Del Boy’s three-wheeler Reliant Regal – one of TV’s best-loved vehicles – is looking “cushtie” and is up for sale.
The Trotters Independent Traders’ company van, the bright yellow sign-written Regal, will be auctioned not at Peckham market, where Only Fools and Horses was set, but at the NEC in Birmingham on November 11 and 12.
It is one of the more “illustrious” lots in a sale of classic cars organised by Silverstone Auctions.
This Reliant Regal three-wheeler was used in the original series of Only Fools and Horses in 2002 – and re-run regularly on TV to this day.
Del Boy’s three-wheeler spotted filming in Monaco
The car with the registration “BWC 94F’ can clearly be seen in the episode “If they could only see us now” where the car was driven in Monaco-no less, by Del and his brother Rodney, played by Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
It also features extensively in the Only Fools and Horses “Hookie Street” book.
Letters in the history file to the then owner, John Mansfield, from the BBC, also confirm its authenticity.
The car, acquired from a Bonhams auction in 2008, has a reconditioned engine, a full synchromesh gearbox, a remote control key start (which can be operated from up to 50 metres away), a DVD player and cassette radio.
Del Boy’s three-wheeler has smoke effect exhaust
And, for TV comedy value, there is a special smoke machine which belches smoke from the exhaust when a valve is opened on the dashboard.
There is also a ‘tiger skin print interior, rubber mats with Del Boy monica on the driver’s side and Rodney on the passenger side, inflatable dolls fitted which show up in the back window, a suitcase on the roof, and Del’s statement air horns.
Silverstone’s sale notes advise, “disregarding its TV provenance, it’s probably the most reliable example of this ‘marque’ that you will find”.
Del Boy’s three-wheeler won more loyal fans
The car even took part, and won more loyal fans, in the London to Brighton Veterans Car run in 2001 and 2004.
With 71,778 miles recorded, an MOT until June next year and even the original owner’s handbook, this really is “lovely jubbly”. Silverstone Auctions have not entered a reserve on this lot.
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