Reliant - Revision history

TristanT at 10:57, 3 August 2009

2009-08-03T10:57:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 3 August 2009
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	[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]		[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
	[[Category:Makes]]		[[Category:Makes]]
	[[Category:Defunct ~~Motor Vehicles~~]]		[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]

TristanT at 10:54, 3 August 2009

2009-08-03T10:54:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:54, 3 August 2009
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	[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]		[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
	[[Category:Makes]]		[[Category:Makes]]
			[[Category:Defunct Motor Vehicles]]

Red marquis at 01:17, 20 February 2007

2007-02-20T01:17:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 20 February 2007
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	{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.		{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}
			'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.

	==History==		==History==

Red marquis at 05:15, 19 February 2007

2007-02-19T05:15:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:15, 19 February 2007
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	{{List of ~~(Insert Marque)~~ Models}}'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.		{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.

	==History==		==History==

Red marquis at 04:18, 19 February 2007

2007-02-19T04:18:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:18, 19 February 2007
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	'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.		{{List of (Insert Marque) Models}}'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.

	==History==		==History==

Red marquis at 06:38, 2 February 2007

2007-02-02T06:38:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 2 February 2007
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	'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] ~~[[manufacturing\|~~manufacturer]] in [[England]]. The company was based at [[Tamworth]] in [[Staffordshire]] although since 2001 it has moved to nearby [[Cannock]].		'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile\|car]] manufacturer in England. The company was based at Tamworth in Staffordshire although since 2001 it has moved to nearby Cannock.

	==History==		==History==
	Reliant was founded in 1935 by T L Williams to take over making the [[Raleigh ~~(bicycle)\|Raleigh]]~~ 3 wheeler delivery van which he had designed in 1933 and Raleigh no longer wished to make. It was powered by a 750 cc V twin engine to the rear wheels through a 3 speed gearbox and shaft drive. In 1939 the engine was replaced by Reliant's version of the straight four cylinder 747cc [[Austin 7]] side-valve engine. In 1952 a four seat car version was launched and in 1956 the bodywork was changed to glass fibre.		Reliant was founded in 1935 by T L Williams to take over making the Raleigh 3 wheeler delivery van which he had designed in 1933 and Raleigh no longer wished to make. It was powered by a 750 cc V twin engine to the rear wheels through a 3 speed gearbox and shaft drive. In 1939 the engine was replaced by Reliant's version of the straight four cylinder 747cc [[Austin 7]] side-valve engine. In 1952 a four seat car version was launched and in 1956 the bodywork was changed to glass fibre.

	The company is notable for building composite-bodied specialist vehicles, such as the [[Reliant Scimitar]], [[Reliant Sabre]] and [[Reliant SS1]] sports cars, and the three-wheeled [[Reliant Robin]], [[Reliant Regal]] and [[Reliant Rialto]] economy cars.		The company is notable for building composite-bodied specialist vehicles, such as the [[Reliant Scimitar]], [[Reliant Sabre]] and [[Reliant SS1]] sports cars, and the three-wheeled [[Reliant Robin]], [[Reliant Regal]] and [[Reliant Rialto]] economy cars.
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	Reliant also produced the 1970s fun car, the [[Bond Bug]], a sporty three wheeler designed by the [[Ogle Design\|Ogle]] designer Tom Karen.		Reliant also produced the 1970s fun car, the [[Bond Bug]], a sporty three wheeler designed by the [[Ogle Design\|Ogle]] designer Tom Karen.

	Reliant also built a four wheeled version of the Reliant Robin called the [[Reliant Kitten]] ; the forerunner to this was the [[Reliant Rebel]] and between 1983 and 1990 a utility / pickup vehicle called the [[Reliant Fox]] (this car was based on an original [[MEBEA]] development on Reliant mechanicals and was jointly developed for production by MEBEA and Reliant; it had originally been built in [[Greece]] by this Greek company between 1979 and 1983). They also made a small 3 wheeled commercial vehicle called the [[Reliant TW9]], later sold by other companies as the Ant, which was basically a Chassis / Cab onto which a custom rear body was fitted and used by public utility companies.		Reliant also built a four wheeled version of the Reliant Robin called the [[Reliant Kitten]] ; the forerunner to this was the [[Reliant Rebel]] and between 1983 and 1990 a utility / pickup vehicle called the [[Reliant Fox]] (this car was based on an original [[MEBEA]] development on Reliant mechanicals and was jointly developed for production by MEBEA and Reliant; it had originally been built in Greece by this Greek company between 1979 and 1983). They also made a small 3 wheeled commercial vehicle called the [[Reliant TW9]], later sold by other companies as the Ant, which was basically a Chassis / Cab onto which a custom rear body was fitted and used by public utility companies.

