The 1940 Buick phaeton driven by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca is coming up for auction, according to Hemmings. Insert cheesy movie quote here.
The car will be part of Bonhams "What Dreams Are Made Of: A Century Movie Magic" auction in New York City. It crosses the block November 25.
The Buick in question is a Model 81C trunkback convertible phaeton, reportedly one of just 230 made for the 1940 model year. It currently shows 42,000 miles on the odometer, and was the recipient of a mechanical restoration in the 1990s.
This is a car from a time when no one had heard the words "crossover" or "four-door coupe," but buyers still had plenty of choices when it came to body styles. Yes, Volkswagen, a phaeton is supposed to be a convertible.
Other than a bit of movie magic, buyers will be getting a 320-cubic inch inline-eight engine, three-speed manual transmission, and Aztec Brown paint.
The car was owned by Warner Brothers until 1970, when it was sold to the first of a series of private owners. It last sold in June 1995 for $211,500.
We're not sure what the average Aztec Brown 1940 Buick convertible is selling for these days, but Bonhams estimates it will sell for $450,000 to $500,000.
The Buick will be the sole automotive attraction at the auction, will include movie memorabilia like costumes and props, plus a life cast of Alfred Hitchcock.
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