Reliant Regal Supervan III

Key facts

Year

1971
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

700cc
Cylinders

4
Valves

Overhead
Output

29hp @ 5,000rpm
Maximum speed

70mph
Price new

£437 (lovely jubbly)
Owner

Beaulieu Enterprises Limited
Manufacturer

Reliant Motor Company Limited, Tamworth

Possibly the nation’s most famous three-wheel vehicle, this Reliant Regal Supervan III (often mistakenly referred to as a ‘Robin’) featured in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. For a time it was the only transport for the Trotter family of Del, Rodney, Grandad and Uncle Albert until Del Boy went ‘upmarket’ and purchased a Capri Ghia. What a plonker!

105,824 Regal vans and saloon cars were produced by Reliant between 1963 and 1972. The bodywork was of all glass fibre unit construction. With a maximum loading capacity of 50 cubic feet, one example was, in 1968, driven around Mallory Park racing circuit with sixteen people crammed in the back! Cushtie!