A MAN in Cambridge, Britain, has built a Del Boy version of the famous flying car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

    John Rothwell spent three years constructing the world’s first three-wheeled replica using the frame of a Reliant Rialto — similar to the car used in “Only Fools and Horses.”

    The 52-year-old, who is a big fan of the film, which is based on the children’s book by “James Bond” creator Ian Fleming, spent about £4,000 (US$6,062) converting the car, which comes complete with wings.

    After buying the Reliant Rialto for about £800, Rothwell spent days stripping the vehicle back to its chassis in May 2011.

    He then bought pine to build the frame of the car and 30 strips of red cedar from a fencing company for £300 to make the new body. The boat was made using plywood, using 27, 8-foot (2.43-meter) lengths he cut by hand.

    The vehicles engine was stripped and rebuilt and new brakes were fitted and it was converted to an electronic ignition.

    Rothwell made the wings using fabric usually used to make bouncy castles and used electric window motors to motorize them, at a cost of around £190.

    Carpet was added, for £80, and several hundred more was spent on brass and aluminum to give the vehicle a shiny finish.

    Rothwell, a jeweler by trade, said building the car was a “steep learning curve,” something not helped by the fact he didn’t have any designs to go on.

    Rothwell built the car on the framework of a Reliant Rialto in a garage rented from the council, travelling back and fourth from his home 120 times between 2011 and 2014. He completed the job unassisted.

    (SD-Agencies)