Dick Van Dyke has been part of some of the most iconic moments in film and television history, but even at 100 years old, he can still be completely surprised.
The Hollywood legend recently celebrated his milestone birthday in unforgettable fashion when he was presented with a hand built replica of the beloved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, and according to his wife, he was absolutely “blown away.”
The replica is a stage version of the magical car from the 1968 children’s classic, which starred Van Dyke as eccentric widowed inventor Caractacus Potts.
In the film, Potts rescues a broken down race car from a scrap heap and transforms it into a fantastical vehicle capable of floating on water and soaring through the skies. For generations of fans, the car became just as iconic as the man who drove it.
Van Dyke’s wife, Arlene Silver, revealed that the nostalgic surprise came about through what she described as “a friend of a friend.” The car was built by Michael Mulligan, who once played Caractacus Potts in a stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Not only did Mulligan portray the character, he also constructed the replica vehicle himself.
Silver explained that she had hoped to gather as many Chitty Bang Bangs in one spot as possible for Van Dyke’s 100th birthday celebration in December. Mulligan brought his carefully crafted version to the party, and it clearly struck an emotional chord.
“He was blown away,” Silver shared, describing Van Dyke’s reaction when he first saw the car.
The replica now sits proudly at the couple’s Malibu home, where it has quickly become a neighborhood attraction. Silver says she loves hearing the reactions from people walking by.
“You’ll hear, ‘Oh my God, is that a Chitty Bang Bang?’” she said, adding that it brings joy whether people realize Van Dyke lives there or not.
For Silver, the car is more than just a prop. It is a symbol. She compared it to the Star Wars Millennium Falcon, explaining that it represents something bigger than the vehicle itself.
“It was just like a symbol of him, Dick, whether he’s there or not,” she said. “It just pulls on the heart strings.”
The 1968 film, based on Ian Fleming’s novel, remains one of Van Dyke’s most cherished roles. Alongside child actors Heather Ripley and Adrian Hall, as well as Sally Ann Howes, Van Dyke helped create a timeless family classic that continues to enchant audiences decades later.
As for the future of the replica, Silver admitted she is not sure where it will ultimately end up. If it were entirely up to her, she would keep it forever.
She has even floated the idea of opening a Dick Van Dyke museum one day, and the car would undoubtedly be a centerpiece.
After a century of magic, laughter and unforgettable performances, it seems only fitting that the man who brought so much joy to audiences would be greeted in his driveway by a piece of his own cinematic history.
Featured image Credit: (Instagram/official_dick_van_dyke)
