Reliant Robin Spin off Thread

[mrodoc]

Many years ago we were changing by the road to go caving in Devon. Up the lane came puttering one of those weird bullet shaped three wheelers. One wheel at the back I think. Heinkel or something. The nearside front wheel clipped the kerb and tipped the thing over on its roof. Fearing mortal injury to the incumbent we rushed down the lane to assist. We found a resigned farmers wife covered in shopping. " Oh this keeps happening " she said. We righted the thing and she puttered happily on her way. My mate's mum had a three wheeler. You had to lift the bonnet and stick your leg inside to kick start a motorcycle engine. There is a clip in a an old comedy where a three wheeler is nudged off the road by        a " normal " car. Anyone remember ? Back to Reliant's. There was much camaraderie with drivers who always waived at each other in passing. When in Somerset dont miss the Hayne's motor museum near Yeovil. Lots of motoring nostalgia there.
Our early caving trips were by way of a Ford Popular driven by my mate a poor student ( amply rich now he is retired ). He used to buy half a gallon of petrol a time. We were told to  " f8ck off " by one garage.

I think it was a Messerschmitt bubble car. I seem to remember, the lane was full of ice and snow and it skidded on that. We also commented on a dent and she said 'I did that last time!' We also gave her a nice cup of hot sweet tea as it was supposed to be good for shock. It was 1969

 

[paul]

https://youtu.be/QQh56geU0X8?t=2s

 

[mikem]

TOR's looks like a Regal (the Robin had a flat bonnet).

Mike

 

[Tripod]

My first car was a Morgan F super - a three wheeler I could drive on my motorbike license. Ford powered and stood 30" high, 36" to the top of the windscreen. I found this one at ?90 - my funds did not stretch to a V-twin powered one in top condition which were selling at round ?200 and I was inpatient anyway. Good and bad memories attached to this car, life changing and if it had been on the road more, life ending. 

 

[mikem]

Not a 3 wheeler but funniest thing I've ever seen was an original fiat 500 towing a kayak trailer - when one bounced, they both oscillated...

Mike

 

[moletta]

I have vague childhood memories of the bonnet strap breaking ( leather I think) on the family RR. The bonnet flipped up and completely blocked my father's view. I think it got replaced by a Ford Popular fairly soon afterwards. As for minis...I have endless stories about things that needed welding on the four I owned- usually for months until the MOT approached.

Thanks for the trip through memory lane!

 

[Roger W]

Regarding Minis, I remember many years ago a friend who had a Mini of which he was extremely proud, until some knowledgeable person pointed out that the front end and back end belonged to models of different years. 

When he took the carpets up, he could see the weld running right across the car... 

Going back to Reliants, the first time I took my new (to me!) Regal to the garage for some petrol, the pump attendant (yes, it was that long ago!) said "I'm sorry, sir, but it's running out as fast as I can put it in!"

The petrol tank in those things was a jerry can sort of affair - made from very thin metal - sitting at one side of the boot, and mine was corroded through like a colander.   

The dealer I'd bought it from did replace it for me - but I can't say I was altogether impressed.

 

[royfellows]

For my memories the golden age of trash started in the late 60s and progressed up through the 70s
Sixties cars were not bad, bar the Minis and 1100's.  My now late wife to be had an A40 Farina, good little motor. Then there were the Jags, real ones, and of course the Mets favourite, the Wolseley 6/110, colloquially known as the "6-10"

All these went in favour of Allegros, Marinas, Talbot Rattlers and other appalling stuff. Long may their rust piles dwindle.

 

[droid]

And Robins tended to be made up of random parts from Minis, Fiestas, with help (?) from the Prince of Darkness.....

 

[Laurie]

Early Range Rovers used dozens of Morris Marina parts.

 

[ropewalker]

I bought this Bond 3-wheeler in my first year at Leeds in 1970 - I paid ?4 for it and it served me well for  3 years, when I sold it for scrap and got ?5! It gets a mention in Dave Yeandle's book.
Terrifyingly, it could do 70 mph; I remember being stopped by the police on the way back to Leeds from the Dales. The policeman's first words were "What the hell is that - is it safe to come near?" The photo was taken on a digging trip to Penyghent Gill with Graham Sumner (pictured). Fond memories.

 

[Tripod]

The last Bond made before Reliant took the company over was the 875. This had a detuned Hillman Imp engine, which itself was a detuned version of the original Coventry Climax engine. Hillman Imp transmission and suspension was used (rear axle assembly) and Imp size wheels all round. Motorcycle Mechanics magazine did a road test when this car first appeared and stated that a journey had been made at an average speed of over 80mph - with the comment to the effect but of course this would have been illegal  . Car and van versions were made and it was an example of the latter I once drove - yes, it would do 90mph and stuck to the road well considering the one wheel in front configuration.