Reliant Regal - the world's best selling 3 wheeled car
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- The Reliant Regal came to market in the early 50s, but by 1969 when this particular car was sold, they’d really worked to move things forward and this was known on paper as the MK7 - but most just refer to it as the Regal.
Later cars like this you’ll note have received a bit of a face lift from the earlier Reliants, this job was undertaken by the late, great Tom Karen; a name you might’ve heard before because he was the genius behind the design of many iconic 20th century designs like the Raleigh Chopper, Bond Bug and Reliant Scimitar GTE; amongst many other things.
This particular car started life as a 3/30 - the 3/30 model is named as such because the 3 represents the 3 wheels and the 30 represents the 30bhp available to the discerning Regal driver. Although the brochure does only promise 29bhp - but we’ll overlook that.
It’s now badged as a 21E - a special edition introduced for both saloon and van in 1967. The owner has really put so much love and time into making this an absolute treat with all the accessories and these special 21 extras are as follows:
Metallic paint finish in three glamour tones, although this one has been repainted to match a B&Q shade chart; which I love. Carpet covered heelboards, carpeted footwell surrounds, interior paintwork matched to exterior, for reference, this basically meant internal bits were painted in the grey primer colour which sat under the paint. Luxury interior trim fittings, ammeter in chrome bezel, chrome plated boot hinges and an oil pressure gauge; once again sitting in the chrome bezel.
Padded sun visors which swivel for both driver and passenger, chromed over riders to front and rear, Lucas spot and Lucas fog. You’ll note the spots on the front are both spots and not a fog - this is a deliberate choice to keep it looking symmetrical and smart. Chromed hubcaps, decorative full circle wheel trims for rear wheels and a locking petrol cap.
And in addition to this, a whole host of other extras including a spare wheel with a cover, a faux leather steering wheel glove, chrome plated bonnet hinges to match the glamorous ones on the boot and chrome filler strip in all window surrounds.
Actually when you look at the list, it not only shows you how many delicate extra touches you got, but also how much effort the owner has gone to to find everything on the list! If you’re wondering how much this cost as an upgrade when buying your car, it was an additional £60, but to buy it all seperately was £100 according to the Reliant brochure.
Engine wise, you got the 700cc four cylinder high efficiency overhead value, water cooled engine. I mention the engine being aluminium later on, but to clarify, the car was fitted with a die cast alunimum head and a die cast aluminium block with removable wet liners - which as a huge selling point.
The transmission was 4 forward speeds and reverse, with synchro on top, second and third.
Brakes are hydraulically operated internal expanding to all wheels and the steering is Burman Douglas type.
Whilst we talk about wheels, let’s talk turning circle too - it’s 24ft or just over 7.3 metres for those who don’t think in feet and inches like me!
For my lovely viewers overseas who have never seen one of these before, to give you some perspective on size, they’re 135 inches/3.43 metres long and 58.5 inches/1.48 metres.
And look, , I know you’re going to mention Del Boy’s van in the comments, but my favourite little fact on this one is that the Regal van was actually just called the Supervan. They used both a Supervan II and Supervan III in filming.
Another interesting statistic is that the Regal is probably one of the only cars in the world where the saloon variant is rarer than the van - which is due in part to the popularity of only fools and horses and the saloons being broken to keep these valuable vans on the road.
If you want to see more of this cool little car’s resto and how it came to be, I’ve popped a link in the description below. But now, let’s hop inside and look at that dash!
Owner's TH-cam channel: www.youtube.co...
Love how you had the car painted to match your outfit😊
Our Steph's got class and clout. Not just yer average girlie, y'know. 😄
@@michaelstamper5604 😂 yep - absolutely
Brilliant comment 😂
Hahahaha. Imagine! I colour matched off an old pic. So happy it all looked bang on in real life 😂😂😂
@@idriveaclassic
Incredible match to your frankly on point eye shadow too!
