Smithy's iconic blue Volvo from Gavin and Stacey now used as a family car by father-of-two - and it

May 2024 ยท 3 minute read

ONCE a robust work vehicle, Smithy's iconic blue Volvo from the hit sitcom Gavin and Stacey is now enjoying life as a family car.

One of the show's biggest fans got hold of the vehicle last year, and now uses it as his everyday motor.

David Webb bought the Volvo as a run-around in July last year, and the battered estate still boasts all the references to James Corden's character.

The 47-year-old stumbled across Smithy's motor on a classic car website and snapped it up as a fellow Welshman and fan of the hit BBC show.

It still has its original number plate and "Smithy" sign on the back window, along with a tribute to the builder's infamous takeaway order of: chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan and nine poppadoms.

The Volvo's dashboard also features a West Ham United towel, a London street map, a Smithy key ring and empty food packets to give the car the look it had during filming.

Insurance worker David said he's photographed by fans on a daily basis as he uses the motor on his commute and on trips to the supermarket.

The father-of-two, from Woking in Surrey, said: "We treat it as a bit of a laugh. We have Nessa and Smithy masks and sometimes at the traffic lights I stick one on and people are laughing.

"It is my main car. I drive it to work, to the supermarket, to the tip - everywhere.

"Every time I go out, I come back to the car and somebody will be taking a photo of it or people will be videoing the car as we're driving along.

"They have not even changed the number plate, if you look it is the same one that was used in the show."

And Webb even said he will "definitely" let James Corden use the vehicle again.

Corden announced the hit BBC sitcom would be returning for a one-off reunion special this Christmas - more than nine years after the last episode aired.

Speaking after the reunion was confirmed, the Welshman said he would be open to letting the production use his car should they need it.

Mr Webb said: "Absolutely, we would definitely allow that.

"It would be fantastic, we would absolutely love it as you can imagine. We wouldn't make a charge, it'd be great to have it in the show."

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Museums have already attempted to purchase the vehicle from Mr Webb, who has so far been reluctant to sell.

Perhaps one of the most iconic Gavin and Stacey scenes previously took place in Smithy's car during the 2008 Christmas Special.

Corden's rendition of Band Aid, singing from the Volvo down the phone to best-mate Gavin remains one of the show's most-loved scenes.

But the car owned by Mr Webb isn't the same vehicle used in Gavin and Stacey's previous Christmas Special - that Volvo was reportedly written off.

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