IT IS one of the best-loved children’s films of all time.

Millions of youngsters have been left spellbound by the tale of a magical car that suddenly sprouts wings and flies to Vulgaria, resulting in the overthrow of the evil Baron Bomburst.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes and Lionel Jeffries, was released in 1968 and is often shown on TV.

Now the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the much-loved musical, part of which was filmed on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire.

Exhibits will include one of the six Chittys made for the film, plus the Humber car driven by Truly Scrumptious.

The movie tells the story of a former racing car which ends up in a garage owned by a Mr Coggins. It catches the eye of two children whose father, Caractacus Potts, raises enough money to buy and rebuild the vehicle.

Chitty gives chase after Grandpa Potts is kidnapped by the baron’s henchmen.

Caractacus, Truly and the children fly to Vulgaria, where they defeat the baron and an evil sidekick who imprisons any children he finds. Other characters include a toymaker played by Benny Hill, who lived in Southampton.

The exhibition will feature a replica of Coggins’ Garage, plus a full-size version of Grandpa Potts’s hut, which has been recreated using original drawings from the archive of EON Productions.

Other exhibits will include the dress worn by Sally Anne Howes when Truly dances with Dick Van Dyke during the baron’s birthday celebrations.

The film was based on a 1964 novel by Ian Fleming, better known as the author of the James Bond adventures.

Fleming was inspired by the real-life exploits of Count Louis Zborowski, a colourful racing driver who designed and built four aero-engined racing cars which were named Chitty Bang Bang because of the sound they made when the engine was idling.

The exhaust and leather bonnet strap from the count’s original Chitty will be on display.

Other exhibits will include first edition copies of Fleming’s book, a programme from the film’s world premiere of the film and a solid silver Chitty model bought for producer Cubby Broccoli by his wife Dana.

Visitors will also be able to see a replica Chitty being driven around the award-winning attraction.

A Beaulieu spokesman said: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains as popular today as it ever has been.”

The exhibition opens on October 20.