Three typical symbols of United Kingdom for me, a man born and living in the Czech Republic: London doubledeckers, black cabs and these three-wheeled tiny Reliant cars :). The Reliant can't be more british! Thanks for the review, it was a great work!
I have a 1969 21E, saloon myself. I drive around in And I'm in Tamworth Staffordshire. Close to where the old Reliant factory was .
Lovely outfit Steph 😊👍
Thank you! Had loads of comments on it. It’s been a big hit
Brilliant love x
My late Grandad had one of those! He had several Reliants over the years.
Love the colour coordinated outfit Steph.... Co-op blue!
That 60’s trouser suit just complements the lovely lines of that Regal so perfectly
Thanks!
The resin rocket !
Your outfit matches the car as usual! I always look forward to seeing your weekly car videos.
Looks like Steph's head is levitating above the car. Spooky!
Yeah I was busy so I just sent my head down to review 😉😉😉
Lovely as always and you are looking great. Take care, thankyou. 😊
I used to own a 21e but mine didn't have those fancy door trims. In 1977 I actually went on my honeymoon in it all the way from Kent to Dorset including motorways and it was fine at 60mph though a bit noisy so I had the cassette player up loud, no radio as too much interference being glass fibre. Seeing that one brought back a lot of memorys thank you.
Just to let you know, those "fancy" door trims are just the early fibreglass trims fitted to the pre-facelift 3/25 models. They are far superior to the later type, and this was probably Reliant trying to save money/labour on each car produced.
My mate put a Honda fire blade engine in one of these, it was scary and very fast 👍
These always bring a smile to my face, my Dad had a Regal Supervan before he passed his driving test and I remember being driven around in it as a child. He bought it and it promptly broke down, the garage he bought it from wanted to charge him a small fortune to repair it and he got himself a Haynes manual and fixed it himself. That was the beginning of a 30 year career as a car mechanic.
After he passed his test in 1975 he upgraded himself to a Vauxhall Viva HC.
That car is outstanding. I love the colour and attention to detail. Also, knockout outfit Steph.
Thanks ❤️❤️❤️
Great 3 wheeler !
Had a smile on my face all the time watching this Steph. Great little car and fantastic renovation done by the owner. Loving the matching trouser suit too very elegant.
Thank you! It’s one I like wearing and I’ve finally found a car deserving of it for review.
Nicely colour coordinated Steph. 🙂
This Regal looks really well done. Credit to the owner.
He’s done an amazing job. Looked better on the day than I remembered, a real show stopper.
The attraction of the Reliants was being able to drive them on a full motorcycle licence....I had a MKIII Supervan for a few years in the 1970's untill I passed my car test then moved onto four wheels....
Same here, I still needed loads of lessons!
My dad did the same. He only had an old "pop pop" as we called it in those days.
Memories 😊
I had a Reliant van for a while around 69/70 which was an upgrade from a Lambretta as I had to drive far to work in the winter, until I was old enough to take a 4 wheel car test. Drove it up the M1 and M6 a few times. Watch out for the crosswind overtaking trucks. Could be scary. Performance was pretty lively too, even with up to 4 guys in the back😂
@John-boy For a few months I made regular trips into Wales on the M4...Had some "interesting" trips across the Severn Bridge when it was windy!.😂😂....
It's a teal world, someones obsession, your correct you are a star for a day
Omg! That trouser suit 🥰😍🥰 and the colour match is perfect!!! My uncle had a Reliant - he had the Robin - brings back a lot of memories! Great video as always! ❤
Thanks my love. Hope you’re well xx
Really makes me smile how you often match your outfit to the car, such a touch of class! As always informative and entertaining in equal measure.
Thank you 🦚🦚🦚
The owner has done a fantastic job with this car. I have to say that Reliant three wheelers are not for me though. I have driven a couple in years gone by (many years, as it happens) and found them quite nerve racking in anything other than perfect conditions. Still, each to their own and many congrats to the owner for doing such a great job with this one.
