The Reliant Three-Wheeler 1935-1973

• Includes 5cwt -12cwt, Regent, Prince Regent, Regal and Bond Bug

• Detailed history of Reliant’s cars and vans

• Details of Two Strokes special versions

Founded in 1935 by T. L. Williams in Tamworth, the Reliant Motor Company produced three-wheeler vehicles that met the need for an economical form of motoring.

During the company’s heyday, it provided the motorcyclist with a whole new means of transporting the family in comfort whilst its commercial range of vehicles served everyone from the local butcher to the largest of organisations.

Reliant began producing the humble three-wheeler van powered by JAP and Austin 7 engines in the 1930s followed by girder fork vans using its own side-valve engine in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Regal range introduced a new 5cwt version of the van and the 1950s saw the development of the side-valve range to be followed by overhead-valve variants powered by Reliant’s aluminium engine in the 1960s and 1970s. The Regal 16cwt pickup and the TW9 three-wheelers were made both for the export and later the domestic market. The company was also responsible for the iconic wedge-shaped Bond Bug, manufactured by Reliant but bearing the Bond name.

Special versions of the Regal — the TS Safari and the TS GT produced by Two Strokes Ltd — complete the history of the first 40 years of this iconic British motor manufacturer.