Who want's to play Steve McQueen?

Also part of this past weekend's Icons of Hollywood auction was the original "Michael Delaney" hero fire suit worn by Steve McQueen in his iconic 1971 film Le Mans. Estimated to sell for $200,000 to $300,000. Bidding went crazy, with a final bid of $800,000, plus a $184,000 buyer premium for a total of $984,000. This may very well be the single most valuable piece of Steve McQueen movie history that isn't a car. And certainly the record for a piece of motorsport memorabilia.  The story goes that the suit was donated The Observer, a British news paper to be given away in a Le Mans contest and was won by a 12 year old boy by the name of Timothy Davies. He sold the suit a number of years later, and probably for a sum no where near this figure.

In August the 1970 Porsche 911S owned and driven by Steve McQueen in the opening sequence of Le Mans set a record sale at $1.375 million dollars.

Source & Photos: Profiles in History.

Genuine Back to the Future DeLorean breaks the bank!

About a month ago Profiles In History, auctioneers of anything and everything celebrity announced that they would be auctioning the one and only screen used DeLorean from the Back to the Future trilogy that is in private hands to highest bidder at their December Icons of Hollywood auction. The DeLorean being offered was used for the final film, and was used extensively when Marty McFly traveled back to 1885. In order for the DeLorean to drive over the rough desert terrain, the running gear was removed and replaced with a custom frame and Volkswagen running gear. As strict warning was given that the electrical system was hacked up because of this, making the car unfit for street use. But in reality, you could make everything function properly. But enough about that. What did it sell for? Pre auction estimates had the DeLorean set between $400,000 and $600,000 dollars.

With an opening bid of $400,000. By the time the hammer fell, the final bid was a mere $440,000. There was a also a $101,200 buyer premium, making the total $541,200 for a one of a kind piece of Hollywood history. And you're certainly going to be the only one on the block with one. If the new owner is out there in cyberspace, PLEASE get in contact with us. We would love to interview you and find out what your plans are.

$500,000 a little too rich? For $30,000 you could have bought Doc's model train and time machine used to show how Doc and Marty would return to 1985. Or how about Doc's wind up Cadillac used to demonstrate how Marty would harness the lightning to travel from 1955 to 1985? That one could have been yours for $18,000. This was just part of the huge collection of props and memorabilia from the film series. And part of the proceeds from the auction of the DeLorean and other film memorabilia and props will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research.




Source & Photos: Profiles in History.

Knight Rider 2008 KITT revealed

All rumors are put down as the official word from NBC on the return of Night Rider are finally announced today. There was speculation that the new KITT was changing bodies from the still cool Pontiac Trans Am to a Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500KR. All of this is true. The new KITT(Knight Industries Three Thousand) will be a Shelby.

The new KITT has a sinister bad ass look to it, just as the highly modified Trans Am did over 20 years ago. KITT will feature 3 distinct versions in the new show. KITT Hero is a 540 Hp powered hero car. KITT Attack is a super high performance version, with likely some body changes to set it apart. And lastly is KITT Remote. A driverless version. KITT's voice unfortunately will not have the gravel tone of William Daniels who voiced the original. This time around KITT's voice will be actor Will Arnett.

The new Knight Rider will debut on February 17th as a 2 hour movie. The cast will include Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison. One saving grace will be a guest appearance by none other than the "Hoff" David Hasselhoff, who will be reprising his role as Michael Knight. Glen A. Larson who wrote pretty much all of the original Knight Rider episodes was on hand to write the TV movie. So everything should have the same feel as the original show. Just a bit different.

Source: NBC

PRESS RELEASE:

UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED

BURBANK, Calif. - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" -- NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) -- NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today.

The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") -- who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series -- returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT.

Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers. NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie.

The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero -- a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack -- a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts -- and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.

As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body -- thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology -- is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car -- and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago -- and that her father is in serious danger.

Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

The name's Martin......Aston...Martin: James Bond will stay with Aston Martin

With the sale of Aston Martin from under the Ford umbrella. There has been some speculation as to what will happen to James Bond's trusty spy car in future movies. Well that has all been laid to rest. Aston Martin has announced today that James Bond(Daniel Craig) will continue to drive his Aston Martin DBS in the next Bond movie.

This continues a long working relationship between the film makers and Aston Martin. The first appearance was in Goldfinger with Sean Connery driving the now famous silver DB5 "With Modifications" as Q was quick to point out. That has led to a half dozen or so Astons driven by agent 007 over the last 40 years.

The working title for the movie is Bond 22, for the 22nd installment in the James Bond series.

Source: Aston Martin.

PRESS RELEASE:

Aston Martin DBS to star in new James Bond film

Gaydon, December 11th 2007: Aston Martin announced today that their new flagship model, the DBS, will once again be driven by James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in the next 007 film to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions, and directed by Marc Forster.

The Aston Martin DBS made its first public appearance in Casino Royale when it smashed its way into the Guinness World Record books for 'The Most Cannon Rolls In A Car'. The record-breaking stunt saw stuntman Adam Kirley taking the helm of Bond's famous Aston Martin. The stunt proved one of the most spectacular in movie history when he rolled the DBS an amazing seven times.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: "Aston Martin is proud of our long association with James Bond. The DBS has its own unique character which equals that of James Bond. It is explosive power in a black tie. It is the perfect car for James Bond as it delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9. It is equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road and we are all very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen again."

BOND 22 (working title) is scheduled for international theatrical release in November 2008.