Love the badges, they make sense whichever way up it is!
The little Reliant engines in these, and the later Robin, is a little jewel of a thing - they sound wonderful!
I don't think there is much in the way of baffles in those Reliant silencers, they are quite rorty!
Wow! This takes me back. My dad had one of these when I was a wee boy in the 1970's. It was a similar colour to this too if somewhat less vibrant. I remember a family outing to Whitby and the car wasn't powerful enough to pull up one of the streets with us all (mum, dad & 3 kids) inside, so we all had to get out and walk while dad thrashed the nuts off the car to get up the hill. Dad later upgraded to a 2.0 litre Ford Corsair. What a contrast 😎. Happy memories.
What a simply wonderful car! I have always been passionate about small cars, and miss them so much here In the USA. This Regal has style and poise. Thank you for taking the time to appreciate this vehicle.
I had one, everybody laughed at it but, as somebody with a motorcycle I found it brilliant in the winter. I drove it all over the country.
My mate Mike Robinson’s dad had a purple one of these when we were teenagers, we called it Robbos Rocket 😂
Perfect colour match you are wearing today,
Been a passenger in the late 80,s in a robin and remember the heat on my legs from the engine, I was glad to get out to be honest on 5 mile journey.
Back in the 70’s I remember seeing one overturned at Honey Traffic lights in Huddersfield ,
Morning Steph, what a pristine example of what for me is an iconic vehicle and that one is fantastic. Great video as always.
Thanks Vince x
What a great start to my Sunday with a cup of tea watching your latest great vid. What a beautiful little car, a real head turner. You Look fab in your outfit, I love how you always dress appropriately for the vehicle your driving, it’s a really nice touch that’s so important in my opinion, finishes the whole look with the car perfectly. Thanks for all you hard work putting these together for everyone.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, means a lot x
I had a Regal in 1976 and went on holiday from Hull to Blackpool but not on the motorways. On another occasion I was driving with 4 of us in the car when I hit a pot hole and the nearside rear leafspring snapped and came through the floor. Happy memories. I traded it in for a HB Viva.
Bloody hellll 😂😂😂
Lovely example a credit to the owner, great review and colour coordinated outfit 😊
Thanks. I try x
My dad had one in 1969 engine was bomb proof he then had a robin estate which I drove the suspension was quite hard but handled really well at speed around corners
Absolutely fabulous video as always Steph!
I think most of them had a dramatic end in banger car racing. 😂. We used to watch them at Mildenhall in Suffolk. When two cars made contact they would explode like lightbulbs. The B52 pilots flying from the local US airbase flew over the track. They must have thought the locals were mad 😂. Great to see such a lovely survivor.
Stunning condition especially the bodywork, great colour coordination with your outfit
Thank you 🦚🦚🦚
i had a Reliant regal 3/30. i thought they were great fun to drive, you just had to know its limits. I remember driving down the M5 at 55/60 mph and lorries over taking me,
as they did they seemed to suck you towards them as the car was so light.
Only drive one once and that was once too often . Nice restoration though . I was nearly deaf when I reached my destination and my legs had turned to jelly with fear !
I bought one but a super van after I passed my motor bike test back in the 1970's. Had some great fun from it going down the moter way and over taking the standard cars. the faces from the other drives was a picture. Greatcar
What a lovely little car. Great video.....thank you.
I've watched a lot of videos about Reliant's products, and I don't think I've ever seen a survivor in such stunning condition. Dare I say it, that is a pretty little machine! The Regal must've been bang up to date in terms of styling when this series of the model had its debut - not bad for what was a simple, basic economy car. It is charming - that's the word I was searching for!
