Reliant Regal

Key facts

Year

1953
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

747cc
Cylinders

In-line 4
Valves

Side
Output

16hp @ 4,000rpm
Performance

60mph
Price new

£362
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Reliant Engineering Co.

Launched at the 1952 Motor Cycle Show, the Regal was the first Reliant passenger car. The three-wheeled, four-seater convertible had an aluminium body and was powered by a 747cc engine derived from the Austin Seven. The Regal name continued a royal theme started with the Regent van. With fuel consumption of around 50mpg and a road tax of only £5, the Reliant Regal provided a practical and economical alternative to the motorcycle combination.

Reliant was established in 1935 by Tom Lawrence Williams, previously the designer of the Raleigh Safety Seven three-wheeler. When Raleigh dropped out of car manufacture, Williams set up Reliant to make simple three-wheeled delivery vans with motorcycle engines and front forks. Austin Seven engines were used from 1937 but these were soon superseded by Reliant’s own updated version of the same unit.