A 1972 Reliant Regal Supervan III, one of six vehicles used in the filming of the beloved British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, is about to go up for auction for the third time in three years. Originally purchased by the BBC in 1981, this van played a key role in the show's early seasons and is best known for its starring appearance in the classic episode A Touch of Glass.
The van will be auctioned by Classic Car Auctions in Warwickshire on September 28, marking its third appearance since 2021. Previously sold for £36,000, the guide price this time is significantly lower—less than half the amount from three years ago.
It's unclear exactly which episodes this particular van appeared in, though it’s believed to have been used in the first two seasons, which aired in the early 1980s. At the time, it belonged to the late John Mansfield, a former BBC director who owned several of the show's original Regal Supervans.
While the van’s top speed was a modest 55mph, it was an integral part of the series’ charm, frequently joked about by the cast as a “crappy old three-wheeler.” Despite its frequent mockery, the vehicle was remarkably reliable, enduring long filming days and even lengthy drives to off-site locations.
Following the end of Only Fools and Horses in 2003, the van changed hands several times, including being sold at Silverstone Auctions in 2021 for £36,000. It returned to auction last summer, selling for just over £19,000, a significant drop from its previous price.
This time, the van’s estimated value is between £15,000 and £18,000. If sold at the lower estimate, it would represent a 58% decline in value in just three years.
The vehicle still features its scuffed paintwork, “New York, Paris, Peckham” and “Trotters Independent Traders” logos, and the famous tiger-print interior from the show. It even retains props like the roof rack, market-trader suitcase, and the inflatable sex doll from Series 6, Episode 2 (Danger UXD). With 97,000 miles on the odometer and recent mechanical updates—including new tyres, overhauled brakes, and a refreshed fuel system—it’s ready for a new owner.
This van is considered one of the most iconic vehicles in British TV history, standing alongside cars like Inspector Morse’s Jaguar Mk2 and Jim Bergerac’s Triumph Roadster. According to a spokesperson for Classic Car Auctions, Only Fools and Horses remains a cherished part of British culture, and memorabilia from the show—like this van—offers fans the chance to own a piece of comedy history.
