Famous film car and rare Bugatti going under the hammer

COYS are once again running their famous Italian auction at Padova, in Northern Italy on October 25th, and one of the highlights of the sale is a Ford Thunderbird used in the 1991 cult film Thelma and Louise.

“This is one of the cars used in the film which was shipped to Italy a few years ago having been purchased from the studio after the film was made,” said Gregor Wenner of COYS Italy.

He added: “COYS has a reputation for selling cars that have been in famous movies like the Batmobile that was sold in the UK in 2006. This 1964 Thunderbird is in good condition throughout and is going to receive a lot of attention from movie buffs worldwide." Three Thunderbirds are believed to have been used in the film.

Thelma and Louise is an American road movie, which breaks with tradition by featuring two female leads, Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise. Directed by Ridley Scott, the plot revolves around Thelma and Louise's escape from their troubled home lives and ends when the girls drive their car off a cliff.

The film became an instant critical and commercial success, becoming one of the highest grossing films of 1991, and receiving six Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Original Screenplay. Both Sarandon and Davis were nominated for their roles in the same category.

It is realistically estimated at between €25,000 and €30,000.

The auction will also see an extremely rare 1926 Bugatti T35 A whose first owner was allegedly Sir Malcolm Campbell.

This is a fantastic car which has already created a lot of interest,” said Gregor Wenner “We believe that it was delivered to Sir Malcolm Campbell and we are trying to confirm that at the moment. It is in very good, original and unrestored condition and was first delivered to the UK through J. Lemon Burton, of London, England.” Refer Department.

Some 80 cars are being put under the hammer at the Fiera di Padova, and amongst some of the other interesting cars that will be offered is a 1929 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Landaulet Imperiale by Castagna first delivered to Mr Penn, Vice President of American Tobacco, which later came to be R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. Mr. Penn developed the popular “Lucky Strikes” brand of cigarettes. The Isotta has been meticulously restored; all interior handles are silver plated etc. Refer Department.

Also on offer is a 1928 Lancia Lambda 8th Series Torpedo Lungo, with the Lancia family as its registered owner. The car has been comprehensively restored with a photographic full photographic record and is eligible for the Mille Miglia. The estimated price for this fantastic Lancia is € 130,000 to € 180,000.

Gregor Wenner added: “ We are expecting another fine collection of cars, motorbikes and automobilia from all over Europe which should make this a fantastic sale.”