What a lovely job made of the car and my mate had one but it was a wreck so it's nice to see one like that
FASHION ON POINT!!!!! Great vid, excellent review- I truly love your work❤
I was sat in mine once this is 25 years ago
In the village
When suddenly a group of Chinese or Korean, maybe Japanese people appeared
They were getting down on the floor and looking underneath and taking photographs , that was a regular occurrence, whenever it’s encountered people from the far east
The filming looked like The Pennines, either way another very enjoyable film, many thanks
We were near hebden bridge ❤️
Your a brave Lady Steph , no Euro Encap safety standards, only three wheels , no airbags or seatbelts, very scary.
That outfit colour match is divine!
Aw Jon thank you!!!!
I think the rear window looks very similar to the Ford Anglia 105E? The way it slants inwards! Very clever and stays cleaner! I had several Anglia's. Including 2 of the earlier 100E's. Great video Steph! You're looking Fantastic! Thank you.
Thanks Andrew! Deffo a real winner and didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Thought I’d feel neutral, got out feeling keen and happy to recommend.
Reliant actually came out with that window design before the Anglia
@@thedeadstig123 That's very interesting. I never knew that. Thank you.
I know I'd rather have a Bond than a Reliant tripod, but this is stunning. Thanks for the video Steph.
Wow the paint job on that is stunning 👌👌
My Dad bought his new 65/66 ( blue) and he loved it and was really reliable putting Mums 65 Cortina mk1 to shame in winter starting. I remember how useless the door handles were to close and the smell of warm fibreglass but it was very nippy. Sadly while waiting at a roundabout a bus went into the back and ended poor Ermintrude as it was called as the chassis was beyond repair though Dad did manage to drive it home! Thanks for bringing those memories back
Love it. My father had a friend when I was a kid that had one of these. Remember the experience well. Even scared me at 8 years old lol. Love your matching outfit too. Great stuff
As a paramedic in the 80's I attended an rtc involving one of these,it had rolled and the body had literally turned into confetti and all that was recognisable was the chassis and the seats 😮
That’s absolutely dreadful 😭
@@idriveaclassic the driver walked away but was shaken to say the least 😮 30mph zone outside of Tranmere Rovers football club,the crumple zone is between the front and back bumper 😊 Certainly focused the driver on safe driving ..
I rolled one and it did no damage to it
My Regal Mk 5 sustained a hefty sideswipe. No damage apart from some scratches. I found the bodywork to be very tough.
@@johnbristow8099 according to Peter Wheeler of TVR fibreglass is a fantastic energy absorber.
Thanks for another great video
Thanks Stephanie, started my covered motoring with a Supervan!!!! Loved it!!!!
Fantastic video Steph and I love the way your outfit matches the colour of the car.
Enjoyable Review. You always pick the oddballs and I love that. And Stylishly matching the car as always. Great job.
Excellent restoration and in a great looking color.
Dad had a Super van 3, we had to put weights over the back axle to stop it skipping about 😂
That's a credit to it's owner. Excellent review👍
I had a new one in 1968. Used it for years and sold it to my sister. Great little car for doging about locally. We did use it to visit my parents 40 miles away which included some motorway miles.
Your comment made me laugh, the first time I read it I thought there was a g missing, thinking that's brave, but on reflection a D is more likely! Have a good day!
Wow, you're amazing, the car is amazing, the video is amazing! Made my Monday morning!!
Nicely blended in with the car
Had one age 16 (passed test on Lambretta) to go to college ,van type and even older shape loved it until winter when road snow covered and just two tracks where normal cars had gone before but left me with center and steering wheel in deep snow.thankyou.
Fantastic! My Dad had a 3/30 when I was a kid. Reliant drivers always waved at each other when passing. It was definitely not fun driving on the motorway to Butlins! 😀
I remember the Reliant "wave". Funnily enough, my Mrs has an MX5, and they seem to do the same now.
Well done Steph. This brought back memories for my wife when in the late 60's, she, 2 sisters, Mum, Dad & Gran all went from Bolton to North Wales in an identical Regal. Happy days!
