Look Who it Was Random video

RELIANT RACE AT NEC AUTOSPORT SHOW

2,816 views · Published 23 January 2013 · 2:51 · Indexed 25 September 2026

Channel: 2wheels2strokes4ever · 2013 · Autos & Vehicles

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Now for a limited time only is something a little bit quirky and amusing, and a subject very close to my heart - Reliant racing!

I learned to drive in one of these and owned one for over 3 years (a light brown Robin estate), and used to tow my 2 racing motorcycles on a trailer to all the meetings with it.

Let's now clear up a few myths about these marvellous machines:  

Firstly there is no such thing as a "Robin Reliant", and secondly Del Boy from "Only Fools" NEVER owned or drove a Reliant Robin, his was the Robin's predecessor the Reliant Regal Supervan with the smaller 750cc engine and larger wheels - a replica of which was blown up during the Olympic closing ceremony in London a few months ago.

The Robin was ultimately followed by the Rialto with the wedge shaped front end which you can see in the video, but the Robin came back a few years later.

For anyone outside of the UK this machine exploited a legal loophole in the law and was able to be driven on a full motorcycle licence without driving lessons, hence it's success.  The vehicle is very light as the body is made from glassfibre, and as a result was quite fast at around 98mph (for mine anyway).

Nicknames given to the Reliant vehicles include "Plastic Pig" and "The Wheelbarrow"

This video is a demonstration as part of the Autosport live action show at the NEC recently

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