Only a plonker would have passed up the chance to buy a piece of British comedy history.

Wedding chauffeur Ian Nixon had put his lime green Ford Capri, which featured in Only Fools and Horses, up for auction at the Auto Sport Car Show in Birmingham.

Auctioneers Coys had put an estimate of £24,000 to £28,000 on it.

But Mr Nixon, of Mill Lane, Cressing, said: “It didn’t make its reserve price. I am hoping to sell it soon.”

He bought the 33-year-old Capri in 1998 from Elstree Studios.