An original Reliant three-wheeled van used in the iconic British comedy series Only Fools and Horses is set to go under the hammer for the third time in as many years - and even Del Boy might find it difficult to turn down an opportunity to get it at a steal of a price.
The instantly recognisable Regal Supervan III dates back to 1972. It was bought by the BBC when the classic comedy began in 1981 and is one of a fleet of six used during filming of the popular hit show during its 22-year spell on our televisions.
When it goes under the hammer at a Classic Car Auctions sale in Warwickshire on 28 September, it will be its third appearance this car has made at the block since 2021.
A 'Cushy' Deal on a Collectable Piece of TV Memorabilia
The Reliant Regal Supervan III is believed to have been used in the first two series of the hit show. It was bought by the BBC when the classic comedy began in 1981
It is not known which specific episodes the three-wheeled van featured but is thought to have been used during the first two series, which included the famous 'chandelier' episode A Touch of Glass, which originally aired in 1982.
It was previously owned by the late BBC director John Mansfield, who was the keeper of more than one of the six original Regal Supervan IIIs from the series.
He also successfully sold another of the vans via Silverstone Auctions (now Iconic Auctioneers) in 2017, which is thought to be the priciest of them all when it changed hands for £41,625 some seven years ago.
Its top speed - when used during filming - was a mere 55mph and it was often described as a 'crappy old three-wheeled van' by the cast.
But despite regularly being the butt of jokes, the van proved to be incredibly reliable. It is said to have coped commendably with the rigours of long filming days.
Crew members were even able to drive it long distances when shooting away on location.
The Van's Journey Through Time
When the show ended after the Christmas special in 2003, the van was sold off to a collector.
Between 2015 and 2021, it was retained by an enthusiast before being offered to the highest bidder, selling at a Silverstone Auctions sale for a 'cushty' £36,000.
And it wasn't long before it was back in the auction room again, with the Reliant Regal Supervan III listed with CCA last summer.
While it showed as selling for an undisclosed fee, This is Money has learnt that price was just over £19,000 - almost half what the previous keeper paid for it two years prior, making a loss in the region of 45 per cent.
The auction house believes it will sell for a price between £15,000 and £18,000, which is a fraction of the £36,000 paid at auction in 2021 (seen here on the Iconic Auctioneers website, which is formerly Silverstone Auctions and a sister company of CCA)
A Piece of British Comedy History
It comes as it was when used for filming, with the roof rack, market-trader suitcase, fluffy dice and even an inflatable sex doll in the back as seen in Series 6, Episode 2, Danger UXD.
It still retains the 'Tax in Post' sign in the windscreen and Del Boy's favoured tiger-print interior.
The Trotters van ranks alongside the likes of Inspector Morse's Jaguar Mk2 and Jim Bergerac's Triumph Roadster as one of the most readily recognised vehicles on British television.
A spokesperson for CCA told us: 'Only Fools and Horses remains in the hearts of so many of us with the stage musical drawing record audiences to this day and due to go on tour nationwide very soon.
'Memorabilia from the original show is certainly good news [for sellers and collectors alike] and this van is no exception and is surely a great opportunity to own a slice of British Comedy History.'
