Mr. Bean's Mini

Throughout the series, Mr. Bean always drives a Mini. There are six different Minis used by him, with some others used in commercials and promotions.

First Mini (registration RNT 996H)
Mr. Bean's first Mini was an orange 1969 BMC Mini MK II (registration RNT 996H), only seen in the live-action episode Mr. Bean. It was crashed at the end of the same episode.

Second Mini (registration SLW 287R) #1
The second Mini, a 1977 British Leyland Mini 1000 was Austin Citron Green in colour with a matte black bonnet and has the registration number SLW 287R. This Mini was used from "The Curse of Mr. Bean" until "Back to School, Mr. Bean".

In the episode, "Back to School, Mr. Bean", Bean changed parking spaces with an identical mini (registration ACW 497V) unfortunately the identical Mini was set to be used for a demonstration of an army tank, and his car was crushed in it's place with the padlock on the side being the only surviving part.

In the compilation episode "The Best Bits of Mr. Bean"  Mr. Bean and Teddy go into the attic in search of an umbrella on a rainy day. He finds one for Teddy, but when he finds his, it's broken and so he spends the whole episode looking for another one. During his search, Bean finds various items that bring back memories of his old adventures including the wreckage of his destroyed Mini.

Third Mini (registration SLW 287R) #2
Although the Mini has been crushed by the army tank, It reappears after 2 episodes in "Goodnight, Mr. Bean". This Mini was also Austin Citron Green with a matte black bonnet also with the registration number SLW 287R. It is possible that this Mini was the one (registration ACW 497V) that was supposed to have been crushed by the army tank in "Back to School, Mr. Bean" and that Bean took it in as his own after his was destroyed by the tank.

Fourth Mini (registration C607 EUW)
For the feature film Bean (1997), a sequence seen Mr. Bean driving from his apartment to work involving the Mini (registration C607 EUW) including driving through Harrods Department Store was shot, but this was not included in the final cut. It can be found on the DVD.

After the movie came out, it was purchased by Planet Hollywood and displayed it in their Niagara Falls restaurant. The last Canadian location in their franchise, it remained there until 2016, when it finally closed down. In June 2018, this car, among several other items from Planet Hollywood's estate, was sold for USD 70,000 at the Icons & Legends of Hollywood auction.

Fifth Mini (registration YGL 572T)
The Mini also appeared in the film Mr. Bean's Holiday, now with the registration YGL 572T. Differently to all previous Bean Minis before (which use the colour Austin Citron green) this Mini is painted in 'Nissan Amarillo Yellow'. It was put on display for a short while at the "Transportation Department" section of the Studio Backlot Tour in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Also seen in the movie is a left hand drive version of his Mini, owned by the character Sabine.

Sixth Mini (registration STE 952R)
The sixth Mini, a 1979 Austin Morris Mini, In 2015, Mr. Bean returned in a sketch for Comic Relief to celebrate his 25th anniversary. In the sketch Mr. Bean drives the Mini (colour Austin Citron green), with registration STE 952R (same as in the animated series) to attend a funeral.

"Red promotional" Mini (registration 68-DH-68)
In 1993 Mr. Bean visit the Netherlands to promote his new VHS. He appeared in the Dutch programme "Soundmixshow". He arrives driving a left hand drive Red Mini with a matte black bonnet with Dutch registration 68-DH-68.

"Rema 1000" Mini (registration unknown)
In 1994 Mr. Bean appeared in 3 commercials for the Scandinavian supermarket chain "Rema 1000". In these commercials the famous Mini is also featured, but as a left hand drive version. Mr. Bean - Rema 1000 Part 1 Mr. Bean - Rema 1000 Part 2Mr. Bean - Rema 1000 Part 3

"Animated series" promotional Mini (registration DRW221T)
To promote the new animated series in 2002, a Mini with registration DRW221T was used for promotions and events. This Mini is on display at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu with registration STE 952R (same as in the animated series).

