The Reliant Robin is a small three-wheeled car produced by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England. It was offered in several versions (Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3) over a period of 30 years. It is the second-most popular fibreglass car in history, with Reliant being the second-biggest UK-owned car manufacturer for a time.
Its steering wheel came off, its doors cracked in the wind, and it was voted the worst car ever. But the “plastic pig”, as it was called, was a good little product: a design classic, really. And it had a huge following that kept Reliant going for years. Some amazing people bought them, too – and even Princess Anne wanted one.
The Reliant Robin is staple material for comedian Jasper Carrott. However, perhaps two of the best known Reliants in British comedy are actually Reliant Regal Supervans — the dirty yellow van owned by the Trotter brothers in Only Fools and Horses, and the light blue van that always ends up getting tipped over, crashed into, bumped out of its parking space etc. by a British Leyland Mini in Mr. Bean.
Its steering wheel came off, its doors cracked in the wind, and it was voted the worst car ever. But the “plastic pig”, as it was called, was a good little product: a design classic, really. And it had a huge following that kept Reliant going for years. Some amazing people bought them, too – and even Princess Anne wanted one.
The Reliant Robin is staple material for comedian Jasper Carrott. However, perhaps two of the best known Reliants in British comedy are actually Reliant Regal Supervans — the dirty yellow van owned by the Trotter brothers in Only Fools and Horses, and the light blue van that always ends up getting tipped over, crashed into, bumped out of its parking space etc. by a British Leyland Mini in Mr. Bean.
