The Great Race Hannibal twin 8 (pictures avalaible)

 Old time Classic Movie cars resurface after nearly 40 years of hibernation

The actual Professor Fate Great Race vehicles, accessible to the public for the first time in nearly 4 decades.  Movie history at its best!  Not one, but three vehicles were discovered from the famed Warner Bros. movie, The Great Race with legendary stars Jack Lemmon, Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis.  The Great Race was one of the most expensive and advanced movies of its time.  Its production cost in 1964 was $8 million. These Professor Fate historic icons, till now, had not left the borders of California since their construction in 1964.  After their release from Warner Bros. they became one of the prime attractions at the world famous Movie World museum, in Burbank, where they were on display until the museum closed its doors in the late '70's.  The cars, along with the rest of the Movie World collection, did not see the light of day for nearly 3 decades until 1993 when a portion of the collection was offered for sale at an elite auction and purchased by a Beverly Hills movie car collector for his private collection.  Sixteen years later this rare opportunity presents itself again.  Like Haley's Comet, it is a once in a life time opportunity.  

 

The Hannibal 8, custom built by Warner Bros at a cost of $150,000 ($150,000 in 1964 is equivalent to over $1 million today).  All hand constructed, it is a true work of art.  Powered by a Corvair 6 cyl and 3 speed manual transmission; all 4 rear wheels are powered and chain driven.  It has a cannon that emerges and retracts from the cars bonnet and a functional smoke screen.  The car remains in its original un-restored condition as when it was used on the movie set.  Still fully operational this beauty does actually run and drive!

 

The Rocket Car, this mad scientist creation, believe it or not, is functional.  Special effects include gas nozzles in rockets ends to provide flames for propulsion effects. It rides on rails and is powered by a Corvair 6 cyl but with an automatic transmission.  It is in its original un-restored condition as when it left the film set.  

 

The Torpedo, complete with its screen used trailer!  This torpedo is originally fitted with an electric motor and actually floats!  The rudder turns side to side as does the "hearing apparatus".

 

The trio is currently on display at the Volo Auto Museum, Volo, IL for a limited time and is offered for sale to qualified buyers.  For more information visit volocars.com or call 815-385-3644.  The museum is open to the public seven days a week from 10 - 5.