The Armchair Mini (registration SLW 287R) #3
In 2009, Rowan Atkinson appeared as Mr. Bean in a live appearance of the character, driving a recreation of the driving from the roof car stunt at the Goodwood Revival as part of Goodwood's celebration of 50 years of the Mini.

In 2015, a recreation of the car stunt scene was staged in central London to promote the 25th anniversary of the series. In a special YouTube video Mr. Bean drove in a Mini and it had #Mr.Bean25 on it. The registration is same to the original Mini, SLW287R. The video ended with a photo call outside Buckingham Palace.

Continuity
There were three Minis painted green and black used during filming of the series, as well as two others painted with the same colour scheme but with no engine that got crushed by the tank. One of the main cars was also crushed by the tank. During filming many parts were swapped from car to car throughout production, including bonnets, wheel trims, grilles, steering wheels, rear lights, occasionally the drivers door and the seat covers.

The cars used during filming of the series (1990-1995):


 * SLW 287R - main and most used, 1977 Leyland Cars Mini 1000, repainted Austin Citron Green (was Harvest Gold). (plate is used on all subsequent cars, although the 'real' SLW287R continued to be filmed too) DVLA data ends at 1991 but the car's alive and well.


 * YAN 939T - second built for 'The Trouble with Mr Bean'; a 1978 Austin Morris Mini 1000 (originally Pageant Blue). This car was used in two episodes. DVLA data ends in 1997 but apparently the car's been in various museums, and now has an 850cc power plant.


 * (ex)Russet Brown 1978 Mini - registration seemingly unknown, built from spares with a knackered shell. The most destructively modified of all; rear seat structure cut open, roof strengthened, controls rebuilt for secret operation for the scene when Mr. Bean drives on top of the roof in an armchair in the episode, Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean. This Mini was also run over by a tank.


 * ACW 497V - the imposter Mini, a 1980 Austin Morris Mini 1000 (but engineless) originally Flame Red. A Mini with a showbiz (1 film) past it had quick modifications to suit each part. Also crushed by a tank. DVLA data ends in 1993.

1. Mr. Bean
 * (ex)Red Mini - unknown but also flattened by a tank.


 * RNT 996H Orange Mini

2. The Return of Mr. Bean (1990)


 * None

3. The Curse of Mr. Bean (1990)


 * SLW 287R

4. Mr. Bean Goes to Town (1991)


 * SLW 287R

5. The Trouble with Mr. Bean ( 1992)


 * SLW 287R


 * YAN 939T

6. Mr. Bean Rides Again (1992)


 * SLW 287R


 * YAN 939T (Car Keys scene) Lock beside the badge on the bonnet

7. Merry Christmas Mr. Bean (1992)


 * Russet Mini 2 doormirrors one plastic and one chrome, and a later Austin grille

8. Mr. Bean in Room 426 (1993)


 * Russet Mini 2 doormirrors one plastic and one chrome, and a later Austin grille

9. Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean (1994)


 * SLW 287R 2 chrome door mirrors, different pattern on seat covers. Standard plane black Mini grille


 * Russet Mini (Driving on top of the car)

10. Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean (1994)


 * Russet Mini 2 door mirrors one plastic and one chrome, and a later Austin grille

11. Back to School, Mr. Bean (1994)


 * SLW 287R 2 chrome door mirrors, different pattern on seat covers. Standard plane black Mini grille


 * ACW 497V Engine removed, destroyed by tank


 * Russet Mini Engine removed, destroyed by tank


 * Red Mini Engine removed, destroyed by tank

12. Tee Off, Mr. Bean (1995)


 * None

13. Goodnight, Mr. Bean (1995)


 * SLW 287R 2 chrome door mirrors, different pattern on seat covers. Standard plane black Mini grille

14. Hair by Mr. Bean of London (1995)


 * SLW 287R 2 chrome door mirrors, different pattern on seat covers. Standard plane black Mini grille

15. The Best Bits of Mr. Bean (1995)

Torvill and Bean (1995)


 * SLW 287R

Story
1. Mr. Bean: In the first episode Mr. Bean used his first Mini to ride his way to school, church and the beach. On his way he tangles with a blue three-wheeler Reliant Regal. His Mini was destroyed in the episode after a collision in the final scenes:

2. The Return of Mr. Bean: Bean never appeared in his Mini in this episode. This is one of two episodes in which his car failed to make an appearance.

