LONDON - One Direction’s tour bus is up for sale. The ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ group used the iconic Scooby Doo-themed VW Crafter van to travel between gigs from 2013, but it is now going under the hammer at an online auction.
The 2011 vehicle cost £70,000 to convert into a luxury cruiser, and from the outside it is a replica of the Mystery Machine, the vehicle used in the classic cartoon series. The van boasts heated leather seats inscribed with LM and ZM for Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, under-floor heating, a fridge and microwave, and it also has a roof covered in pages from comic books encased in perspex.
Five camera were installed to keep an eye on fans outside, and it’s even believed there is a water jet that could be used to keep them at bay if things got too wild.
There was plenty of entertainment on hand for the group, which also included Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Niall Horan, including a 55’’ Sony Bravia plasma TV screen, two smaller televisions on the sides, a Sony PlayStation, Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii.
And there’s an impressive sound system and even a laser light show for added party atmosphere.
The distinctive vehicle will be sold in a silent auction, meaning the winning bid won’t be disclosed, by Ashtons car dealers.
Sales manager Oliver Cox said: ‘’There has been a lot of interest in it. I’m hoping for six figures for it, and the bids are already getting towards £100,000.
‘’It is certainly different from the usual Mercedes, Porsche and Land Rover we sell!’’ The van wasn’t used by the group as much as they’d hoped.
Oliver explained to The Sun on Sunday newspaper: ‘’We know someone in the trade who is a friend of Zayn and got it a few months ago.
‘’It is in perfect condition and only done 3,000 miles.
‘’The van was supposed to take One Direction on tour across America, but when it arrived there it hit copyright problems because of its Mystery Machine branding and had to be shipped straight back.’’