This burgundy 1999 Chevrolet Suburban was the actual vehicle utilized by the main character Tony Soprano, portrayed by actor James Gandolfini, for the first four seasons of the award-winning HBO drama series “The Sopranos.” Only two identical Suburbans were purchased new by Movie Time Cars who provided and maintained vehicles for Soprano Productions Inc. This particular Suburban was utilized for interior-shots enhancing its desirability due to the known presence of approximately a dozen actors and actresses seen in and around the vehicle. The interior has not been detailed or restored since the end of the production in order to retain originality. In addition to being the interior-shot vehicle, this Suburban was utilized in the signature introductory scene of Tony Soprano driving through New Jersey to his home during the beginning opening credits of every episode. Other notable scenes include rescuing Christopher Moltisanti and Paulie Gualtieri from the woods in “Pine Barrens”, the assassination attempt on Tony Soprano in “Isabella”, and driving Salvatore Bonpensiero to be killed after Tony finds out Salvatore is providing the FBI with information in “Fun House”.
Also included with the Suburban is a selection of significant screen-used props and production items. Notable screen-used items include a shirt and sport coat worn by Christopher Moltisanti, FBI photos used to track mob positional rankings, five full menus and the functioning bar tap from Nuovo Vesuvio, the framed Key Largo wall-hanging seen during the explosive scene between Carmela and Tony in “Whitecaps”, and the actual statue of Saint Elzear seen numerous times in “The Ride”. Notable production items include a confidential script of the last episode “Made in America” and twenty blueprints of production sets.
The Suburban includes a letter from the CEO of Movie Time Cars documenting the use of the vehicle in the production of the series. It also includes authorized copies of titles showing ownership history and authenticity. The props and production items include letters of authenticity from a set dresser who worked directly on the show and appears in the credits.
Ownership history of the Suburban includes Movie Time Cars who sold the vehicle to the Automobile Film Club of America followed by two private collectors in Minnesota and Iowa. Subsequent owners after Tony Soprano have been left an autographed message within driver’s side sun visor: “Be Nice To My Car – James Gandolfini”. This is a rare opportunity to not only acquire the most utilized vehicle on “The Sopranos” but to also acquire several props and pieces of television history of an award-winning series surely to become a cult-classic.
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