The van was on ebay for 9 days, and finally reached a price of £7,400 to go to Wallace and Gromit’s Children Foundation. If only I had a little extra money, I would certainly have paid to own this one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia.

The complete listing can be found here, but as ebay have a tendancy to remove them quickly, here’s the information anyway! (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=
160167215164&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006):

Nick Park Austin A35 Charity Auction
This beautiful van was restored for Wallace and Gromit Creator Nick Park and was the inspiration for the Anti–Pesto van used in Wallace and Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. It is being sold to raise money for the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Foundation, which supports children’s hospitals and hospices across the UK.

Quote from Nick: “I’ve always been a fan of Austins and this particular vehicle inspired me to come up with the Anti-Pesto van that was central to the plot and rehabilitation of the vegetable eating 'pests' in Curse of the Were-Rabbit." Says Nick " The van needed to be big enough to transport Wallace’s invention the Bunvac 2000 while at the same time slick enough to go on high speed chases after the formidable Were-Rabbit, and the Austin was a perfect match. Good luck to everyone who bids and all proceeds will be donated to the Wallace and Gromit's Children’s Foundation”.

The van was built in 1958 and was originally black, there are no records prior to 1983 other than the factory record certificate which was obtained in 2005 (which will be given away with the van). It does not have an MOT and has been garaged since restoration in 2005. Restoration of the van included a full re-spray and reconditioning of the original engine. Although most parts are original, lights have been replaced and sills have been repaired during this restoration. The van has pop out indicators. Please note that the rubbers on the wiper blades need replacing.

The van is sold as seen and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Although we have tried to give as much information and detail as possible we recommend that you view before you buy as we will not be able to issue refunds once the final sale price has been agreed. Viewings are available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.00am and 4.00pm by appointment only and strictly no time wasters please, this van is being auctioned for charity and we want to get the best possible price, giving serious buyers a chance to view. Please call Ruth on 01454 85900 to arrange a viewing and to ask any questions.

If you are sucessful then the van must be collected, we will not be able to deliver or post.

Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Foundation is a national charity raising funds to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK. Serious illness is always distressing but in a child it is cruelly so as it steals away childhood itself. The Foundation funds an innovative range of projects to ensure children in hospitals and hospices have a better, brighter future. Please visit www.wallaceandgromitfoundation.org to find out more.

Payment by cheque or banker's draft only to Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation.