Reliant Robin
Spanning four decades, the Reliant Robin was a familiar, if eccentric, fixture on Britain’s roads; an object of amusement to those who didn’t understand its ultra-thrifty ways and a source of pride to the many thousands of owners who did. During a time of deep recession in 1970s Britain, this stylish little car from Tamworth became a massive hit, boasting low fuel consumption and cheap tax. Reliant couldn’t make them fast enough, until a culture of more sophisticated car buyers saw it go into eventual decline. From its beginnings in 1973 to its demise almost thirty years later, Giles Chapman traces the colourful history of the most famous and iconic three-wheeled car in Britain.
GILES CHAPMAN is an award-winning writer and commentator on the industry, history and culture of cars. He has been editor of Classic & Sports Car, the world’s best-selling classic car magazine, and since 1994 he’s worked as a freelancer across a huge variety of media. His books include The Worst Cars Ever Sold, 100 Cars Britain Can Be Proud Of and the Cars We Loved series. He lives in Kent.