*Chitty Chitty car makes £255,000 at auction.

There were several cars actually made for the 1968 film. This one sold at the Kruse Auction Park in Indiana.

The film was based on a book by Ian Fleming, who wrote it while recovering from a heart attack.

There are two stories as to the origin of the name ‘Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang’ The usual explanation is that it had to do with the sound of the car. However, Fleming later revealed a second meaning from the time when he was in the army. Where he was based, soldiers need a chit, or chitty, signed by an officer, before they could visit the local brothel, so when someone got one they would shout out ‘chitty, chitty, bang bang’

Fleming also has a connection with the world of Art. His mother was Augustus John’s mistress.