Stephen Hawking’s campervan and disabled parking permit up for sale

A spokesperson for auctioneers Silverstone said: “This vehicle was a very significant element to the later life of Hawking; it has a full continuity of Hawking-family ownership, having never been owned by anyone other than his close relatives.

“It even has ‘Professor Stephen Hawking’ documented on the original V5C and his disabled parking permit is still in the glovebox.

“While also being such a well-known vehicle in and around Cambridge for that decade he owned it – locals knew it well and would regularly wave – plus film footage of Hawking actually in the Caravelle, which features in a recent Sky documentary ‘Can you hear me?’.

“This humble VW is all the more special, unique and important to collectors of items that have been owned by important figures.”

The VW Caravelle was used as the Brief History of Time author’s personal transport with an automatic gearbox and a mileage of 90,000.

It also comes with the original VW playbook with an MOT up to May 2023.

The prof bought it new in 1988, eventually retiring the beloved van in 1999 when it became incompatible with his disability requirements.

It was donated by Hawking’s nephew who said the decision to sell the slice of family history was a “dilemma”.

He said: “It has been a real dilemma as to what to do with my uncle’s VW, as it’s not being used and taking up room in a much-needed garage.

“The family would like a science or Professor Hawking enthusiast to be the next custodian of it, rightly appreciating it for its special connection to such an enigmatic and important British figure.”