Chris Evans buys Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans has bought the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car from the self-titled movie for a rumoured £500,000.

Evans revealed he had bought the car from a Californian individual – a friend of Evans’ – as the private owner’s garage wasn’t large enough to accommodate all 17 feet (5.2 metres) of the vehicle’s monstrous length.

Evans stepped in to purchase the car, offering what his friend paid for it, and has now reportedly sent the cinematic classic from the 1968 film to be restored.

Evans commented at the weekend, “my pal had bought the car on his birthday before he went skiing, not realising she is over 17 feet long. Garage problem. No money lost or gained.

“Chitty is now officially part of the Berkshire Automotive Massive. She is indeed Truly Scrumptious. She’s also gone into the workshop for some much-needed road legalisation.”

The car was the only working example built for the film and features a Ford Racing 3.0-litre V6, a dashboard plate from a WWI British fighter plane, a polished aluminium bonnet, red and white cedar boat deck and brass fittings lifted from Edwardian motor vehicles.

Evans is no stranger to rare and valuable automobiles, however. The radio personality already owns a string of classic Ferraris, including a £12 million Ferrari 250 GTO and a £5 million 250 GT SWB California Spyder, once owned by actor James Coburn.

It appears Evans has succeeded where the King of pop, Michael Jackson never did though, after the music artist once tried – and failed – to buy the vehicle for display at his Neverland ranch.