Like classic cars, movie memorabilia is enjoying growing popularity. The right pieces can fetch staggering prices, and when I saw this beauty, I knew it deserved an article. Short Circuit was a 1986 sci-fi/fantasy movie, and its primary props were a series of robots that performed various roles. The “star” was Number 5, a robot with a mind of his own. The producers used several robots in the part, and one is set to auction in a few days. It is listed here on PropStoreAuction, in London, England. The online auction commences on Thursday, November 3rd. The auction guide price is £120,000 – £160,000.
Short Circuit was released in 1986, starring Steve Guttenberg, Alley Sheedy, Austin Pendleton, GW Bailey, and Fisher Stevens. The story revolves around a collection of robots produced by the fictitious Nova Robotics. The company aims to sell the technology to the defense forces as military hardware. Following a demonstration run for visiting dignitaries, robot Number 5 experiences a massive power surge courtesy of a lightning strike. The surge transforms Number 5 into a sentient being, and the story revolves around him learning about life while also trying to evade people from Nova intent on disassembling him to determine his “malfunction.”
The robot offered in this auction is one of several produced for the movie, each serving a different purpose. The studio used our feature Johnny 5 for closeups of his face and eyes. Therefore, items like his tractor treads are not functional. That makes him a stationary exhibit, but his eyes still illuminate red as they did in the movie. His body is mainly plastic, featuring “decorative” items like wires, relays, fuses, cables, and chains. Mounted to his left shoulder is his primary weapon, a non-functioning laser. He was used during the original Short Circuit production before the studio placed him in storage. The studio reused some of the original robots during the sequel, but not this one. Apart from minor restoration on his head, he remains as he was following the end of filming. He has marks and scratches but is complete.
For those who have never seen Short Circuit, you should do yourself a favor and get hold of a copy. It was never going to win an Academy Award, but it is a feel-good movie that offers a couple of hours of escapism. I won’t spoil the ending, but at one point, Number 5 decides his name is stupid. He ponders this fact, saying, “Number 5 stupid name… want to be Kevin or Dave!” Eventually, he settles on Johnny, thus becoming Johnny 5.
I admit that when I looked at Johnny 5, I wished I had the money to join the bidding. I’m unsure what I would do with him, but it would undoubtedly start some conversations sitting in the corner of my living room. It wouldn’t simply be because of his appearance but because he stands more than 4-foot tall. Movie memorabilia can be an investment risk, and “Johnny” will cost its new owner a pretty penny. However, like some classic cars, rationalizing the purchase of an item like this is impossible. If you had the money, would this be your ultimate piece of garage art?
Come on, isn’t this about finding older interesting cars, trucks??? Johnny Five REALLY!!! Yes a paying member and truly disappointed seeing this.
You could just bypass this offering, Cad. They post multiple cars daily. It’s not like they do this every day. I do like the oddball offering out of left field from time to time.
Could be worse, it could be someones basketball shoes lol. Scroll on by my dude if something doesn’t strike your fancy.
Easier to scroll past than spew negativity
Come on man ditch the negativity, this is more interesting than a GEO eh? Full disclosure I like the GEO’s too lol
Hey I’m with you on this. I wan to see true barn finds, not off the wall stuff like this, or even the perfect cars that are going to BJ/Mecum auctions. But I doubt our opinions will change much!
Technically, this piece qualifies for inclusion in a transportation based website like Barn Finds, as it DOES have treads!
I’d ride it!
Come on, after seeing rotted junk Chevies all the time it is a nice change of pace
For those that have seen the movie – remember when he “Disassembled” the Red Trans Am?? The guy (Boyfriend of Ally Sheedy) was a jerk, but the car…
Every time I have to “disassemble” something in my life, I play the movie line in my head of Johnny 5 reacting to what may happen to him in the future: “Disassemble? No! No disassemble!”
And then I disassemble whatever it is…
In the sequel, doesn’t someone ride Johnny 5? That counts as a vehicle, right? I think I wore out a VHS copy of this movie back in day. Judging from the close-up picture, I think I even know what scenes they used this model for!
I love this! Before I got to the price I was thinking I could talk my wife into having number 5 in the living room.
I’ll admit, a bit different, but it’s why I’m here. BFs is like a box of chocolates,,,Never heard of Johnny 5. Perhaps the release was regional, my first thought was Wall-E, a spinoff of Johnny 5, I bet. Wall-e was one of my favorite movies, and had like 10 words for the whole movie. It, to me, was a chilling look into our earths future, its intent, I’m sure.
I’m actually relieved to see Cadmanis’ remark, I’m not the only Crabby Appleton here. Crabby who?
The first article by Adam with no 1/4 mile times listed !
It has been a while and I could be wrong on this but I think Lotus built some of the parts of the robots. If true then this does have a car tie-in.
Thanks for this tip I would love to have it but I think its going to sell for more than I owe on my house
Wild! But funny never the less. Loved the movie!
Too bad it’s only a static model with a face…..If I wanted a face i’d buy a Mr. “T” mask…LOL….If it was an operating Radio Controlled model itwould be worth the price…
Loved the movie at the time and not sure it would be as good today as back then. Posting an oddity now and then is perfectly fine in my book even though my preference is gears and grease. No different than having nothing by rust buckets or all one brand. Sometimes I read through and sometimes skim past everything. It is what it is and glad we all have different taste or it would get quite boring watch all one color of vehicles or all the same model. Keep up the good work.
But I were wanting one of the Johnny 5 it would have to be a fully functional version not something that sets in the corner and collects dust.
Kind of a nothing movie. Overpriced imho
I’d put an LS in it!