BLING: Sir Peter Jackson has been seen driving the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang around Wellington.

Sir Peter Jackson has bought the vintage car made famous in the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and kids throughout New Zealand will soon have the chance to ride in it.

Jackson and his children have been seen riding the classic car around Seatoun, Wellington. A spokesperson for the film director confirmed today that Jackson had purchased the car, but he wouldn't say when it was purchased or how much he paid for it.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a children's movie from 1968, which featured the Pott's family and their car, which could drive, float and fly.

Jackson planned to take the car to future air displays at the Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, where children could ride in it, in return for a donation to charity, his spokesperson said.

The iconic car sold at an auction in May for NZ$987,000, the Daily Mail reported.

It was expected to sell for much more than that, up to NZ$2.4 million.

King of Pop Michael Jackson had reportedly tried to purchase the car for his Neverland Ranch but owner Pierre Picton refused to sell it because he wanted it to remain in the United Kingdom.

The classic car, which the film is named after, had competed in charity races throughout the UK for more than 30 years and had been seen by thousands of fans.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a British musical film based on the only children's book written by James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Caractacus Potts, played by Dick van Dyke, buys the car and invents a story to entertain his children. The car acquires magical powers, floating in the ocean and flying to the land of Vulgaria, whose evil baron has a plan to eliminate all the children in the world.