Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear recently spoke about their time filming Little Miss Sunshine at the movie’s 20th anniversary screening held at the Sundance Film Festival. The pair recalled a memorable part of the experience involving the iconic yellow van featured prominently in the film. Both actors revealed that they nearly purchased this distinctive vehicle after filming wrapped, highlighting its sentimental value to them.
The Van: A Coveted Symbol of the Film
The yellow Volkswagen Type 2 van served as a central element in the story and became a symbol closely tied to the movie’s legacy. Toni Collette, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Sheryl in the film, shared her long-standing admiration for the model.
“We both considered buying it at the end of the movie. I’d wanted one since I was 17 years old,”
she said. Producer Peter Saraf ultimately took possession of the van but found it difficult to keep because of its association with the film.
Collette added,
“I think Peter Saraf [A producer on the film] did take it, but he got harassed everywhere he went because it is the Little Miss Sunshine van.”
Greg Kinnear joked about the potential bidding situation:
“That would’ve been an awkward auction,”
he said.
“Me and Toni bidding on that thing and scrambling to try and get our hands on it.”
The actor also reflected on how the vehicle’s iconic status was not fully realized at the time.
“I mean also of course it would’ve been an iconic vehicle, but we didn’t know that at the time,”
he noted.
The Van’s Current Home and Personal Connections
Today, the cherished van is exhibited at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it continues to attract fans of the film. Toni Collette shared a story about visiting the museum with her son, not initially aware the van was on display.
“I didn’t know it was there. I took my son and then there it was. So I’m like, oh, come on, we’ve got to take photos,”
she said.
About Little Miss Sunshine and Its Impact
Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of a dysfunctional family’s 800-mile road trip across the United States so that young Olive can compete in a beauty pageant. The cast also includes Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin. The film’s lasting appeal and cultural significance remain strong two decades after its release, as seen in its homage at festivals and museums alike.
