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Roger Moore's favourite James Bond car hits auction… but the motor used in an iconic chase scene is not an Aston Martin
Douglas Simpson
Published: Invalid Date,
BOND star Roger Moore's favourite James Bond car, seen in iconic chase seen, is due to be auctioned.
It's not a vintage Aston Martin due to sell but a small French hatchback used in the iconic For Your Eyes Only chase scene.
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The tiny Citroen 2CV is currently available for purchase after it was rescued from a French scrapyard.
Six of the little motors were destroyed during the filming of the chase scene.
This is the only one of the six to ever be offered up for sale at auction.
A month long online bidding war has been started for the little car with bids already reaching $120,000 or £89,000.
It's hoped that the motor will fetch a price of about $500,000 or £370,000 by the time bidding closes on July 17.
The iconic chase scene featuring the little 2CV sees Moore jump into the passenger seat of Melina Havelock's (Carole Bouquet) Citroen to escape the gun fire of villain Hector Gonzalez's goons.
In the ensuing chaos of the chase the 2CV ends up flipping onto its roof to avoid a bus.
It's then flipped back onto four wheels by Bond and some helpful locals before fleeing once again.
The small 2CV is eventually rolled down a hill by one of the pursuing Peugeot's, ending up partially crushed before being reversed off towards a sharp turn by 007.
In the iconic chase scene Bond takes the tiny Citroen off-road through olive groves and says the famous line: "I love a drive in the country, don't you?"
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Six bright yellow 2CV's were left damaged in the filming process of the chase scene which sees Bond jump one over the last pursuing Peugeot.
The 2CV up for auction is one of only three to avoid complete destruction.
All three surviving 2CVs received a few dents and scrapes with the model up for auction boasting a missing headlight and a fair few scratches in the paintwork.
The models used for filming were fitted with more powerful engines not available in standard 2CVs.
Standard 2CVs were powered by a 602cc flat-twin engine mustering around 33bhp.
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The six Bond vehicles used in filming featured a larger 1.1-litre engine that was lifted from the Citroën GS.
No roll cage was fitted to the one up for auction as it was used specifically for driving shots with Moore and Bouquet.
Moore gave a Top Gear interview stating the little French hatchback was his favourite Bond car writing later in his memoir about the fun he had driving the small motor.
The three surviving motors were split up after filming with one sold off to a UK collector.
One was taken by Citroen for the firm's private collection and the third, which is now up for auction, was sent to a recycling facility in Paris.
The famous little car was rescued from the scrapyard and sold to its current owner in 2004.
It has been fitted with replacement yellow doors and boot lid, yellow roof, and seats.
The car is being sold for display purposes only and is not considered to be roadworthy.
A certificate of authenticity will be provided to the winning bidder.
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Car Auctions: How To Nab A Bargain
Car auctions are a way to sell vehicles based on a bidding system with the highest offer securing the deal.
Auctions aren't restricted to the rich and famous as thousands of cars are sold at motor auctions in the UK each week.
Here's what you need to know before attending an auction:
Be prepared: Do your research on the car you would like to purchase beforehand.
Check the car: Cars will usually be lined up before the start, so make sure to arrive early to inspect the desired car thoroughly.
Have a back-up: Be ready for disappointment as your desired motor may be sold to someone else and select a few back-ups.
Be realistic: Realise that there won't be a "perfect" car at an auction and adjust expectations accordingly.
Set a budget: It is easy to overspend in the heat of the moment during bidding. Ensure you have set a budget and do not go over it.
Key phrases to look out for:
'No major mechanical faults' – suggests that there shouldn't be any issues with the car's drivetrain, gearbox, suspension, or engine.
'Specified faults' – the auctioneer will read out specific faults.
'Sold as seen' – the vehicle is sold with any problems it may have. The auction company will rarely entertain complaints regarding the mechanical or cosmetic condition of these vehicles after sale.
'Sold with a warranted mileage' - The car is being offered based on the report, which confirms the mileage through an independent check.