	Most of these quirky and distinctly British small cars used Europe's first mass-produced lightweight overhead valve aluminium alloy engine, initially 598 cc but enlarged through the years to a final 848 cc in [[1975]]. (Early Reliant three-wheelers used an engine derived from the 747cc 1930s [[Austin ~~(car)~~\|Austin]] [[Austin Seven\|Seven]] ). Reliant's own aluminium alloy engine is also used as the replacement for the Austin Seven engine by the [[750 Motor Club]] in their [[Formula 750]] motor sport.		Most of these quirky and distinctly British small cars used Europe's first mass-produced lightweight overhead valve aluminium alloy engine, initially 598 cc but enlarged through the years to a final 848 cc in 1975. (Early Reliant three-wheelers used an engine derived from the 747cc 1930s [[Austin\|Austin]] [[Austin Seven\|Seven]] ). Reliant's own aluminium alloy engine is also used as the replacement for the Austin Seven engine by the [[750 Motor Club]] in their [[Formula 750]] motor sport.

	Reliant's expertise in the area of composite car body production has also seen the company produce lightweight body shells for [[Ford RS200]] Rally cars and new Glass Fibre Bodied London Taxis, the MetroCab - the first to have full wheelchair provision, manufactured by a division of Kamkorp.		Reliant's expertise in the area of composite car body production has also seen the company produce lightweight body shells for [[Ford RS200]] Rally cars and new Glass Fibre Bodied London Taxis, the MetroCab - the first to have full wheelchair provision, manufactured by a division of Kamkorp.

	Reliant has provided designs to several other manufacturers, including [[Autocars Co. Ltd.\|Autocars]] in [[Israel]] and [[Otosan]] in [[Turkey]] in the [[1960s]], and [[MEBEA]] in [[Greece]] and [[Sipani]] in [[India]] in the [[1970s]].		Reliant has provided designs to several other manufacturers, including [[Autocars Co. Ltd.\|Autocars]] in Israel and Otosan in Turkey in the 1960s, and MEBEA in Greece and Sipani in India in the 1970s.

	In 2001, production rights for the Reliant Robin were sold to a Sudbury based film called B&N Plastics, but production ceased in 2002. Reliant concentrated on importing "speciality" vehicles from European manufacturers, including [[Piaggio]], [[Bultaco]] and [[Ligier]]. The firm also had plans to import the Indian [[San Storm]] sports car, but this plan never came to fruition.		In 2001, production rights for the Reliant Robin were sold to a Sudbury based film called B&N Plastics, but production ceased in 2002. Reliant concentrated on importing "speciality" vehicles from European manufacturers, including [[Piaggio]], [[Bultaco]] and [[Ligier]]. The firm also had plans to import the Indian [[San Storm]] sports car, but this plan never came to fruition.
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	This is a Preservation Society for all the four wheeled cars, which also caters for many homebuilt and limited production specials based upon the 4 wheeler components.		This is a Preservation Society for all the four wheeled cars, which also caters for many homebuilt and limited production specials based upon the 4 wheeler components.

	The Register has subscribers in [[Portugal]], [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], as well as the ~~[[United Kingdom\|~~GB]].		The Register has subscribers in Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, as well as the GB.

	The intentions of the Register are to keep track of as many of these cars as possible, at the same time giving their owners a means of communication. A bi-monthly 14 page A4 Magazine (The Mewsletter) is sent to subscribers. The sourcing of difficult spare parts and provision of technical information are prime priorities.		The intentions of the Register are to keep track of as many of these cars as possible, at the same time giving their owners a means of communication. A bi-monthly 14 page A4 Magazine (The Mewsletter) is sent to subscribers. The sourcing of difficult spare parts and provision of technical information are prime priorities.

Red marquis at 06:36, 2 February 2007

2007-02-02T06:36:29Z

New page

'''Reliant''' was a [[automobile|car]] [[manufacturing|manufacturer]] in [[England]]. The company was based at [[Tamworth]] in [[Staffordshire]] although since 2001 it has moved to nearby [[Cannock]].

==History==
Reliant was founded in 1935 by T L Williams to take over making the [[Raleigh (bicycle)|Raleigh]] 3 wheeler delivery van which he had designed in 1933 and Raleigh no longer wished to make. It was powered by a 750 cc V twin engine to the rear wheels through a 3 speed gearbox and shaft drive. In 1939 the engine was replaced by Reliant's version of the straight four cylinder 747cc [[Austin 7]] side-valve engine. In 1952 a four seat car version was launched and in 1956 the bodywork was changed to glass fibre.

