Reliant Rialto's: how many left?
Discussion
Does anyone have any idea of how many Reliant Rialto vans (the estate version in particular) that are still around? I'm guessing there must be very few about in the UK.
Just wondering as one of my uncle's still has (not sure if he still does but did have until recently) his early 80s, I'm guessing prob 82, Rialto estate which he bought from new from a local motorcycle dealer (now long gone). I think he only ever use it for shopping trips, hospital appointments etc and never for long distance journeys. Sadly though, said 3 wheeler has been sat in his back garden for the past 20 plus years, no car cover over it to protect it from the elements and is (or the last I saw it a few years ago) was covered in green mould. I
Can't be many knocking about now.
Just wondering as one of my uncle's still has (not sure if he still does but did have until recently) his early 80s, I'm guessing prob 82, Rialto estate which he bought from new from a local motorcycle dealer (now long gone). I think he only ever use it for shopping trips, hospital appointments etc and never for long distance journeys. Sadly though, said 3 wheeler has been sat in his back garden for the past 20 plus years, no car cover over it to protect it from the elements and is (or the last I saw it a few years ago) was covered in green mould. I
Can't be many knocking about now.
Cheers for that. I'm surprised there are that many left.
Theres also a house a few streets from me where I often spy a blue 4 wheel Reliant Kitten that's sat in a garden, though despite it having never moved (!ve never seen it driving about) it appears to be in good condition, so the owner must be looking after it. Why do they just let them sit there as garden ornaments?. I can understand if the owners are too old or ill to use them anymore, but they should just sell them on to someone who can appreciate them and use them.
Theres also a house a few streets from me where I often spy a blue 4 wheel Reliant Kitten that's sat in a garden, though despite it having never moved (!ve never seen it driving about) it appears to be in good condition, so the owner must be looking after it. Why do they just let them sit there as garden ornaments?. I can understand if the owners are too old or ill to use them anymore, but they should just sell them on to someone who can appreciate them and use them.
Edited by Jukebag on Monday 9th March 12:32
There is no sensible reason to buy one, when you could get something like a Citroen C1.
Yet they command pretty strong prices, so they must have some sort of cult following.
They were an object of utter derision when I was a young lad, driven by strange old duffers, usually with a mongrel in the back.
Maybe hipsters want them to make some sort of ironic statement?
Does anyone have anything positive to say about them?
Yet they command pretty strong prices, so they must have some sort of cult following.
They were an object of utter derision when I was a young lad, driven by strange old duffers, usually with a mongrel in the back.
Maybe hipsters want them to make some sort of ironic statement?
Does anyone have anything positive to say about them?
The only Reliant 3 wheelers I've seen having value appeal would be the Regal Supervans, synonymous or course with Del Boy and Only Fools and Horses. The few I've seen for sale seem to be gaining a bit of value, as much as 8 grand. If it wasn't for Fools and Horses, and the fan convention appeal, no-one would be bothered about them. I suspect the ones that are still around will be snapped up to be done up painted yellow with "Trotters Independent Traders" lettering on the side.
They're not as bad as people make out. I've never seen or heard of my uncle's Rialto having any serious issues when he had it on the road; no tipping on its side that everyone thinks they do. My dad had an orange Robin for a short period in the early 90s. It was a pile of rubbish, but only because it hadn't been looked after by the previous owners. He only wanted a cheap motor to get to work in at the time, so it ticked that box lol, stark contrast with the other motors he owned over the years, everything from a VW Beetle, Land rover series 2, 2 Saab 900s, a Porsche 924 (only a midget could get in a 924 as they're so bloody cramped, and the engine was knackered), 3 Scimitars, JBA Falcon, E-Type kit car amongst a few more. As a young lad at the time the thought of embarrassment of being seen in a Robin Reliant never entered my mind, though I'm thankful I was never dropped off or picked up from school in it lol.
They're not as bad as people make out. I've never seen or heard of my uncle's Rialto having any serious issues when he had it on the road; no tipping on its side that everyone thinks they do. My dad had an orange Robin for a short period in the early 90s. It was a pile of rubbish, but only because it hadn't been looked after by the previous owners. He only wanted a cheap motor to get to work in at the time, so it ticked that box lol, stark contrast with the other motors he owned over the years, everything from a VW Beetle, Land rover series 2, 2 Saab 900s, a Porsche 924 (only a midget could get in a 924 as they're so bloody cramped, and the engine was knackered), 3 Scimitars, JBA Falcon, E-Type kit car amongst a few more. As a young lad at the time the thought of embarrassment of being seen in a Robin Reliant never entered my mind, though I'm thankful I was never dropped off or picked up from school in it lol.
Edited by Jukebag on Tuesday 10th March 21:34
Jukebag said:
Theres also a house a few streets from me where I often spy a blue 4 wheel Reliant Kitten that's sat in a garden,
I had a kitten estate for a couple of years - a good little low-maintenance car with exceptional economy. The parts not common with the 3 wheelers (so all the front end suspension) were difficult to source even 25 years ago. One 'owners' club' guy I spoke with before I bought it was of the opinion they were all worth a huge amount more, (I really shouldn't have listened to him 
) and when I came to sell it the buyers didn't seem abundant..... 
maybe I should have contacted him againThe 4 wheel Reliant Kitten is ok.
Mind you, it would have to be this one! Ginger Marshall's.
Remember it well watching Imps race in the 80s.
Pale blue car in second place at start and nearly takes the win at the end. Good 10min video.
(I know, it's hardly a real 'Kitten'!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKjvG97f8U0
Mind you, it would have to be this one! Ginger Marshall's.
Remember it well watching Imps race in the 80s.
Pale blue car in second place at start and nearly takes the win at the end. Good 10min video.
(I know, it's hardly a real 'Kitten'!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKjvG97f8U0
Blimey .. just read this on the space frame Imp ...
http://anarchadia.blogspot.com/2013/05/vintage-thi...
Hats off to their ingenuity ..
Reason they were popular back in the 60s and 70s was because you only need a motorcycle licence to drive one so when a working man had a family they either did what my dad did and put a sidecar on a bike or got a reliant or similar all the weather protection without the test. I had an uncle who had a reliant rebel and it became mine for a time cue neon green furry interior loud exhaust and big wheels on the back by Wolfrace slot mags oh and a big cb aerial! Class
Dr Jekyll said:
Pat H said:
Dr Jekyll said:
I always expected the Bond bug to get a cult following but it doesn't seem to.
Oh I dunno.Over ten grand for a decent Bug!
I thought they were extinct.
RazerSauber said:
There's one not far from me on the drive with a Z3.
Looks a bit weathered but not scrap. Don't think it moves much as this is August 2018 and I swear both cars were in the same position.
The cars can't move because the owner it trapped in the house by the Reliant kittten parked in front of the door!Looks a bit weathered but not scrap. Don't think it moves much as this is August 2018 and I swear both cars were in the same position.
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