Just a slight correction.
It isn't a Reliant Robin, it is in fact a Reliant Regal Supervan (Reliant Rebel being the four wheeled version). Robins were the luxury version that were introduced later, even the radio almost worked, and a larger bored out engine, the four wheeled version was as far as I can remember, the Kitten. I think the last three wheeler they produced for the UK market, was the Rialto, complete with go faster stripes on the side.
The engines in these little motors were great. Mine was 600cc, but I pulled it a couple of years after buying it and stuck in the much loved higher power 700cc unit, and had a chappie work on the head for me, plus a Stromberg carb. It would cruise quite happily at 80mph and give 60MPG. This was in the days of maximum speed limits being 50 mph due to fuel shortages. I remember most vividly driving from Shrewsbury to Whitchurch and being overtaken by a high speed police car, waving at me to slow down. I don't know why he didn't book me, maybe it was because people wouldn't believe the speed I was doing in my 'Plastic Pig'.
Engines almost all aluminium to keep the kerb weight down (max 7cwt), and the engines were also used for such diverse things as engine driven pumps on fire engines (with it being very lightweight it could easily be carried by two people) and also don't forget that the engines were modified to be used in a lightweight racing class, formula 700 springs to mind (there used to be a place in Market Drayton that specialised in tuning the engines for racing).
Old bikers usually know this well, you played about on the bike during the summer, but drove a three wheeler during the winter. A thing you could do, and still can on a motorcycle licence.
All laughed at nowadays, with fun being poked at them, but in their day, they were a reliable and very economical means of transport. In fact, I am sure that if they were reintroduced, they would be a great hit with the commuter brigade, and if you made a convertible, with the modern day yuppies as well.
John
