One of original Reliant Rebel Supervans used in Only Fools and Horses sells for £36k at auction

Lovely jubbly! One of original three-wheeled Reliant Rebel Supervans used in Only Fools and Horses – complete with fluffy dice and ‘Tax in the Post’ sign – sells for £36k at auction

  • One of the original three-wheeled Reliant Rebel Supervan IIIs used in Only Fools and Horses sells for £36,000
  • Silverstone Auctions of Ashorne, Warwickshire, sold the vehicle, which was one of the six original vans
  • Not known which specific episodes it featured in but is thought to have been used during the first two series
  • Included was a fluffy dice, a ‘Tax in Post’ sign in windscreen, and roof rack holding market trader’s suitcase 
  • When speaking to the buyer, the auctioneers told the van’s new owner: ‘Cushtie, you know it makes sense’ 

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A slice of British sitcom royalty has been purchased at auction after one of the original three-wheeled vans used in Only Fools and Horses sold for £36,000.

The instantly recognisable Reliant Rebel Supervan III, which dates back to 1972, was bought by the BBC when the classic comedy began in 1981 and was one of just six used during the 22 years the show ran for.

After Only Fools and Horses ended following the Christmas special in 2003, the van was sold off and it has spent the last six years with an enthusiast.

It has now sold for £36,000, including auction fees, at Silverstone Auctions of Ashorne, Warwickshire, where it was bought by an Only Fools aficionado.

A slice of British sitcom royalty has been purchased at auction after one of the original three-wheeled vans (pictured) used in Only Fools and Horses for £36,000

The instantly recognisable Reliant Rebel Supervan III, which dates back to 1972, was bought by the BBC when the classic comedy began in 1981 and was one of just six used during the 22 years the show ran for

The instantly recognisable Reliant Rebel Supervan III, which dates back to 1972, was bought by the BBC when the classic comedy began in 1981 and was one of just six used during the 22 years the show ran for

It has now sold for £36,000, including auction fees, at Silverstone Auctions of Ashorne, Warwickshire, where it was bought by an Only Fools aficionado

It has now sold for £36,000, including auction fees, at Silverstone Auctions of Ashorne, Warwickshire, where it was bought by an Only Fools aficionado

Gary Dunne, sales manager at Silverstone Auctions, said: ‘This is one of half a dozen original Reliants that featured over the 22-year span of Only Fools and Horses, and the second in which we have had the honour of selling.

‘It has gone under the hammer in our first sale of 2021 and was certainly one of the star cars in the sale.

‘It was a great opportunity to own a slice of British comedy history.

‘Our message to the buyer was very much: Cushtie, you know it makes sense.’

It is not known which specific episodes it featured in but is thought to have used during the first two series which included the famous ‘chandelier’ episode.

The van is the second in the original fleet of six vehicles that the Warwickshire-based auctioneers has sold since the show finished in 2003

The van is the second in the original fleet of six vehicles that the Warwickshire-based auctioneers has sold since the show finished in 2003

It is not known which specific episodes it featured in but is thought to have used during the first two series which included the famous 'chandelier' episode

It is not known which specific episodes it featured in but is thought to have used during the first two series which included the famous ‘chandelier’ episode

Only Fools and Horses ran for 22 years and six of the famous vans were used throughout the creation of the show. Pictured: David Jason (left), Nicholas Lyndhurst (middle) and Lennard Pearce (right)

Only Fools and Horses ran for 22 years and six of the famous vans were used throughout the creation of the show. Pictured: David Jason (left), Nicholas Lyndhurst (middle) and Lennard Pearce (right)

Its bodywork has been painted to appear scuffed and its has the words ‘Paris, New York, Peckham’ and ‘Trotters Independent Traders’ emblazoned on the side.

Included in the sale was a roof rack, holding a market traders’ suitcase, fluffy dice, and a ‘Tax in the Post’ sign in the windscreen.

There is also an inflatable doll in the boot, paying homage to one of the most popular episodes ‘Danger UXD’.

Despite regularly being the butt of jokes, the van proved to be incredibly reliable, surviving the rigours of long filming days.

Crew members were even able to drive it long distances when shooting away on location.

A BBC key tag

Some of the control switches inside the vehicle

When the show ended after the Christmas special in 2003, the van was sold off and it has spent the last six years with an enthusiast. Pictured: The van is accompanied by a BBC key tag (left) and some of the vehicle’s control switches (right)

Included in the sale was a roof rack, holding a market traders' suitcase, fluffy dice, and a 'Tax in the Post' sign in the windscreen

Included in the sale was a roof rack, holding a market traders’ suitcase, fluffy dice, and a ‘Tax in the Post’ sign in the windscreen

Despite regularly being the butt of jokes, the van proved to be incredibly reliable, surviving the rigours of long filming days. Pictured: Del Boy and Rodney Trotter, played by David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst

Despite regularly being the butt of jokes, the van proved to be incredibly reliable, surviving the rigours of long filming days. Pictured: Del Boy and Rodney Trotter, played by David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst