Reliant Regent Van

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The Reliant Company can trace its roots back to the 1930s when, following the decision of the Raleigh Bicycle Company to cease production of their three-wheeled vehicles, Works Manager TL Williams and his colleague ES Thompson decided that there was still a market for this kind of transport and set about building their own version in the garden of Williams’ home in Kettlebrook, Tamworth.

It’s hardly surprising that the resultant machine resembled the Raleigh Karryall Van with which both men would have been familiar. Derived from motorcycle engineering practices, it was indeed little more than a motorcycle fitted with a box body and the fledgling Reliant Company was soon in business, operating out of a disused bus depot in Fazeley, Tamworth.

The latter half of the 1930s saw a variety of simple three-wheeled vehicles produced, initially using JAP motorcycle engines, but in 1938 Reliant began to use the four-cylinder 7hp Austin engine, a 747cc side-valve unit producing 14bhp at 3,500 rpm. Shortly afterwards Austin announced that they planned to stop the production of this engine, but were happy for Reliant to copy their design.

In 1946 Reliant introduced a slightly modified van called the Regent. Still visually similar to an oversized motorcycle, this simple three-wheeler was developed into a number of different models throughout the 1950s together with a four-seater car, the load capacity of the Regent increasing to 10cwt and being equipped with a few more luxuries such as sliding windows in the doors rather than canvas side screens. Perhaps the most significant innovation came in 1956 with the introduction of glass-fibre body panels to replace the aluminium ones. The Regent was eventually replaced by the Reliant Regal MkII 5cwt van in 1956.

Dating from September 1954, this aluminium-bodied Regent retains its pre-war appearance and charm. Little is known of its early history but it has had just one registered keeper since 1977, as evidenced by a green log book from that era and the current V5C. A retired coach builder, the owner acquired the vehicle as a 'pile of parts' and promptly set about a comprehensive rebuild which included making a new ash frame and new aluminium body panels, with new wire wheels, new paintwork and trim and a thorough mechanical overhaul.

Said to be in good running order, it has been very little used in recent years and will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being put back on the road. It comes with much technical literature relating to the model (including cut-away drawings), various old Reliant Club newsletters and a copy of The Book of the Reliant by John Thorpe (c.1968).

An ideal promotional vehicle for any small business, its compact dimensions mean that it would also look great displayed inside a trendy bar or café - although it could always be enjoyed as its makers intended by a new enthusiast owner. Pleasingly it still retains its original Devon registration number which is transferable and no doubt has a value of its own.