If you're a classic car fan and you miss this auction you'll regret it, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
The 1940 Buick Model 81C Phaeton which carried Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to their date with destiny on a tarmac at the end of the classic film Casablanca is up for auction next month. The car served as the backdrop for one the famous scenes in motion picture history.
The Buick will be heading to auction on Nov. 25, part of Bonham's What Dreams Are Made Of auction, which includes everything from actor's originals scripts to costumes and set pieces. The car, which only has 42,000 miles on the odometer, has had some mechanical work on either it's 320.2-cubic inch inline eight cylinder engine and a three speed manual transmission, according to Hemmings Daily.
The cloth top has also been replaced and there is some water damage in the interior. Leave the burn holes in the broadcloth though, as those come compliments of Bogart's smoking habit during filming.
With only 250 ever produced, the 81C Phaeton is already a rare and valuable car without its silver-screen pedigree. Warner Brothers owned the Buick until 1970, when it began passing through private collections and auctions houses. Most recently, the Aztec Brown convertible sold for $211,500 in 1995, well above Christie's $80,000 pre-auction estimate. Bonham's current pre-auction estimate for the Buick's selling price is between $450,000 and $500,000.
Considering classic cars are currently selling at record levels as more buyers see famous and rare autos as investment opportunities, the actual selling price could be much higher.
The 1940 Buick Model 81C Phaeton which carried Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to their date with destiny on a tarmac at the end of the classic film Casablanca is up for auction next month. The car served as the backdrop for one the famous scenes in motion picture history.
The Buick will be heading to auction on Nov. 25, part of Bonham's What Dreams Are Made Of auction, which includes everything from actor's originals scripts to costumes and set pieces. The car, which only has 42,000 miles on the odometer, has had some mechanical work on either it's 320.2-cubic inch inline eight cylinder engine and a three speed manual transmission, according to Hemmings Daily.
The cloth top has also been replaced and there is some water damage in the interior. Leave the burn holes in the broadcloth though, as those come compliments of Bogart's smoking habit during filming.
With only 250 ever produced, the 81C Phaeton is already a rare and valuable car without its silver-screen pedigree. Warner Brothers owned the Buick until 1970, when it began passing through private collections and auctions houses. Most recently, the Aztec Brown convertible sold for $211,500 in 1995, well above Christie's $80,000 pre-auction estimate. Bonham's current pre-auction estimate for the Buick's selling price is between $450,000 and $500,000.
Considering classic cars are currently selling at record levels as more buyers see famous and rare autos as investment opportunities, the actual selling price could be much higher.
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