28 February 2007
Wide-boy's wheels clinch the deal
A battered Only Fools and Horses three-wheeler went at auction yesterday for over £40,000. The van was sold by specialist car auctioneer, Coys of Kensington, for more than double its estimated price.
The 1972 Reliant Regal, famed as Del Boy's babe-magnet of choice, was immortalised in an episode when the duo dressed as Batman and Robin and used the car as their 'Batmobile'.
The decrepit yellow car had "Trotters Independent Trading Co, New York, Paris, Peckham" emblazoned on its side, and was used from the sixth series onwards. It was one of three used in the show, and the second model built for the series.
The high price tag comes as no surprise, given the popularity of the cheeky Cockney show. It was voted number one in the 2004 BBC programme Britain's Best Sitcom, beating classics like Dad's Army and Fawlty Towers to claim the top spot.