Mecum Auctions will be offering select cars from the Cinema Vehicles Collection in their upcoming “Original Spring Classic Auction” on May 19th – 23rd in Indianapolis, IN at the State Fair Grounds. Included are cars used in film and television include assets from Iron Man, Knight Rider, Charlie’s Angels, My Name is Earl, Terminator 3, and The Hangover.
Full details about the auction event can be found at www.mecum.com:
To browse lots that are part of the Cinema Vehicles Collection, click the portal below:
Below are photos and descriptions of some of the highlights:
Lot T253 2008 Ford Mustang Knight Rider – Built For The 2008 TV Series Knight Rider
Three versions of the 2008 Mustang were employed in the 2008 series remake of Knight Rider, which featured an impressively high-tech and well-armed transformer car known as KITT: the KITT Hero, a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR; the KITT Attack, a super high-speed version of the GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts, and a KITT Remote, a driverless version of the Hero vehicle. The car offered here is the Attack version, which was conceived by famed car designer Harold Belker and built by Cinema Vehicle Services. One of two built for the Attack role, it incorporates the full gamut of custom features, including the requisite “heart beat hood” lighting, spun aluminum high-speed wheels, special aero bodywork and spoilers, a wild hood treatment and an adjustable rear wing. This wild TV car is one of only two built, the other serving as an attraction at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California.
Highlights:
– This version of the Knight Rider car was referred to as the “Attack” version in the 2008 series remake
– Designed by famed car designer Harold Belker and built by Cinema Vehicle Services
– This is the Hero Attack car which was used for both exterior and interior filming
– Custom lighting and traditional “heart beat hood” lighting as well as positional rear wing are just some of the many features
– Only one of two built. The other is still at Universal Studios a tour attraction
Lot W188 Shelby Cobra Kirkham Body Shell – Built and Used in the Movie, Iron Man
Movie buffs familiar with the 2008 hit movie Iron Man will recall the scene in which industrialist Tony Stark, portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr., first attempts to fly, with unfortunate consequences for his 427 Cobra, which is destroyed when Stark crashes through the roof of his garage full of collector cars. Two mockups using high quality Kirkham aluminum body shells were built for the filming of that scene, in case it had to be shot a second time. One mockup was damaged as planned in the first take, and one survived unused and unscathed. The mockup offered here is the backup car, which was not used in the filming. The valuable Kirkham body remains whole and completely undamaged, and the car will be sold on a bill of sale.
Highlights:
– One of two aluminum-body Kirkham Cobra cars built for movie Iron Man
– Two were built in case of a need to crush a second one
– Backup car, not used in filming
– Car remains whole and completely undamaged
– Sold on bill of sale
Lot W222 1973 Chevrolet El Camino Pickup – Chosen For The Hit Series, My Name is Earl
For fans of the hit television series “My Name Is Earl” there is no mistaking this 1973 Chevrolet El Camino for just any run-of-the-mill piece of road-kill. The car played a ubiquitous role in the series chronicling Earl Hickey’s ongoing efforts to reverse a life of bad karma through good deeds. Like any good American hero, Earl needed a horse, even if metaphorical, and this patched-up pickup with the mismatched door helped see its owner through many of his well-intentioned adventures. Gaily finished in Red with a borrowed Blue driver’s door and primered hood, Earl’s El Camino is a genuine 454 automatic/air vehicle that has always been kept in peak running order, a TV star car that will generate smiles of recognition wherever it goes.
Highlights:
– Star car of the NBC hit series “My Name Is Earl”
– 454 V-8 with automatic transmission
– Real big block air car
– Always well maintained
– Instantly recognizable
Lot T261 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Convertible – 2 of 2 Prepared for the Movie, The Hangover
The 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SE offered here is one of four MB convertibles used in filming the hit movie The Hangover. A wedding gift to the main character from his future father-in-law, the car carried the groom and three friends on a bachelor’s trip to Las Vegas fraught with madness and hilarity. While two of the four cars were subjected to a variety of abuses, this is one of the two built as so-called “Beauty Cars” for scenes depicting it before the characters veered off into the movie’s many misadventures.
Highlights
– One of four Mercedes Benz Cabriolets built and prepared to match for the blockbuster buddy comedy “The Hangover”
– One of two “Beauty Cars” built for filming scenes depicting the car in “pre-damage” condition
– Two other Mercedes were used for the stunt and crash scenes
Thanks to reader Nick for the tip about this event.
Jason DeBord