Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions Spring Sale features 'Mr Bean'

A film star known as Mr Bean will be one of the star attractions at the forthcoming Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions Spring Sale of historic vehicles, motorcycles, automobilia and railwayana, to be held on the 26th March 2009 at the Gartell Light Railway, Yenston, near Templecombe, Somerset.

Mr Bean is not the character played by Rowan Atkinson, but a Bean 30cwt Dropside historic commercial, built in 1930 and registered for the road in February 1931. Understood to be one of only three survivors, this highly original Bean started its life earning its living hauling coal in Stratford-on-Avon, and was in the same ownership right through to the 1960s.

Whilst in the ownership of BRS in the eighties, this rare vehicle completed the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club London to Brighton Run and made numerous television appearances in The House of Elliott and Brideshead Revisited.

The well-known historic motoring journalist Nick Baldwin was the custodian for many years before passing to the current collector, who has decided now to reduce his 'stable'.

Therefore Mr Bean, as the commercial is affectionately known, has now become available and is expected to sell in the region of £6,000. Included in the sale (and not to be sold separately, which is the norm for DVCA sales) are a number of important spare parts.

Further entries are being accepted for the 2009 Spring Sale.