Why Not Tri Reliant? [pics]

[Deleted]

Well that was surprising. I'm on the hunt for a Reliant Robin, Rialto or Regal to replace my Ledbury Maestro. It's all down to the numbers, you see. Ideally, I'm after an early Rialto.

Show me what you can of these three wheeled beasties, I know they have potential.

Here's a normal one that I like.

[Porsche]

I like this Regal...

...

But if you are gonna have a Robin or Rialto, it looks like you have to be tounge in cheek with the mods.




Why not get a Reliant Fox, Kitten or Bond Bug? I think they have more potential.

[composimmonite]

To keep weight within legal limit the chassis is made out of quite thin material. Basically folded sheet and as such rot is a severe problem. At one time you could get repair sections but now you will be on your own in fabricating from scratch. Due to the fibreglass body it needs to be removed for access to weld the top surfaces properly. With that in mind far better to find a later model like the Rialto that has galv chassis. BTW the spare wheel was an option extra on the Regal as making it a standard item would have made the weight such that it no longer was within the legal definition of what was required for a 3 wheeler at the time !
I had 3 Regal Supervan III's as well as a Salamander, Kitten and Fox and enjoyed them all. Closure of Reliant however has cause some serious problems with parts supply so best join the appropriate club as they have remanufactured, reconditioned, items etc that are not available elsewhere.

Paul H

[robscott]

the bond bug I fully restored, and the regal I drove as is, apart from lowered it on 10 inch cooper rims, and I put an 850 high compression motor in it.

both sold now. the regal was fast as hell.

[barrett]

Oh god I want a Regal so badly! I am such a stunningly attractive man that I am constantly trying to evade the unwanted attention of scores of beautiful women, I reckon driving around in one of those beasties would solve that problem completely

[robscott]

its actually a real chick magnet, they think its cute, ive had 4 girls in it, 3 in the back and one up front... it was cosy obviously chavy girls hate it, but who'd want a chavy girl anyways?

[rod]

Ive been looking for a roadworthy reliant kitten or fox for quite a while. About to give up!

[composimmonite]

Jan 13, 2013 16:47:01 GMT rod said:

Ive been looking for a roadworthy reliant kitten or fox for quite a while. About to give up!

Fox chassis is galvanized whereas the Kitten isn't - and rots. Both my Kitten and Salamander (Kitten chassis with Ford Kent engine & autobox with alternative body - like mini Popemobile) suffered with rot on the top surface of the chassis which is only accessable when body removed. I broke the Fox due to the cost of overhauling front end (brakes, shocks, rack & ball joints). The perfect galv'd chassis went off to somebody who was restoring a Kitten. The roll bar that is bonded into the body of the Fox also carries the seat belt mounts. When I came to undo them the steel bar crumbled Would have been a major job to replace as serious amount of internal bodywork would have needed cutting away for access.
My choice therefore would be a Rialto. Galv chassis without the complication or expense of the four wheeler frotn components.
One thing I had happen on my Regal van was the front swinging arm collapse. Use to be a common thing and you could spot vehicles that were about to suffer by the fact the front wheel started to lean to one side for a while before total collapse.
Skidding on diesel saw me rear end a HB Viva estate. Damage to Viva cost me the expense of buying the owner a new rear light but totaled the front of the Reliant. I chopped the front off one of my spares, fabricated a subframe and had the front hinging forward like a Herald. Looked a right mess - red body, brown doors and yellow front. In fact I'm sure I've still for pics somewhere so will dig them out for a laugh. Passed 2 MOT's without a problem though and only scrapped after chassis snapped above the rear axle. By that time I'd passed my car test and had a Triumph 1500 FWD so wasn't bothered about trying to repair the van.


Paul H

[Porsche]

Jan 13, 2013 16:47:01 GMT rod said:

Ive been looking for a roadworthy reliant kitten or fox for quite a while. About to give up!

There's on for sale on eBay as we speak.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/reliant-fox-custom-van-/160950021500?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item25795e6d7c

[rod]

Amazing! I'd given up looking on e bay,then one turns up!Will go have a look..........
Its already up to £800 and still not up to reserve,I reckon it will go a lot higher.Too much for me!

[stealthstylz]

They're all fetching ridiculous money now, they're a right laugh to drive but they're just not "worth" the £1500-2000 they seem to go for now, for what is basically a daft car that I'd end up tipping on its side numerous times.

[Deleted]

I had a 1978 850super in yellow (these have a coupe style back not estate)

Lowered the front by chopping the spring .. Sat realy well...

Chucked a cherry bomb on it, and some mambas on the back

Oh and a period mini roofrack that believe it or not realy looked the part.

Shamefully i cant find any pics...

[Rich606]

There's still a few on the road around here being used in a totally non-ironic fashion. Mostly with fairly elderly drivers, although a few years ago there was a fairly young guy who had one on wide Weller 8-spokes. On the back at least.

[trigger]

There's 4 or 5 local too me including a van version, only last week my wife scared off a group of chavs from tipping the one over at the end of my road whilst she was walking the dog.

It's not the first time the local scum have tipped that one over.

[fred]

Do have a soft spot for the Kittens,
but as requested a couple o 3 pics of tri wheelers

[fred]

I fear after Top Gear lambasted them and reminded the twonks of today how easy it is to tip them up they will be a target mind

[rod]

Over the years Ive seen a couple of the 3 wheeler variety with different bodies,got a pic of one somewhere ,cant think for the life of me where the pics are though.In a strange way it looked ok and sat 'right'.

[Deleted]

I'm off to view what might be a shed on Tuesday, we'll see how that pans out. It's sensibly priced, which is unusual for one of these.

[trigger]

Even knackered one's are worth good money due to the chassis being used for Trike conversions.

[rod]

The chassis on the 4 wheelers make a good base for a body swap,hot rod or '30's bugatti style or whatever.Getting a running on the road and tested one would mean it wouldnt take long to re body it.