'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' Banned (Not Roadworthy)

UPI ^ | July 8, 2009

[nickcarraway]

The beloved vintage car from the 1968 movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" can't appear in a British parade because it's not roadworthy, local officials say. The car, with its red and yellow wings, flew children away from danger in the film, but now presents a danger to the public in this weekend's Norwich, England, Street Procession, because it lacks a proper Ministry of Transport inspection certificate, the Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

"The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car does not have a valid MoT certificate and therefore breaches regulations," said Harry Mitchell of the Norfolk Police told the newspaper, adding that he'd be happy to allow the 50-year old car participate if it were placed atop a flatbed truck.

An official with the parade's producer, the Norwich Theatre Royal, said he tried to find a trailer for the car but couldn't locate one in time.

"It just proved too difficult to … get the necessary permission and insure the car despite several weeks of effort," John Bultitude told the Telegraph. "It would have been easier if Chitty really did fly as a pilot's license only takes a minimum of 45 hours to obtain."

[nickcarraway]

[a fool in paradise]

It's 2009 already.

I WANT MY FLYING CAR!

[Hegemony Cricket]

"Never trust a man who makes toys in a land where children are forbidden!"

[Seruzawa]

Ha! In Britain you can’t even get a flatbed truck on short notice. LOL!

[Tanniker Smith]

Oh, sure, were it a Bond car, they’d have no problem, I’d bet.

[Badabing Badablonde]

Well its not supposed to be road worthy.....the damn thing flies...it needs flight inspection.

[Ramius]

Mmmm... Truly Scrumptious...

[50sDad]

Anyone notice funnyman Benny Hill in that movie? Did you know the lovely English girl in Fraizer was a one-time "Benny Hill girl"?

Muuuummmm...debs running to Yakkity Sax...Muuummmm...(drool)

[50sDad]

Anyone notice funnyman Benny Hill in that movie? Did you know the lovely English girl in Fraizer was a one-time "Benny Hill girl"?

Muuuummmm...debs running to Yakkity Sax...Muuummmm...(drool)

[ozzymandus]

So what’s the deal? It is a real antique car or a mock-up made for a movie?

[50sDad]

“Great Britain: Once we ruled all the seas in a world-girdling empire...now we have to settle for being your annoying old nanny.”

[nickcarraway]

flatbed lorry

[GreyFriar]

No turn signals, no catalytic converter, no five mile an hour bumpers, no roll bar, no back up lights, no air bags, no howmany other things that are mandated by nanny government.

[I am Richard Brandon]

The appalling thing is that in these news stories of stupid British situations, the police often make their appearance as over-officious humourless (British spelling), nasty pieces of work. The Britain I used to know was a common sense place with the occasional jumped up Labour (socialist!) Council (local government!) official who just loved his power and authority. It is now a Police State.

[Seruzawa]

You can’t get one of them neither!

[Tanniker Smith]

Are you kidding? In 10th grade it was suddenly cool to admit that you watched the annual showing of C.C.B.B. because suddenly there was Benny Hill!

Well, okay, he'd always been there, but "The Benny Hill Show" was new for us on Channel 9.

[a fool in paradise]

It is a Bond car, of sorts. Same movie producer. Same author.

[a fool in paradise]

He’s also in the original Italian Job.

[a fool in paradise]

Better run it on ethynol, the engine be damned.

[Tanniker Smith]

It’s a Fleming car, yet. It’s a Roald Dahl car, for that matter, as well. The screenplay was written by a guy who knew his candy factories.