United Kingdom, Feb. 10 -- Dick Van Dyke received a replica of the car featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for his 100th birthday.

The legendary actor - who played widowed inventor Caractacus Potts in the 1968 family favourite - was "blown away" by the special gift, a "stage replica" which came to him via a "friend of a friend", Michael Mulligan.

Dick's wife, Arlene Silver, explained to People magazine: "He played Caractacus Potts in a stage version of Chitty Bang Bang, and he built that car."

During the celebrations for Dick's 100th birthday in December, Arlene had mentioned she was keen to have as many Chitty Bang Bangs in one spot as possible" for the occasion, prompting Michael to bring along his own hand-built version of the car, ...