Thunderbirds are SLOW! Great-grandad transforms mobility scooter into Lady Penelope's Roller (and chauffeurs her around town)

A great-grandfather has paid the ultimate tribute to Thunderbirds by transforming his mobility scooter into Lady Penelope's Rolls Royce.

Brian Vann, 74, spent three months converting his 10mph scooter to make it look like the pink car from the hit 1960s puppet show.

He now travels from his sheltered housing complex to the shops dressed as chauffeur Parker with a model of Lady Penelope in the back seat.

Tribute: Brian Vann spent three months converting his 10mph scooter to make it look like Lady Penelope's Rolls Royce in Thunderbirds

Tribute: Brian Vann spent three months converting his 10mph scooter to make it look like Lady Penelope's Rolls Royce in Thunderbirds

Mr Vann, from Evesham, Worcestershire, began the project after his wife Mary died in September last year so he could drive in a cancer charity run.

The retired construction worker, who can only walk a few yards, said: 'I always loved the Thunderbirds show when it was on the telly and have harboured an ambition to drive around Lady Penelope.

'I set about building her Rolls Royce in my garage out of bits of old wood I had lying around.

'People are very supportive when they see me driving around town and I've even been stopped to sign autographs.

'I love being able to raise a smile for people.'

Coffee stop: Mr Vann built the Rolls Royce using plywood donated from a local timber yard, tin foil and his granddaughter's Barbie doll

Coffee stop: Mr Vann built the Rolls Royce using plywood donated from a local timber yard, tin foil and his granddaughter's Barbie doll

The 74-year-old even dresses up as chauffeur Parker and has a doll for Lady Penelope in his back seat

The 74-year-old even dresses up as chauffeur Parker and has a doll for Lady Penelope in his back seat

Mr Vann built the Rolls Royce out of plywood donated from a local timber yard.

He clad the front grill using tin foil and borrowed his granddaughter's Barbie doll for the iconic 'Flying Lady' bonnet mascot.

Mr Vann, who has five-great grandchildren and six grandchildren, said: 'I used whatever I could lay my hands on.

'I got a picture of the Rolls Royce and worked from that to make it as authentic as possible.

'Two of my friends made Lady Penelope which I was grateful for.'

Mr Vann is no stranger to souping-up his £3,500 Handy Care mobility scooter.

In June, he stunned neighbours when he converted the 4ft-high vehicle into the Batmobile and through doing so has raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Source of inspiration: Parker and Lady Penelope as they looked in TV's 1960s puppet classic Thunderbirds

Source of inspiration: Parker and Lady Penelope as they looked in TV's 1960s puppet classic Thunderbirds


 

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