One Wheel Less: 1983 Reliant Rialto 2 GLS Estate
Think the three-wheeler is odd? Consider this: the first self-powered vehicle was a steam-engined three-wheeler, with a single front wheel. Invented by Frenchman Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot, it likely inspired the 1886 Benz Patent Motorcar, also a three-wheeler with a single front wheel. And then there’s the incentive factor: in many countries, owners could escape various motoring taxes if their vehicles had motorcycle engines, only three wheels, or were diminutively horsepowered. In Britain, a guy could drive a three-wheeler on a motorcycle license. In synch with this stream of inventiveness and incentive, Britain’s Reliant Motor Company made three-wheelers from 1935 until the mid-1990s. Here on eBay from Motoexotica is a 1983 Reliant Rialto 2 GLS estate, bid to $4750, reserve not met. This car is located in the dealer’s St. Louis, Missouri showroom, and it’s been under long-term ownership since 1989. It does need work, so better bring a trailer!
Its 850 cc four-cylinder water-cooled engine is situated behind the front wheel, so it invades the cabin (this photo is a Robin, configured similarly). Quarters are tight: the series 2 Rialto was designed with service panels to blunt the frustration of owners who just couldn’t reach the motor for servicing, and consequently, didn’t. The Rialto 2 engine was reworked by the factory to achieve a higher compression ratio; it puts out about 39 hp, and thanks to the car’s fiberglass bodywork, 70 mph is achievable. The gearbox is a four-speed manual. Yes, you can tip a Rialto, but you have to try pretty hard, unlike Top Gear which engaged in aftermarket engineering to roll a Robin over at every corner! The seller notes that the brakes and fuel system need work. A low mileage reading on the odometer is belied by pedal wear.
The GLS received upscale trim – the seats were corduroy instead of vinyl – and a few other extras including a clock on the dash, a decal set, and black wrap-around bumpers. This interior is in fair condition; perusing the photos shows fading, tears in the upholstery, and scratches in the finishes. This car comes with its owner’s manual and a basic tool kit.
The underside reveals the Rialto’s very basic construction. Note that although the tire tread is adequate, the seller says the tires are old and should be replaced. Nicks, scrapes, and discoloration are scattered all over the body, though nothing is so jarring as to be offputting on a car that’s likely to sell fairly cheaply. Meanwhile, owners seem to like their Robins and Rialtos but not enough to pay much for them. Overseas, high three digits and very low four digits are typical prices (GBP), making the current bid here seem generous. What would you be willing to pay for this three-wheeled Brit?
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Comments
LS conversion! I was in the UK in ’92 and got a ride in one of these.
It didn’t fall ever either.
Watch out for Mr Bean as he dislikes these cars…
Is he the bloke who made Bean cars?
Garry
Mr Bean is a funny British comedy.
https://youtu.be/FMR70aZoJyw?si=JzBhLRXPqxQ6u067
Thanks “Who’s Bean”! I put that remark in wondering if there are any Bean counters or owners on this site.
The Bean was a car driven by Francis Birtles on some of his many adventures. That car resides in one of Canberra’s museums. Although I think that it is being driven, at the moment, on a re-run of his London to Melbourne escapade.
Ahh…the first Sunday in November a bit damp with sunshine in London town for RM Sotheby’s sponsored London to Brighton trek.
Veterancarrun dot com gives the details and 2023 entry list including #11, 1898 Marot Gardon trike – #24, 1899 Decauville first manufacturer w/independent suspension and sliding pillar at that – #09, 1898 Leon Bollee two wheels front one rear.
Louwman Museum’s #14 the 1905 Spyker from Genevieve film had to be pushed clear of the start line after..oh..5 minutes of cranking failed to fire the film star.
Pass on the Reliant Rialto though a Kitten might…
Is it a bird or plane? NO, it’s **********! Does anyone remember that! Maybe I am too old! Is it a car or a cycle? NO, it’s a Reliant Rialto!! I like British cars for driving but this a my exception. I think it belongs as museum piece or garage pet! The previous ‘Mr Bean’ comment says it all. I alway thought this car could tip over nose wise on any turn. What was the purpose of its build? This example is in amazing condition for 40+ years. It actually has nice lines if it were a 4 wheeler!! ( my opinion). As a 3 wheeler, it looks like the front wells were just ‘glassed over’! I’m glad it was posted. It was fun to write about. Sorry, I would only drive it in a large mall parking lot that was empty! Roads would not be fun!!