3. The Curse of Mr. Bean: Mr. Bean's second Mini, the famous green Mini with a matte black bonnet, made it's debut in this episode (but without the padlock). Mr. Bean escapes without paying from a car park and tangles with his old foe in the blue three-wheeler Reliant Regal in the process. Later, he pushes his car around a corner at a red light, imitating a cyclist.

4. Mr. Bean Goes to Town: Bean uses his car to transport his new television by tying it to the roof.

5. The Trouble with Mr. Bean: Bean gets up late and has to dress himself inside his car on the way to his dental appointment. Later, he visits a park and his car has an encounter with a thief who is foiled because Bean always removes the steering wheel as a safety precaution.

6. Mr. Bean Rides Again: Bean uses an ambulance to jumpstart his car, leaving it with a dead battery.

7. Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean: Bean uses it on the way to the Harrods' entrance. Later, he uses his car to transport the city's Christmas tree to his home.

8. Mr. Bean in Room 426: Bean arrives at the hotel in his trusty Mini.

9. Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean: Bean finds that he has no room in the car for his new armchair and all the other things he has bought, so he improvises a highly dangerous system for driving home by placing the armchair on the roof of his car and siting in it, manipulating the accelerator and brake by a pulley. His journey home comes to an end inside a bed van.

10. Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean: Bean's car inadvertently drags a pram on an unscheduled journey. Later, a Dobermann makes a visit, sitting on his back seat.

11. Back to School, Mr. Bean: Not capable to park his Mini in the car park, Bean spots a similar-looking Mini (registration ACW 497V) in a reserved parking space, finds it unlocked, and substitutes the cars. His Mini is crushed later by an army tank in a military demonstration.

12. Tee Off, Mr. Bean: Bean never appeared in his Mini. This is the second episode in which his car failed to make an appearance.

13. Goodnight, Mr. Bean: Although the Mini has been crushed, it reappears in the episode. Bean arrives at the hospital, parking his Mini behind an ambulance. This Mini was also Austin Citron Green with a matte black bonnet also with the registration number SLW 287R. It is possible that this Mini was the one (registration ACW 497V) that was supposed to have been crushed in "Back to School, Mr. Bean" and that Bean took it in as his own after his was destroyed by the tank.

14. Hair by Mr. Bean of London: Bean arrives at a fete and immediately causes mayhem by parking his car in a pen intended for sheep.

15. The Best Bits of Mr. Bean: Mr. Bean and Teddy go into the attic in search of an umbrella on a rainy day. He finds one for Teddy, but when he finds his, it's broken and so he spends the whole episode looking for another one. During his search, Bean finds various items that bring back memories of his old adventures including the wreckage of his destroyed Mini.

Trivia

 * He uses a padlock to lock his car door for all of his Mini's, except in the episode "The Curse of Mr. Bean". In this episode the famous Green Mini made its debut, but without the padlock.


 * Mr. Bean takes the steering wheel from his car when he leaves it, as seen in "The Trouble with Mr. Bean" and "Mr. Bean in Room 426". It is possible this is for anti-theft reasons, as the car thief (in "The Trouble with Mr. Bean") easily broke the padlock on his car and hot-wired it, but was unable to take it without the steering wheel.


 * In 2009, Mr. Bean made a live public appearance at the Goodwood Revival driving a Mini sitting on top of the roof in an armchair, controlling the steering and pedals with a mop and string. It is a homage to the episode, Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean.


 * In 2015, to celebrate his 25th anniversary, Bean drives around through the parks and landmarks of London in a Mini on top of the roof in an armchair, which inspired by the episode, Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean.