The working Ford Racing car that starred in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is going up for auction in Los Angeles. Having been stored in Stratford-upon-Avon for over 40 years since its appearance in the 1968 film, the car is now making its way to Los Angeles to be auctioned as part of a series of movie-inspired car auctions over the coming weeks.

The car, which features a Ford 3-litre V6 engine and a World War I fighter plane’s dashboard plate, is expected to sell for around $2million (£1.2 million). The auction is being run by Profiles in History, and owner Joe Maddalena is anticipating a memorable event thanks to the presence of one of Hollywood’s most recognisable cars. He told the BBC: “I think it’s the most recognisable car in the world. This car is the best of the best. It takes your breath away. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a car collector or museum.”

The car will be sought after by a number of museums but, as it is a fully-functioning, road-worthy vehicle, it could just as easily end up on the roads with a member of the public behind the wheel. Should a single car collector or enthusiast take the car home, they can expect to face a struggle to insure the car cheaply, though the car insurance tools available at moneysupermarket.com may be able to shed some light on the best deals available.

Other big screen vehicles going under the hammer include the Mystery Machine from the Scooby Doo movie, currently owned by Hanna Barbera Studios but soon to be on its way to a new owner, and the Slaughter Truck from Batman: The Dark Knight, which starred Christian Bale and Heath Ledger. Movie-loving auction goers will also be able to bid on four vehicles from Fast & Furious 4, the jalopy from Beverley Hillbillies and two military trucks from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.