They could be driven in the U.K. with a motorcycle licence. Many older people did not want to invest money into a ” proper ” licence – and went for the Reliant…mostly, it was called ” plastic pig ” – and scrapyards in England did not accept them because of the fiberglass – body.
It was cheap to insure, too.
To my knowledge, they made them until the beginning of the 2000’s.
4750 for a plastic pig is….out of the world.
The ad says top speed of 100mph! Can you imagine trying that on this three-wheeler? As long as you are going perfectly straight, maybe, but don’t try any quick maneuvers.
Looks like an electric razor.
I love the Top gear episode “Rolling a Reliant Robin”, check it out on Youtube for a laugh.
I am quite keen for the tadpole layout (two in front, one in back), but a single front wheel seems like a *problem* to a problem, rather than a solution.
I was rolling on the floor in tears laughing the first time I saw Jeremy Clarkson driving that Robin and rolling it over on practically every turn. Now ive got to go watch that again!!!
Is that a radiator and heater core all in one? They sure put some unique engineering into these. I like that full frame and separate body, doesn’t look like rust would ever be a problem. It seems 3 wheeled cars never really caught on big, but quite a few tried. The Peel, Davis Playboy, Morgan and Cushman made 3 wheeled mail carts to name a few. Here in the U.S. being technically motorcycles they get around a lot of the safety standards.
Two in front one in rear is the only way to go..Morgans, Berkeleys and some of the new “trikes” are true sports cars that handle just like four wheelers. These are ugly and “tippy’..no thanks..
The new owner could drive it in reverse for extra stability, but
I think only the hot GT cars got that reverse gear handling package.
I would rather take my chances on a 2 wheel motorbike and hope to fare better than depending on this vehicle as my daily driver.
Good luck to the seller, and to the new owner as well if they plan on converting this vehicle into a luxury ultralight aircraft.
Fellow, in New York, imported a half a dozen Robins maybe 20 years ago. It ran fine, but the interior was pretty darn small and they weren’t terribly practical because….. you couldn’t avoid a pothole or a bump, if the front wheel didn’t get it, one of the rear wheels did!!!
The penalty of being a cheapskate. What are the benefits of having a motorcycle license over an automobile license other than presumed cost? You save some up-front cost in license, insurance and acquisition. In exchange you get an ugly under-powered contraption that gives you a crappy driving experience, is a problem to maintain and to dispose of when you have finally have had enough. Over its lifetime you will probably offset whatever savings you achieved by having to compensate for all of its shortcomings. This is the car for people who hate cars and taxes as designed by tax attorneys and accountants.
In the UK it was not just “being a cheapskate”.I owned two Berkeley T60s after I graduated from my “very cool” Lambretta.But the main reason was that I, and my two best pals who also had Berks, could drive them and keep our grirlfriends “rlatively” dry and warm all on a motorcycle picense.In the UK it was taking over 6 months to get a test and another six monts waiting if you failed.That was the main incentive for getting coll T60s that handled as well as their four wheel brothers.I know that for a fact because I belonged to the Enthusists Club and took on a few four wheels on some very spirited drives..and I handled just as well!..
Thanks, Malcolm. It’s good to hear from someone who actually lived the experience and to know the reason for the existence and popularity of such a vehicle. It’s easy to call them “ugly” and “crappy” without knowing anything about them.
I’m sure that, like anything else, there are avid and knowledgeable collectors of these.
Just adding to Malcolm’s comments, in the UK in the early 80’s, an ex-biker friend had one, which was nicknamed “The Plastic Rocket”. I can remember on a snowy morning creeping along when he came flying past!
Also don’t forget the British sitcom “Only Fools and Horses” and the character Del Boy had a yellow one.
bought one of the New York Robins as a advertising gimmick for our business. Bright yellow and always attracted attention. Ran well until it didn’t! Back in the day they were a great alternative to a motorcycle if you were not flush with cash, my Dad owned 3 over the years.