I love that. Back when people had a bit of grit. Now people moan about driving the SUV 100 miles 😂
Another great review, thank you.
Wow you look great steph and the car .Great video
Loved my regal van . Had it 8 years and did 60 000 miles with no great dramas . Fix it on the side of the road a couple of times with a very basic toolkit . Reliable cheap to run went everywhere in it . Fond memories of a great little car .
Thanks for another fun review Steph. Its really interesting to compare the Regal with the other 3 wheelers you have tested. Certainly more like a car and less like a hard top go-cart than some of them! The presentation of this example is superb, its a credit to its owner.
Stunning looking Regal, testement to it's owner and well done on managing to co-ordinate with your matching colour scheme.
As always a excellent review Steph.
I love it! I grew up around Reliants, and this takes me right back! What a credit to the owner! Thanks Steph 👍
You seem so relaxed behind the wheel. I think I would have sweaty hands and armpits driving a threewheeler…. Just looking at it freakes me out. You’re a cool chick Steph 💪🏻
Both pleasing and frightening in equal measure,well said..Beautiful color choice i really like
it. And an outfit to match well done. If i had one i wouldn't loan it to anyone. Much like
i don't let anyone ride the three wheel bicycle i built for my dad. Basically if you are on a three
wheel anything you've to trust that other drivers behave themselves and not do stupid things
in front of you. (which they won't). A wonderful restoration on this one..
I too was smiling all the time watching this Steph. Great presentation, well done.
I remember one of my Grandma and Grandad's neighbours having one, from about 1967 until the mid 70s. Only used for driving to the shops on rainy days, as far as I could tell lol. It spent most of the time parked at the kerb because they either walked or got on the train. I always loved the fact that it was so different from all the Cortinas and Austin 1100s and Hillman Imps in the rest of the street. Nice to see you and the car in matching outfits too, Missis. Xx
I love stories like this xx
It's amazing, love it. It's got character by the bucket load. Thanks very much indeed for bringing this to us. People don't realise that Reliant were one of Britain's biggest manufacturers back in the day. You really do amazing work with your channel 👍👍
Fab fashion car coordination, as always!
Totally brilliant! Not only a great car but an excellent video in all respects.
What a mint looking car, with a very fashionable outfit to match.
Hi Steph. Great vid. I`ve had a couple Supervan IIIs in the past and loved them. It was recommended to change the wheels at about three monthly periods, (front to left rear, left rear to right rear, right rear to front), to let them wear evenly. Also you had to be careful not to burn the outside of your left leg if you let it rest against the engine door. Each car in the 50s/60s had character. Look forward to more vids.
That's a really nicely restored Reliant, a credit to the owner. I love the teal with red door cards.
These were everywhere when I was a kid. I lived quite local to Tamworth where they made them. I used to point at them and call them boat cars. ❤
Have fond memories of the reliant regal - my grandparents had one in green as well and used to travel a lot in it. They even had a trailer tent they used to tow with it, and travelled all over the country. Used to travel from Leeds down to Wales to visit us.
That's a lovely wee car, I've never seen one in a better colour 👌
Lovely looking car, like the colour.
Well presented.
Thanks Peter
I bought the van version new in 1970 - £505 on the road. The reg number was YEA 459H, brilliant little car The 21E version came with metallic paint. I swapped the original seats because i wore them out. I found that Triumph Herald seats fitted the vehicle and they were much more comfortable. I was driving the van when i was 16 at the time. I have also been on the motorways with it, they are ok until you go past a truck but you drive to conditions, no problems, when i sold the van it had 120,000 on the clock.
The owner of this Regal has done a very good job in restoring it, nice colour too. You mentioned the cabin noise and it is a good point but I would suggest that if you were upgrading from a motorbike the noise factor wouldn't matter to you. Back in the day they were everywhere but now you would be hard pressed to see one in a car park. Thank you Steph for another colour matched review! 👍👍
Thanks Stephen! Agree on the upgrade noise wise
Very cool ,, nice color ..
