BBC News | SHOWBIZ | Bond buggy under the hammer

The dune buggy used by James Bond in the film Diamonds Are Forever is expected to fetch up to �200,000 at auction later this month.

The dome-topped space age vehicle driven in the film by Sir Sean Connery is part of a sale of movie and TV-related items going under the hammer on 31 July.

The auction, which also includes items from the Thunderbirds series, will take place in the London and San Francisco branches of Planet Hollywood simultaneously.

The buggy played a key part in the film when Bond jumped into it as he investigated millionaire Willard Whyte's Nevada Desert space centre.

The scene, in which the star was chased by villains, became one of the most famous chase sequences in the Bond films.

Parker from Thunderbirds
Parker: Expected to fetch up to �40,000
But only one buggy was ever built.

It played a key role in marketing the film and was sent around the world to help advertise it.

But after its starring role to plug the film, it fell into disrepair until being located by film fans and restored.

Since being brought back to its former glory in 1993, it has been on display at the Las Vegas branch of the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain.

It is priced at between �150,000 to �200,000.

Puppets

Several items from Gerry Anderson's classic TV shows are also for sale.

An original puppet of Parker, the chauffeur and butler from Thunderbirds, should fetch between �30,000 and �40,000, while a replica of his boss Lady Penelope is expected to go for between �12,000 and �14,000.

Both are from Anderson's personal collection.

And a model of the Stingray submarine made in 1963 and used in the series of the same name is expected to go for between �9,000 and �10,000.


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