Only Fools And Horses van to be auctioned
- An original Only Fools & Horses three-wheeled yellow van is to be auctioned in March
- The 1972-built Reliant Regal Supervan III was used in filming the iconic sitcom
- Numerous vans were used through the series, with one selling for more than £41,000 in 2017
One of the original vans that appeared in Only Fools And Horses is due to be auctioned.
Silverstone Auctions is due to put the 1972 Reliant Regal Supervan III up for sale on 5th March, in a live auction. Their listing features Del Boy's famous catchphrase "This time next year Rodney, we'll be millionaires!"
The van features the "Trotters Independent Trading Co" and "New York - Paris - Peckham" wording, and comes complete with a roof rack, replica market suitcase, fluffy dice and even an inflatable doll in the back, the latter of which featured in the celebrated episode Danger UXD.
Additionally, the vehicle's interior is lined with faux-fur in a tasteful 80s tiger-stripe print, and the vehicle's keys bear a blue leather 'BBC Television' fob.
Registered JPL 725K, the van has clocked up more than 96,000 miles.
Auctioneers Silverstone say: "Ranking alongside Inspector Morse's Jaguar Mk2 and Jim Bergerac's Triumph Roadster, the Reliant Regal owned by Trotter's Independent Traders - aka Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger brother Rodney - is one of the most readily recognised vehicles on British television.
"The grubby yellow Reliant was one of the stars of the hit TV series Only Fools And Horses, co-starring with David Jason (Del Boy) and Nicholas Lyndhurst (Rodney). Serving as the Trotters' main mode of transport, the van was used to store Trotters Independent Traders' stock and transport the family to several destinations. Its top speed was 55 mph and was often described as a crappy old 3-wheeled van by the cast, although it fact it stood up to the rigours of a long days filming well and could make long-distance journeys to distant locations."
Only Fools And Horses' crew used multiple vans throughout the course of the sitcom, which debuted in 1981 and last aired a full episode in 2003, with some sources citing the creation of up to six vehicles. Further have been recreated by fans in the decades since the comedy first aired.
Currently owned by former BBC employee John Mansfield, he previously owned another of the vans, which was sold by the same auction house in 2017 for a price over £41,000.
Silverstone Auctions explain: "JPL 725K has been with its present keeper for six years, been enjoyed by six previous keepers and during that time has, inevitably, been lightly used. In preparation for the sale, the van has been gone through in terms of recommissioning, including new tyres, the brakes overhauled and the fuel system checked through and is said to drive well (for a three wheeler!)
"The package includes the roof rack complete with the market suitcase, fluffy dice, 'Tax in the Post' sign in the screen and dare we mention it, an inflatable doll in the rear paying homage to one of the most popular episodes.
"The van is accompanied by some BBC-headed paper along with a BBC key tag suggesting that this one of the original vehicles built for the show (there were a number used over the 22-year lifespan of the production), and on offer from the private collection of John Mansfield (BBC), we have no reason to disbelieve this."
The conclude: "Only Fools memorabilia is certainly good news and this van is no exception and is surely a great opportunity to own a slice of British comedy history. Cushtie, you know it makes sense."
Separately, an eBay seller is currently offering the number plate 'DEL 30Y' for £30,000.
It was revealed on Friday that the Fiat 500 used for filming Peter kay sitcom Car Share is on sale in aid of charity.