It’s been two months since the Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke turned 100. Now, his 54 year-old wife Arlene Silver is revealing the one birthday gift that left Van Dyke “blown away.”
Van Dyke’s Special Birthday Gift
Van Dyke was both shocked and touch to receive a replica of the car that was featured in his classic 1968 children’s movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Silver told People Magazine that the car is “a stage replica” that was given to Van Dyke by “a friend of a friend,” Michael Mulligan.
“He played Caractacus Potts [the character Van Dyke played in the film] in a stage version of Chitty Bang Bang, and he built that car,” Silver explained.
In this beloved film, Van Dyke played Potts, an inventor who is caring for his two children, Jeremy and Jemima. The two kids manage to convince Van Dyke to rescue an old racing car from the scrap yard. He then transforms it into a magical vehicle that can serve as both a boat and an aircraft. The family names the car “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” because of the noise that the vehicle makes.
Van Dyke ‘Blown Away’ By This Car
Prior to Van Dyke’s birthday in December, Silver had said that she “wanted to have as many Chitty Bang Bangs in one spot as possible” for the celebration. That’s why Mulligan decided to bring his own hand-built version of the car to Van Dyke’s birthday party. The present meant the world to both Van Dyke and Silver, who compared it to the Star Wars Millennium Falcon.
“It was just like a symbol of him, Dick, whether he’s there or not,” Silver gushed. “It just pulls on the heart strings, makes middle-aged men cry.'”
Silver went on to say that Van Dyke was “blown away” when he saw the car.
While Silver “would keep it forever” if space allowed, she’s unsure where the vehicle will end up next. For now, it’s been fun for Van Dyke and Silver to see the reactions of others who see the car when passing by their home in Malibu, California.
“I just love having it in our driveway because [you’ll hear], ‘Oh my God, is that a Chitty Bang Bang?’ You know, people just walking by… whether you know Dick lives there or not,” Silver said. “You know, it’s just better here than anywhere else.”
Silver concluded by revealing that she hopes to open a museum dedicated to Van Dyke one day. Here’s hoping that the car ends up there, because that’s exactly where it belongs!
Van Dyke Turns 100
Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13th, 2025. Right before his birthday, Van Dyke spoke out to joke, “I’ve never met anyone else who was 100 so I don’t know how to act.”
“I think of how rare it is that a person gets to do for a living, what they love to do,” he told People. “Most people have to go sit in an office. I never forgot that I look forward to getting up every morning and going to work, because it’s what I would’ve done for nothing. It was such fun.”
Even though he just turned 100, Van Dyke might still have many years yet to come.
“He’s totally with it,” Silver concluded. “I just love that I’m part of this joyful movement.”
Van Dyke is a true living legend, and there will never be another one like him. We’re glad that he was so “blown away” by the incredible replica of his iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.
God bless you, Dick Van Dyke!