I thought I recognised the car. Haven't seen anything on his channel for a while so I hope all is OK. What a credit to the owner. Lovely video :-)
Great vid as usual Steph, thanks, had 2 of these many years ago. First was a over the hill regal saloon like this, but as a motorcycle rider it was great in the crap weather, although snowy roads were a bit alarming, as your single front steering wheel was in the middle of the car, and unable to straddle the unmasked snow like the 4 wheelers, which made for and interesting control experience! The ride in the car you tested here seemed quite smooth, I remember the one I had would shudder when pulling away from stopped. Also felt all the bumps, but that was back when the roads were properly maintained, god knows what it would be like now!. Then, had a supervan for a couple of years, which was newer, and a better experience. Finally sold it to a frozen biker who was glad of it, and went to 4 wheels. Remember they were good on fuel consumption, reliable, and went really well, the biker I sold it to said it would do 70 with ease, something I never did. On the odd occasion my girlfriend drove it she seemed to think it was the same as a normal car, leading to some alarm on my part when I was a passenger, and she sped around corners, not a good idea!! She didn’t turn it over, but it was close, so I put a couple of paving slabs in the back, more for my peace of mind than hers! Happy days!
My Uncle Den had 2 Reliants, following on from 3 sidecar outfits, ,one like that in yellow, and a red soft top, from a bit earlier, with an Austin 7 engine, with a racing conversion, which went like the proverbial. Being a sidecar man, he knew how to corner, that is , brake in a straight line, and power through. Then hope you don't have to emergency brake. I've always had a soft spot for them.
What a cute little car, I’ve always had a fond attraction to Reliant 3 wheelers, I once drove a Regal, sadly I never owned one.
My only 3 wheel experience was a 1993 Reliant Robin LX.
Great video Steph, I really enjoyed it❤.
I drove big motorcycles, when one was wrote off - I picked up a 3 pin plug - every day was an adventure, i’ve never driven a car
So many stories -I remember every time it used to rain, I couldn’t stop laughing, finding it hard to believe I wasn’t getting wet.
The first time it rained. I couldn’t work out the wipers and drove along with my head out of the window, laughing as I went.
It managed 97 miles an hour, but it took about an extra 5 feet compared with its width to keep in a straight line .
What a beautiful example of the breed. I am amazed. Nice work.
An Aussie friend was visiting the UK in the early 90s, as we were walking down King's Road Chelsea, Andrew shouts to me " Pete look at that" " look at what" I replied, " that car"
" what about it" I said. " it's only got three wheels" he couldn't believe what he was seeing, as he had never seen or heard of the Reliant.
Why there was a Reliant in posh Chelsea is anyones guess 😅
A lovely elderly lady in our village owned a yellow 1965 one, she was always pottering around in it, she gave up driving at 95 but she did make her centenary.
Another brilliant video from you Steph, interesting as always thank you.
Hahaha that’s funny. I guess it’s not a car suited to AU!
If that was the fashion police, I reckon they'd come to give you a commendation!
Matching the car colour too, really nice.
🙂
Haha thank you!!!
What a gorgeous car, it's total class! Never thought I'd say that about a Reliant 3 wheeler.
I remember this particular car from the first HubNut Social at The Motorist where I had the pleasure of meeting you. It really stood out for me because of the excellent condition and the fact that it's in my favourite colour, must be fun to have a drive in although I agree, not on the motorway!!
That’s the second time I saw it! I popped a note on it pre Covid. Mad how quickly time has passed.
@@idriveaclassic I know Steph, mad isn't it? I had to look back through my photos and thats 2 years ago this month!! Thankfully my storage is dated, but I knew I'd seen that gorgeous Regal before.
Fashion police 👮♀️😂. You’re looking well Steph ‘ I’m looking forward to watching this 👍x