Celebrating The Fringe With TV's Cars of Comedy
It’s nearly time for the UK’s funniest faces to fill the streets of Edinburgh for the annual Fringe Festival.
To celebrate in a way only Vertu could, we’ve been remembering some of the most mirthful motors to grace our TV screens over the years.
From Mr Bean to Hyacinth Bucket (it’s pronounced Bouquet), here are our top cars in comedy.
1. Mr Bean’s 1977 British Leyland MINI 1000
The lime green 1977 British Leyland MINI 1000 in Mr Bean, complete with a matte black bonnet and padlocked driver's door, is as instantly recognisable as the man himself.
It was a willing sidekick in many of Bean’s countless misadventures, from battling drivers for a parking spot, to piloting the car from a chair strapped to its roof.
Rowan Atkinson hilariously recreated the scene at the 2009 Goodwood Revival.
2. Basil Fawlty’s Austin 1300 Countryman Estate
Basil Fawlty’s red 1967 Austin 1100 in Fawlty Towers is best remembered for one furious encounter: when it broke down one too many times and was subjected to a legendary “damn good thrashing” with a tree branch.
Modest, practical, and utterly unglamorous, the car mirrored the simmering frustrations of its owner - always just one mechanical hiccup away from a meltdown.
Its brief but unforgettable appearance in the series distilled the chaos and rage bubbling beneath Fawlty’s forced politeness, making the Austin 1100 an unlikely but perfect comedic accomplice.
3. Del Boy’s Reliant Regal Supervan III
The battered yellow Reliant Regal Supervan III from Only Fools and Horses is one of British television’s most enduring comic icons. With its three wheels, “Trotters Independent Traders” logo, and a constant air of mechanical uncertainty, the van perfectly captured the optimistic desperation of Del Boy and Rodney’s get-rich-quick schemes.
As much a symbol of their underdog spirit as their Peckham flat, the van became a running joke in itself - often seen chugging down London streets or breaking down at the worst possible moment.
Its presence guaranteed laughs, and its silhouette alone is enough to evoke decades of classic British comedy.
4. Peter Kay's Fiat 500L
Peter Kay’s Fiat 500L in Car Share is a more modern addition to the pantheon of comedy cars - a small, practical people carrier turned into a stage for heartfelt laughs and quiet absurdity.
As John and Kayleigh navigate their daily commute, the car becomes a mobile confessional, a karaoke booth, and a crucible for their budding friendship.
Its compact, unremarkable design is the perfect foil for the rich emotional and comedic moments that unfold inside.
5. The Buckets’ Rover 216
Hyacinth and Richard Bucket’s powder-blue Rover 216 in Keeping Up Appearances is the perfect comedic vehicle for a woman desperately trying to climb the social ladder. Immaculately kept and always driven with exaggerated poise, the Rover reflects Hyacinth’s relentless (and usually fruitless) pursuit of middle-class respectability.
Often seen pulling up to impress the neighbours or whisking an unwilling Richard off to another ill-fated social engagement, the car underscores the contrast between her lofty aspirations and mundane reality.
Modest in style but treated like a Rolls-Royce, it’s a quiet punchline in a show built on delusions of grandeur and misplaced snobbery.
Heading to the Fringe? You’ll only be a short drive from our Edinburgh and Dunfermline dealerships. We promise there’s nothing funny about the amazing cars and serious deals we have in stock.