Second hand cars have always been used by the film industry, many films have featured vintage cars.  The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine was possibly one of the best ever British films made, but not just for its acting the other stars of the film were the Austin Mini Coopers Mk1’s which also featured in the film, these were the classic British car, and although Mini’s have now been reinvented they can never live up to what they were in their hey day.

James Bond is another many who has had his fair share of ladies and cars.  There have been many Alfa Romeo’s featured in the Bond films.  Octopussy featured a GTV6, The Quantum of Solace an Alfa Romeo 159 and Moonraker a Supercharged straight 8.  The Aston Martin DB5 has featured in 5 James Bond films, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Casino Royle.

But it isn’t just the big named films which has a need for cars programmes such as Only Fools and Horses have also had there fair share of cars.  The most classic was the Reliant Robin with its three wheels.  The Yellow Van became a hit both in the show, and after the show finished, many people have since bought some of the original vans which were used in the show.  The first ever fan however, has never been put up for auction and can be found in the cars for stars museum.  The three wheeler cars and vans never really did take off with the public and there was never a demand for this type of car, hence this is why there aren’t many Robin Reliant’s seen driving about.  However this show certainly made the car popular, just for the idea of a wheeler and dealer driving about in such as car, this is just one aspect of the programme which made the series a hit, and it will continue to be a hit for years after it finished.

The other alternative for the film and television industry to get the cars which they want is to lease them via contract hire for the duration of the film or sitcom.  Behind the cameras of films there is a vast wealth of preparation needed in order for the film to run smoothly and the celebrities and stars to be kept happy.