The instantly recognisable motor was used in the 2001 episode ‘If They Could See Us Now’ of the classic sitcom when Del and Rodney had become millionaires.
The 1968 Reliant Regal van was bought by the BBC who painted it yellow and installed the Trotters Independent Traders sign on it.
It was fitted with a tiger skin print interior which reflected David Jason’s wheeler-dealer character’s wealthy status at the time.
After filming was finished the motor was bought by an Only Fools and Horses superfan who sold it at the weekend.
Although there was no reserve price for it, auctioneers had expected it to sell for no more than £20,000.
But after frantic bidding the hammer fell on a price of £37,000.
With fees added on the price paid by the anonymous buyer was £41,625.
A spokesman for Silverstone Auctions of Warwickshire, said: “I think most people thought it would settle around the £15,000 mark so the amount it sold for was fantastic. You could say it was cushty.
“The vendor was delighted with the outcome.”
Several yellow three wheeled vans were used for the recording of Only Fools and Horses over the 22 years it ran on the BBC.
The one that has sold has 71,778 miles on the clock, an MOT until June 2018, and even an original owners’ logbook.
The vendor has installed several Del Boy-related props in the motor ahead of the sale.
These included fluffy dice on the mirror, two inflatable dolls in the back and a ‘tax in post’ note on the windscreen.
The van also has a smoke machine prop which emits black smoke from the exhaust when a valve is opened on.
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
