The 1940 Buick Phaeton driven by Humphrey Bogart in iconic Casablanca is ready for auction. Fhis famous movie Buick will be part of Bonhams “What Dreams Are Made Of: A Century Movie Magic” auction in New York City, scheduled for November 25.
Iconic Casablanca is considered to be one of the most memorable in film history with its famous “We’ll always have Paris” lines at the end. Estimated to fetch as much as $500,000, this famous movie car was in that scene and carried Humphrey Bogart (Rick) and Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) at the airport.
“The car looms large in the final act of Casablanca,” Bonhams said in a statement, noting that the film’s “immortal moments” take place in front of the car.
The light brown Buick has about 42,000 miles on the odometer. It has a 320-cubic inch inline-eight engine, three-speed manual transmission, and Aztec Brown paint. The car has been mechanically restored during early 1990s and is said to be in driving condition. Its original tan interior shows evidence of water damage that will likely need to be addressed by the car’s next owner. There are burns in the custom-ordered broadcloth, too, but these are reportedly “period correct,” from Casablanca star Humphrey Bogart’s perpetual cigarette.
This car is rare enough even without its famous history. Buick only built 230 Model 81C trunkback convertible Phaetons in 1940.
