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Mr. Bean had at least six Minis across the television series and films, according to MINI—but that is a lower-bound count, not a definitive list of six individually identified cars. The best-known screen Mini is a 1977 Leyland Cars Mini 1000 Mark IV in Austin Citron Green with a matte black bonnet and registration SLW 287R. It was not a Mini Cooper, and it was only one of several cars used to create Mr. Bean’s familiar on-screen identity.
Why there is no definitive list of six Minis
MINI’s heritage account says Mr. Bean had “at least six Minis” over the television series and films. Cars were destroyed in storylines, and production sometimes transferred parts from one car to another. The figure is therefore a minimum, not an official inventory of six unique chassis with a known model, year and registration for each.
The National Motor Museum adds a production detail that helps explain the apparent continuity: three green-and-black Minis were used in the series, along with two similarly painted, unengined cars that were crushed by a tank. Those non-running props should not be confused with a single road car that was crushed and then restored.
How the Minis changed on screen
| Screen era or role | Appearance and identification | What is established |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot, aired 1 January 1990 | Orange Mini with a door padlock | Exact model is disputed; it is not securely identified. |
| From episode three, “The Curse of Mr. Bean” | Austin Citron Green, matte black bonnet, registration SLW 287R | MINI identifies the familiar car as a 1977 Leyland Cars Mini 1000 Mark IV, not a Cooper. |
| Tank destruction gag | Green-and-black Minis | The National Motor Museum says two unengined examples were crushed; they were props, not running cars. |
| Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007) | Yellow Mini | MINI identifies this as Mr. Bean’s sixth Mini and describes the colour as “Nissan Amarillo Yellow.” Sabine’s more prominent similar Mini is left-hand drive and is not Mr. Bean’s. |
| Comic Relief sketch (2015) | Mr. Bean’s sixth Mini | MINI calls this the latest appearance in its account; that does not establish the latest appearance in every later publicity or licensed production. |
The orange Mini in the pilot
The first on-screen car was orange and met its fictional end in a crash down a dead end. MINI says the commonly accepted identification is an MK2 Morris Mini, while some enthusiasts argue that it was an MK1 Austin Mini fitted with an MK2 grille and rear lights. The available account does not settle the disagreement, so neither description should be presented as certain.
#1 Best Overall
- This classic car can seat up to four figures for a ride around the city
- Open the trunk at the back to store essential travel gear or luggage
- In true British fashion, the vehicle seats the driver on the right and passenger to their left. Make sure you drive on the correct side of the road!
- Pop off the roof to easily access the interior
The orange car already had the door padlock that became a recurring gag. MINI says parts including its steering-wheel cover, seats and carpet were transferred to a later green Mini, one reason the screen identity does not map neatly to a succession of untouched cars.
The green-and-black Mini: model, details and filming
MINI identifies the familiar green car first seen in “The Curse of Mr. Bean” as a 1977 Leyland Cars Mini 1000 Mark IV, finished in Austin Citron Green with a matte black bonnet and registration SLW 287R. Despite frequent mislabelling, MINI explicitly says it is not a classic Mini Cooper.
Rank #2
- 1️⃣ 🏁 A VICTORY THAT CHANGED HISTORY In 1967, a small Mini Cooper S shocked the world. Competing against larger, more powerful cars in the Monte Carlo Rally, it proved that precision, courage, and innovation could defeat pure power. Car #177 became a symbol of one of racing’s greatest underdog victories.
- 2️⃣ 🔥 MORE THAN A MODEL — A MOMENT IN TIME This is not just a diecast car. It’s a tribute to a golden era of motorsport, when drivers battled through snow-covered mountain roads and every victory carried a story worth remembering.
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The car did not have its signature padlock in its first scene: MINI says the car was not ready when filming began, and the padlock appears afterwards. The door padlock and removable steering wheel became practical security gags as well as visual signatures. The National Motor Museum notes the bolt-latch and padlock and says the steering wheel was removed in two episodes.
MINI also says footage for the 1997 film Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie was shot, including a scene in which the car drives through Harrods, but that scene was cut. The National Motor Museum’s own Mr. Bean Mini is described as a car used to promote Mr. Bean: The Animated Series; that is a separate vehicle history, not proof that it is one of the identified television-series cars.
Rank #3
![Hot Wheels Austin Mini Cooper S [Green] Then & Now 1/10, 71/250, New for 2026! 1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Vehicle](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yQX2Xv4jL._SL160_.jpg)
- Austin Mini Cooper S in a Stlyish Green Finish!
- Number 1/10 in the Then & Now Set! Number 71/250 in the overall series!
- 1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Car
Why sources describe different surviving cars
MINI’s account of the famous screen identity and BMW Group Classic’s account of a surviving car refer to different identifications. MINI describes the iconic green car as a 1977 Mark IV. In a BMW Group Classic press release dated 26 September 2013, a car entered in that year’s Creme 21 rally is identified as a 1974 Mini Mark III and one of the few Minis from the series to survive its on-screen antics. BMW gives that particular car a four-cylinder 1.0-litre engine producing 27 kW (34 bhp). The sources do not establish that the 1974 Mark III and the 1977 Mark IV are the same chassis.
The National Motor Museum identifies its displayed example as a promotional car for the animated series. The museum’s description does not establish its current visitor-display status; check the museum’s current information before planning a visit to see it.
Rank #4
- ICONIC MODEL: Features the classic Austin Mini Cooper S in a bold red finish, capturing the timeless style of this legendary British car
- NEW FOR 2026: This is a brand-new 2026 release, making it a must-have addition for collectors and Hot Wheels enthusiasts
- COLLECTIBLE NUMBERING: Numbered 71/250 in the series, this die-cast model is a uniquely identified piece for any collection
- 1:64 SCALE DIE-CAST: Crafted in the popular 1:64 scale with die-cast construction for realistic detail and lasting durability
- VERSATILE USE: Suitable as a display piece for collectors or as a fun toy car for children who love miniature vehicles
How the Mini became part of Mr. Bean
MINI says the car became more than background dressing: it was a focus for plots and gags, and part of the character’s identity. Its heritage account credits Rowan Atkinson with choosing the Mini and its colours. It says he valued the car’s comic quality, had learned to drive in his mother’s Morris Minor, and wanted a colour he would not choose for himself.
That combination made the car instantly legible on screen: a distinctive colour, black bonnet, padlock and removable steering wheel supplied visual cues that could survive changes in the actual vehicles. The production history is less tidy than a single-car story, but the recurring details made the Mini feel like one constant companion.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brand new box. Real rubber tires. Has opening hood and front doors. Made of diecast with some plastic parts. Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment. Dimensions approximately L-7.5, W-3, H-2.5 inches.
Sources
- MINI UK: Mr. Bean’s Mini — the six-or-more count, car chronology, model identification and character history.
- National Motor Museum: Mr. Bean Mini — production-car and prop details, plus the museum’s promotional car.
- BMW Group Classic, 26 September 2013 — details of the specific 1974 Mark III entered in the Creme 21 rally.
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