The company is notable for building composite-bodied specialist vehicles, such as the [[Reliant Scimitar]], [[Reliant Sabre]] and [[Reliant SS1]] sports cars, and the three-wheeled [[Reliant Robin]], [[Reliant Regal]] and [[Reliant Rialto]] economy cars.

Reliant also produced the 1970s fun car, the [[Bond Bug]], a sporty three wheeler designed by the [[Ogle Design|Ogle]] designer Tom Karen.

Reliant also built a four wheeled version of the Reliant Robin called the [[Reliant Kitten]] ; the forerunner to this was the [[Reliant Rebel]] and between 1983 and 1990 a utility / pickup vehicle called the [[Reliant Fox]] (this car was based on an original [[MEBEA]] development on Reliant mechanicals and was jointly developed for production by MEBEA and Reliant; it had originally been built in [[Greece]] by this Greek company between 1979 and 1983). They also made a small 3 wheeled commercial vehicle called the [[Reliant TW9]], later sold by other companies as the Ant, which was basically a Chassis / Cab onto which a custom rear body was fitted and used by public utility companies.

Most of these quirky and distinctly British small cars used Europe's first mass-produced lightweight overhead valve aluminium alloy engine, initially 598 cc but enlarged through the years to a final 848 cc in [[1975]]. (Early Reliant three-wheelers used an engine derived from the 747cc 1930s [[Austin (car)|Austin]] [[Austin Seven|Seven]] ). Reliant's own aluminium alloy engine is also used as the replacement for the Austin Seven engine by the [[750 Motor Club]] in their [[Formula 750]] motor sport.

Reliant's expertise in the area of composite car body production has also seen the company produce lightweight body shells for [[Ford RS200]] Rally cars and new Glass Fibre Bodied London Taxis, the MetroCab - the first to have full wheelchair provision, manufactured by a division of Kamkorp.

Reliant has provided designs to several other manufacturers, including [[Autocars Co. Ltd.|Autocars]] in [[Israel]] and [[Otosan]] in [[Turkey]] in the [[1960s]], and [[MEBEA]] in [[Greece]] and [[Sipani]] in [[India]] in the [[1970s]].

In 2001, production rights for the Reliant Robin were sold to a Sudbury based film called B&N Plastics, but production ceased in 2002. Reliant concentrated on importing "speciality" vehicles from European manufacturers, including [[Piaggio]], [[Bultaco]] and [[Ligier]]. The firm also had plans to import the Indian [[San Storm]] sports car, but this plan never came to fruition.

== Reliant Kitten Register ==
This is a Preservation Society for all the four wheeled cars, which also caters for many homebuilt and limited production specials based upon the 4 wheeler components.

The Register has subscribers in [[Portugal]], [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], as well as the [[United Kingdom|GB]].

The intentions of the Register are to keep track of as many of these cars as possible, at the same time giving their owners a means of communication. A bi-monthly 14 page A4 Magazine (The Mewsletter) is sent to subscribers. The sourcing of difficult spare parts and provision of technical information are prime priorities.

==Models==
*[[Reliant Fox|Fox]] 1983-1990
*[[Reliant Kitten|Kitten]] 1975-1982
*[[Reliant Robin|Robin]] 1973-2002
*[[Reliant Rebel|Rebel]] 1964-1973
*[[Reliant Regal|Regal]] 1951-1972
*[[Reliant Rialto|Rialto]] 1981-1998
*[[Reliant Sabre|Sabre]] 1961-1964
*[[Reliant Scimitar|Scimitar GT]] 1964-1970
*[[Reliant Scimitar|Scimitar GTE]] 1968-1982
*[[Reliant Scimitar#SS1|SS1]] 1984-1990
*[[Reliant SS2|SS2]] 1988-1995
*[[Reliant TW9|TW9]] 1967-1987
*[[Reliant FW11|FW11]] 1977

==External links==
{{commonscat|Reliant vehicles}}
*[http://www.r3w.co.uk R3W The worlds largest Reliant forum]
*[http://www.sporting-reliants.com History of Reliant Sports Cars]
*[http://www.3wheelers.com/reliant.html History of Reliant]
*[http://www.danlockton.co.uk/rebel/early_years.html The early years of Reliant (1930s-50s)]
*http://www.reliant-motors.co.uk/
*http://www.reliantownersclub.co.uk
*http://www.3wheelers.com
*[http://www.3wheelers.com/uwx875l.html Reliant Regal Supervan III restoration project]
*[http://www.3wheelermodels.com Reliant scale models]
*[http://www.3wheelers.com/relarch.html Reliant Archives]
*

[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Makes]]