With the auction of the Rolls-Royce used on ITV’s comedy drama The Darling Buds of May, a piece of British television history from the nineties is up for grabs.
The car, a 20hp Park Ward Larlette finished in a beautiful shade of yellow, was beloved by David Jason, who played Pop Larkin in the series from 1991 to93. This gave Catherine Zeta-Jones a breakthrough TV role as Mariette, the eldest child.
It is interesting that the car was put up for auction right as the show’s revival begins as the Larkins. Bradley Walsh plays Pop.
The Roller last changed hands in 2019 for £100,000, though the estimate placed by H&H Classics for its appearance at the Imperial War Museum auction on 17 November is far lower, between £50,000 and £70,000.
This iconic TV show from the Nineties: The 1926 Rolls-Royce featured heavily in comedy drama series The Darling Buds of May. It will be up for auction in Birmingham next year
The nineties’ hit TV series, ‘The Darling Buds of May’, was a success. The Larkin Family: Back: L.R. Stephanie Ralph and Pam Ferris, David Jason, and Catherine Zeta Jones. Front: L.R Ross Marriott, The Twins, Christina Giles and Katherine Giles. Philip Franks and Abigail Rokison.
The auction house describes it as ‘arguably one of the most beloved UK TV car characters ever’, which is why the vehicle has changed hands for six-figure sums of £100,000 on its two most recent occasions.
It will be given an MOT certificate that is valid up to 5 May 2022 when it goes to the Duxford museum in Cambridgeshire.
The 20HP was introduced for the first time in 1922.
It was considered the second string to the Rolls-Royce bow at the time – a shorter, more economical sibling to the Silver Ghost which broadened the marque’s reach to span both the very rich and seriously wealthy.
It was built on a ladder-frame chassis with power coming from a 3,127cc straight-six-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed manual gearbox.
The Roller has a leaf-spring suspension with brakes only on the rear wheels and ‘worm & nut’ steering.
The vintage motor was described by the auction house as “arguably one the most beloved UK TV characters ever”
The 1926 model is powered by a 3.1-litre six-cylinder motor mated to a 3-speed gearbox
It will be given an MOT certificate valid up to 5 May 2022 when it is placed on the block at Duxford museum in Cambridgeshire.
Pop Larkin loved the car, a 20hp Park Ward Landaulette finished with a stunning shade yellow.
This example was purchased new by a dealer in Nottingham on 20 August 1926. It was equipped with chassis GUK71 featuring Landaulette coachwork from Park Ward. It was high varnished in Purple Blue and matched blue upholstery.
It remained in the original keeper’s possession for 10 years, before being purchased by a second owner, who kept it for nearly another 20 years.
In 1955, the car was sold to a Richard Edward Derington Fenning of the Royal Hotel, Ashby-de-la-Zouch who retained it for 38 years – in which time registration ‘RA 333’ would become arguably the most famous 20hp in existence thanks to its role in the TV series.
The famed TV car last changed hands in 2019 for a sum of £100,000. The previous sale price was also £100k, according to the vendor
David Jason as Pop Larkin in ‘The Darling Buds of May’ TV programme, pictured in 1991
The Darling Buds of May ran between 1991 and 1993. It was the show that gave Catherine Zeta Jones her first TV role as Mariette, the eldest daughter.
The 20HP was introduced for the first time in 1922. Its horizontal radiator shutters instantly distinguish it from other models.
The Roller was last changed in hanging two years ago. Since then, it has been stored in a “carcoon” – a dehumidified area – where it has been carefully maintained.
A comprehensive folder containing rare documents is included with the vehicle. It includes the original order confirmation letter and bill of sale, as well as the specification sheet from 1926.
These include copies of pre-delivery inspections, the original logbook, the original guarantee, and an instruction manual.
When launched in 1992, the 20HP was considered the second string to the Rolls-Royce bow at the time – a shorter, more economical sibling to the Silver Ghost which broadened the marque’s reach to span both the very rich and seriously wealthy
It was built on a ladder-frame chassis with power coming from a 3,127cc straight-six-cylinder engine
The Roller has a leaf-spring suspension with brakes on the rear wheels only, and ‘worm & nut’ steering
Other documents include invoices and MOTs, including a printed summary post-1992 of maintenance, and photographs and press related the hit television series.
The Darling Buds of May broadcast between 7 April 1991 to 4 April 1993.
The six first episodes of Series 1 as well as the two first of Series 2 are adaptations from the 1958 novel of that name and three of its sequels, by H.E. Bates. The remaining episodes follow the same format but have original storylines.
David Jason portrays Pop Larkin, Rachel Bell portrays Edith Pilchester in Rolls Royce Darling Buds of May’ TV 1991
“The Darling Buds Of May” TV Filming a Scene on Location with the Car – Registration RA333 – At the Heart of the Footage
The show was set in rural 1950s Kent and followed the life of the Larkin family, with Pam Ferris playing Ma Larkin alongside David Jason
This example was delivered new by a Nottingham dealer on 20 Aug 1926. It had chassis GUK-71 featuring Landaulette Coachwork by Park Ward. It was finished high varnished with Purple Blue with fine white lines and matching blue upholstery
The series is set in rural Kent of 1950s Kent. It follows the lives of the Larkin family.
Pam Ferris played Ma Larkin with Jason and Zeta Jones – the latter marrying Cedric ‘Charley ‘Charlton, played Phillip Franks.
David Jason stated that the message of this show was the exact same as Only Fools and Horses (1981), which is that it is important to focus on what happens at home and with family.
Just four days after the Mini Moke in the cult sixties series, the Prisoner, the car will be up for sale at the Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale.
In 1955, the car was sold to a Richard Edward Derington Fenning of the Royal Hotel, Ashby-de-la-Zouch who retained it for 38 years – in which time registration ‘RA 333’ would become arguably the most famous 20hp in existence with its role in the TV series
A comprehensive folder contains rare documents such as the original order confirmation, bill of sales, and specification sheet, which are included with the vehicle.
All Rolls-Royce cars, old and new, feature the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy on their bonnets
The sale includes pre-delivery inspections, copies of the original logbook, a copy the original guarantee, instruction manual, original guarantee and original guarantee, prior MOTs and invoices, including a printed summary post-1992 of maintenance, and photographs and press related to the hit television series.
MOTORING – SAVE MONEY
