Film star van heads to auction

A Bedford CA that starred in the film The Lady in the Van will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions in March.

The 1957 Bedford CA featured in the film alongside Dame Maggie Smith and will be auctioned at the NEC Restoration Show on Sunday, 6 March. It is expected to fetch between £9000 and £12,000.

The van is one of two that were specially prepared and cosmetically distressed for the film to mimic the true story of Mary Shepherd, who lived in a Bedford CA van on playwright Alan Bennett's driveway for more than ten years.

The van featured extensively throughout the film and is even painted by Dame Maggie on camera. It had restoration work before filming, which included an engine rebuild.

Dame Maggie Smith on location with the Bedford CA van.

Silverstone Auctions managing director Nick Whale said, ‘We’re excited to be offering a piece of British cinema history at our sale which - paired with the appeal of the Bedford van to classic collectors - makes for a very exciting and unique opportunity for our customers.’

Having had restoration work before filming (including an engine rebuild), the expected to fetch between £9000 and £12,000. To find out more about the van, visit the website.