maintaining the car during production and for some ‘double’ driving sequences.
When filming was completed, Pierre then transported and cared for Chitty as she toured the world promoting the film. Some years later, Pierre acquired both GEN11 and the second Chitty built for the film.
