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Here's looking at you, Buick. The convertible driven by Humphrey Bogart in the classic movie Casablanca will go under the hammer in November as the star of a memorabilia auction.
The 1940 Buick Model 81C trunkback convertible phaeton was one of just 230 built that year, and still has a desirably low odometer figure of about 42,000 miles (68,000km). The inline eight-cylinder engine was reconditioned -- along with most of the mechanical parts -- in the 1990s, and the brown canvas folding roof was replaced.
However the interior shows water damage marks, and also burns in the cloth upholstery -- rumoured to be from Bogart's ever-present cigarette, so the new owner may decide not have the car reupholstered.
Film house Warner Brothers also used the car in other movies, including High Sierra, but it's Casablanca for which it is best known -- appearing in a supporting role for the iconic "we'll always have Paris" farewell scene at the airport.
Bonhams will put it on the block on November 25 as part of the What Dreams Are Made Of: A Century Movie Magic auction in New York, with an estimate of up to $500,000.
That's a far cry from the millions paid recently for movie cars such as the replica Ferrari from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and the James Bond Lotus Submarine -- bought by Tesla owner Elon Musk. And they didn't even come with Bogart's cigarette scars.
This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott
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