1972 Reliant Regal Supervan III (Trotters Independent Trading Van)

• Believed to be one of the original half a dozen Reliants from the popular ‘80s sitcom “Only Fools and Horses”
• Owned by John Mansfield of the BBC who also owned the example successfully sold by Silverstone Auctions in 2017
• The subject of some recent recommissioning works in readiness for the auction
• New tyres fitted, brakes overhauled and the fuel system checked through
• Complete with the roof rack, market suitcase, fluffy dice and even an inflatable doll in the back (Episode 2, Series 6 “Danger UXD")  

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 in fact it stood up to the rigours of a long days filming well and could make long-distance journeys to distant locations.

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 some 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 ‘Danger UXD’.

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. ‘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.