This Commer van is the original vehicle provided by Dream Cars for the film "The Lady in the Van," which starred Dame Maggie Smith. She described it as one of her most challenging films, largely because most scenes were shot in the cramped confines of the van. According to Smith, the filming was difficult because she spent so much time inside the van. "The van wasn't the most comfortable place," she remarked.
Commenting on her experience during the film, she joked, “Not a lot of method [acting] was required when you were dressed as I was, and in a van.” There were fours vans (2 Bedford CAs, 2 Commers) used in the film, but this was the one which made it onto Alan Bennet’s driveway and was the main van in the film and in which Miss Sheppard passed away.
Aside from its film role, the van also made other public appearances. It was used by Miriam Margolyes during her publicity tour for a stage performance in Australia and showed up on the red carpet at the London Film Festival's premiere of "The Lady in the Van" in 2015. Additionally, it featured in Tesco's 100th-anniversary television advertisement, enhancing its iconic status.
What makes this van especially unique in the context of film history is that it was hand-painted with a mop brush in yellow paint with crumbs of Madeira cake by Dame Maggie Smith herself. It's a distinctive and quirky piece of memorabilia from the film, with a unique charm that makes it a fascinating vehicle.
Film plates - real registration is SAP 86G original log book showing ownership by Dream Cars credited in the film.
