From 1990 to 1995—and in two later films—Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean character drove a series of 6 Minis during production of Mr. Bean, though he was mostly behind the wheel of a 1979 Mini 1000 MKII.

Leave it to the British to create a character that was a barely verbal, middle-aged man-child who would become a worldwide comedy sensation, what with Mr. Bean getting himself into all sorts of ludicrous trouble over the show’s five seasons. Of course, one of the main “vehicles” of Mr. Bean getting into so much trouble was his car.

If you’re ready to learn about Mr. Bean’s Mini and all of its television glory, you’ve come to the right place. The

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The details of Mr. Bean’s Mini

Mr. Bean’s most-used Mini, the 1979 Mini 1000 MKII, was manufactured by Austin Morris BL Cars Ltd. It featured an in-line 4 cylinder engine sporting a “whopping” 39 horsepower anda not-exactly-blazing top speed of 82 miles per hour. Upon release, the ‘79 Mini retailed for just under $3,000.

Before

BMW

modernized the older Mini line into the sleek

Mini Coopers

we know today, Mr. Bean’s Mini hailed from a model that was originally introduced in 1959. Its oddball look defied its utility, as the Mini could seat four adults easily, boasted excellent fuel economy, was very easy to park, and was available in both Sport Cooper and

Cooper S

models. It handled corners with aplomb and was fun to race.

During the Suez Canal Crisis, the Mini was highly sought-after for its fuel efficiency.

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Mr. Bean’s many Minis

Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean would often get himself into situations that were equally hilarious and uncomfortable. Perhaps it's not surprising that just one Mini could not be the sole workhorse for Mr. Bean’s five seasons of production as well as two films.

In all, six Minis were used throughout the life of the show and its related properties. Three were painted Applejack green and black while two didn’t have engines—and for good reason, as you’ll find out. The first Mini used was actually orange!

During production, technicians would swap out parts from one Mini to another depending on what was being filmed. Just one of the six Minis used on Mr. Bean survives to this day.

Here’s a brief rundown of each one used throughout the lifetime of this hysterical British character.

Mini no. 1

The aforementioned orange Mini that was first used during the series was a 1969 BMC Mini MKII. It was used in just the show’s first episode before being unceremoniously dispatched to an early television retirement. Its license plate number was RNT 996H.

Mini no. 2, 3, and 4

The second Mini used was the citron green Mini with the black hood that became iconic as Mr. Bean’s cherished automobile and was used for the rest of the series. This Mini’s license plate number was SLW 287R. Two other citron green Minis were crushed by a tank in the episode Back to School Mr. Bean.

And the answer is yes—these engine-less cars were actually crushed by a British Chieftan Army Tank during filming. The Chieftain debuted in 1966and was a mainstay in the British Army during the Cold War. It has since been retired from service.

Mini no. 5

In 1997, with the release of the film Bean, producers used yet another applejack green Mini. Though it ended up on the cutting room floor before the film was released, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of it if you watch the film’s extended version DVD.

Mini no. 6

There was a sixth Mini in the film Mr. Bean’s Holiday, this one a Nissan Amarillo Yellow Mini that sported the license plate YGL 572T.

Mr. Bean and his Mini in trouble

Mr. Bean got into all kinds of amusing forms of trouble—and they often involved his Mini. Here are three of the most classic car-related mishaps from the television show.

Driving from the roof

In the episode Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean, the titular character straps an armchair onto his Mini’s roof and stuffs his car full of do-it-yourself supplies to re-do his apartment. Of course, there's no room for Mr. Bean to actually sit in the car.

Being industrious, Mr. Bean uses a rope attached to the steering wheel to pilot his car while controlling the gas and brake with an extended broomstick—all the while sitting comfortably in his new armchair while strapped to the car’s roof.

Naturally,

things don’t end well

Anti-theft Mr. Bean

Cars are expensive, and most people don’t want their ride to be stolen—especially Mr. Bean. Also in Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean, our British hero shows off his

patented security system

involving a series of keys positioned at various places in the car.

He goes from one to the next, eventually unlocking the padlocked car door and getting access to the ignition key to start the car. Once he turns the ignition… the car doesn’t start.

Mr. Bean’s crushed Mini

In the episode Back To School Mr. Bean, our favorite British dimwit leaves his car unattended because he just has to eat a delicious chocolate cupcake on offer at the local fair. Little does he know that his green Mini has been positioned as a demonstration item that will be

crushed by a British Army tank

. This moment is as hilarious as it sounds!

Protect your Mini from a crushing fate

Whether you drive a Mini or something else, you’ll want to protect it from emergency situations—including an unexpected tank rolling by.

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