To create the illusion of speed, you simply employ stripes, right? At least, that’s the lesson we get from a handful of vehicles and film props headed to auction later this month, including an invisible-driver Herbie stunt car and one of Steve McQueen’s racing suits from “Le Mans.”
The Herbie car, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle (chassis 5156863), had its turn in front of the cameras for two different Herbie movies – 1974’s “Herbie Rides Again” and 1977’s “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo” – but not as a star car. Instead, Disney’s studios cut out a rough seat in the floorpan behind the driver’s seat and extended the Beetle’s controls to give the illusion of a self-driving car.
Herbie-spotters, who know the car as Herbie No. 3, have also noted that the car has an odd made-up decklid using sections of at least a couple different 1960s Beetles. Otherwise, it remains largely unmodified and, aside from a new set of decals and restored invisible-driver mechanisms, untouched from its film days. While another authentic Herbie, a counterpart to this one from “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo,” sold for six figures earlier this year, this particular Herbie is expected to sell for $50,000 to $60,000.
Alongside the Beetle yet another “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo” star car – Giselle, the 1976 Lancia Scorpion (chassis number 137AS100051) and Herbie’s love interest – will cross the block. One of three built for the film, this particular Giselle is reportedly the last remaining and has been treated to a recent restoration. The pre-auction estimate ranges from $40,000 to $50,000.
Because it is now obligatory to mention anything Steve McQueen-related that heads to auction, the same sale will include a full Michael Delaney racing suit from McQueen’s “Le Mans.” According to the auction description, the suit – one of three used in the movie – was gifted to a typographer who worked on the “Le Mans” movie posters shortly after filming completed and has remained in that family’s hands ever since. It appears slightly more soiled than the suit that famously sold for nearly $1 million four years ago and comes with a lower pre-auction estimate: $200,000 to $300,000.
Just as Herbie has his Giselle at this auction, the Delaney suit will be accompanied by another “Le Mans” racing suit, this one Michele Scalera’s Vito Scalise Firestone/Gulf suit. Its pre-auction estimate ranges from $5,000 to $7,000.
The Bonhams/TCM Treasures from the Dream Factory auction will take place Monday, November 23, in New york City. For more information, visit Bonhams.com.
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