The key to making fast progress in a Reliant is not lifting…
The engines fit Austin 7s too; older Reliants have a 7-derived sidevalve and the newer engine is alloy and OHV. And bigger!
I’ve owned a number of British three-wheelers. 1954 & 1956 Bond MiniCars and close to a dozen Citroen 2CV Lomax roadsters. I think the reverse trike configuration of the Lomax is more stable and lots of fun to drive fast and hard!
The comments about wheel configuration are correct but remember the Reliant was always a four seater and a single rear wheel makes that impossible in a small car
Better hope you’ve got an overweight uncle and auntie in the backseat!
Most folks just recommend a sack of cement in the passenger’s seat. No need to put up with back-seat drivers.
…and Berkeley did make a “Foursome” with (tight) room for 4 with one back wheel!
the foursome was based on their 4 wheeled car
I would have to put fender skirts over the rear wheels so that it looks like it is floating. Can Am and the Polaris Slingshot got it right with two front wheels and one rear: your braking and steering are handled by two wheels, with one mammoth tire in the rear for power.
Yep, I loved driving my hot rodded CanAm Spyder. I just recently sold it due to an upcoming move, but will be buying another soon enough.
There was a T60 Berkeley Foursome..three wheeler..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HPVQ4FpVlY
I always wondered what would happen to these things, if you had a front tire blowout, at around 60mph?
As a somewhat practical novelty, why not? I’m not sure what states classify 3 wheelers as ‘Cycle Cars’, but that’s the ideal. Puttering around between stop lights getting groceries going to a nearby job, maybe delivering pizzas or submarine sandwiches? Just spend the money on preventative maintenance and it’s going to attract attention. Easy to park, so definitely an urban machine.
It’s not beautiful. It even sorta looks like a handicapped car of some kind. But for the right price, why not be strange while getting 30+mpg? Probably be better off on electric drivetrain when lighter batteries are available. Golf cart electric motor begging to jump in, put the battery weight behind rear axle, and you’ll need to intentionally roll it on a slope to try to flip it.
What an ugly pos, just my personal opinion.
I find this car to be interesting, I kinda want it but bidding is already over $5k and that is higher than I would pay, I would be concerned about finding simple parts like brakes and I would have to hire someone with small hands to charge a spark plug. However I would take a close look at putting a motorcycle drive train in it. And I would have to check with my current state to see if you need a motorcycle license because in Washington state you would have to get a motorcycle license to drive it.
There are modern American cars which need the intake manifold removed to change spark plugs. In the 60s at least one marque needed the engine unbolted and lifted to change at least one plug – which resulted in that plug not being changed with the others with the resulting bad results later. I’m sure there are skilled mechanics on this site that can name numerous other vehicles with spark plug access a very real problem. My point, regardless of other expressed limitations of this vehicle, spark plug changes is hardly a detriment precluding owning it.
ha ha… I saw this listing and thought I’d read through the comments to see how long it would take someone to reference the Top Gear spoof item…didn’t have to look too far to find it. In case the commenters did not realize it, it’s not big secret that the stunt with rolling the Reliant 3-wheeler on Top Gear was faked, staged. They stacked a huge amount of weight into one side of the car to prompt it to roll. No, these 3-wheelers won’t handle like a Lotus Elise, but they are not particularly unstable in normal use. They would probably fare better on a tight slalom course test than the average lifted truck, for example…
Top Gear was a successful comedy show aimed at a certain audience (like, the “car guys” who could quote you the relative bhp and torque figures for the Bugatti Veyron vs McLaren verbatim but wouldn’t know how to change the brake pads on their own car.?) but more “car-themed slapstick”, banter, than actually about cars.
As for this featured car here, yes I understand how it would not appeal to most classic car fans, and obviously not to the performance-oriented folks…but they are a piece of automotive history nevertheless. They filled a need at the time in the market they were sold. as others have noted, they could be derived on a motorcycle driving license and benefit from cheaper tax rates, and they were relative cheap to buy and run.
If only GM put the 3 wheeled futuristic 1964 Runabout into production shown at the NY World’s Fair – with the built in detachable shopping cart in back!