The Reliant Regal

Such has been the popularity of Only Fools And Horses over the years, many things from it have left a mark on British comedy and culture. And none more so than the Trotters' three wheel company vehicle. Often referred to incorrectly as a 'Robin' it is in fact a Reliant Regal Supervan III. Three different vans were used during the long history of the series and yesterday one of them was available to purchase at auction. Experts expected it to raise around £20,000 but the hammer finally came down at £44,227.

The choice of the Regal by the writers of OFAH was a good one, as three wheeled fibreglass vehicles were already considered eccentric. I guess any transit van would have been alright but the sheer sparsity of our little yellow friend added even more to our belief that Del and Rodney were never going to make it big. Whilst their flat could often be seen littered with clobber, the payload of their works van would have been relatively small. But more than enough for the Trotters though goodness knows how many trips would have been needed when shifting stock. The writers kept faithful to the Regal all the way through the series, including the famous scene where Del and Rodney realise they have in fact become millionaires. Such is their joy, the van can be seen rocking from side to side in a busy High Street !! It was great that no attempt was made to replace it with a more practical vehicle at any time. Nor were the Trotters to own cars. All none working activities also required use of the van. The Reliant will forever be associated with the series. As the programme reached iconic status, so too did the van.

There are many famous scenes in which it is featured, including the Batman and Robin sketch. In another episode Rodney is out in it with a girl and gets involved in a chase with joy-riders. The van is seen at full pelt with a terrified Rodney behind the wheel and smoke bellowing from the back. Another well loved story saw it crammed with blow up dolls, with viewers witnessing them inflating through the rear door window. A great gag was the livery on the van itself : '' Trotters Independent Trading Company - New York, Paris, Peckham''.

The price paid at auction is no small amount - but rarely would such a marvellous piece of authentic TV memorabilia become available. Rodney once said 'But Del , its only got three wheels' to which Del jokingly replied ' Exactly Rodders. Think of the money we'll save on tyres'.