It may not have the enduring charm of Corporal Jones’ 1935 Ford BB or the allure of Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari 250GT California, but a 1957 Bedford CA van crossing the block at Silverstone Auctions’ 6 March is sure to draw plenty of attention from movie buffs.
The vehicle starred alongside Dame Maggie Smith in the 2015 film ‘The Lady in the Van’, the story of a woman who lived in a Bedford van on Alan Bennett’s driveway for more than 10 years. Featured extensively throughout the film, it even boasts a paint job applied by Maggie Smith – though it’s best to look away if you’re not a fan of ‘patina’. It’s expected to fetch between £9-12,000.
“We’re excited to be offering a piece of British cinema history which, paired with the appeal of the Bedford van to classic collectors, makes for a very exciting and unique opportunity for our customers,” said managing director of Silverstone Auctions Nick Whale.
Despite appearing rough around the edges, the van was the subject of extensive restorative works prior to the start of filming. It now sports rust-free bodywork and a recent engine rebuild, while the three-speed manual transmission and electrics are reported to be in good working order.
