A remarkable collection of vehicles from Hollywood blockbusters, housed in a Scottish museum, is now believed to be worth a multi-million pound fortune, its owner has revealed.
From Antiques to Automotive Icons
Colin Anderson, 61, who has run the Bo’Ness Motor Museum near Falkirk for 21 years, presides over an impressive array of around 40 famous cars from film and television. His passion for collecting began after he owned an antiques shop in Paisley, Renfrewshire, which first sparked his interest in memorabilia.
The museum, which opened on the site in 2004, attracts roughly 10,000 visitors each year and gained charitable status in 2012. Anderson’s journey into the world of cinematic vehicles started with the purchase of a white Lotus Esprit from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me in the 1990s. "Being an antiques dealer, I liked classic cars," Anderson explained. "We decided to go ahead and collect more."
Star Vehicles and Their Stories
The museum's star attractions are a major draw for fans. They include a fully functional, MGM-authorised replica of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, complete with working wings, a Reliant Robin van from Only Fools and Horses, and a Ford Anglia used in interior shots for the Harry Potter films.
Reflecting on the value, Anderson admitted, "I have no idea how much it is all worth. At auction it would probably be worth a couple of million." The Harry Potter car, in particular, has become a significant pilgrimage site for fans touring Scotland.
Anderson's personal favourite remains the white Lotus Esprit, a centrepiece since the museum's opening. "I like the Roger Moore connection and it is an iconic car," he shared, adding wryly, "It is probably safer in the museum."
A Bond Collection and Unusual Exhibits
Inspired by Sir Roger Moore from childhood, Anderson's collection features numerous Bond props, including a rocket launcher from a Pierce Brosnan film and a dashboard signed by Goldfinger actress Shirley Eaton. However, he mused that the franchise's peak may have passed: "I think the best of the Bond years have passed."
Beyond the mainstream, the museum also houses more eclectic items. These include a Japanese Buddhist hearse, originally a Toyota, which features a model of Gollum from Lord of the Rings inside its gold-vault-like interior. Anderson acquired parts of his collection, including the Only Fools and Horses van, from a friend's museum in the Lake District when it closed.
With many of the vehicles meticulously restored and roadworthy, and with family connections to the acting industry through his three sons, Colin Anderson has built a unique tribute to cinematic history that continues to captivate thousands of visitors annually.
