NO RESERVE - 1997 Reliant Robin Van
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Highlights
- Trotter’s Independent Trading replica
- Low mileage and good to go
- Direct from museum
- Tax in post
- Offered complete with a new MOT
The Background
Jolly Boys, listen up! Here’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to own something special. Fresh from Peckham (or North Walsham, but let’s not let the details get in the way), here’s an all-time British classic that pays tribute to another British classic that’s loved and adored by so many.
Only Fools and Horses needs no introduction. The most popular British sitcom of all-time, it appealed to millions between its debut in 1985 and its end in 2011, with David Jason’s ‘Del Boy’ Trotter and his brother, Rodney, as the stars of the screen.
There was another superstar, too, in the form of Del Boy’s Reliant Regal Supervan, which quickly became the most iconic three-wheeled vehicle on the planet.
Now, here’s your opportunity to celebrate the finest British sitcom of all-time, courtesy of this replica Reliant, based on a much newer model than Del Boy’s own 1959 Supervan, but in the same cobbled-together spirit.
It’s a wonderful piece of kitsch, with some great and amusing details. As an investment it’s not going to make you a millionaire, but this time next year, maybe… Whichever way, you’d have to be a complete plonker to overlook its appeal…
The History
Since 2006, the Robin has been used as a promotional vehicle for the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum in North Walsham. The museum was its third owner, and it has been used to promote the museum during the tourist season ever since, meaning it has always been kept taxed and MOT’d despite covering a relatively small mileage.
The Trotters Independent Traders decals, the artificial aging and Triggers trusty broom set the car off, with Faux fur (leopard skin) seat covers providing extra style and “comfortability” for the driver and their passenger. Although simplistic in design, the name says it all for the Reliant, as it was a true old-school workhorse.
An oil and filter service carried out by the vendor in March 2022.
The Paperwork
The Robin comes with a UK V5C, a printed document showing its MOT history back to 2006 and it will come with a brand new MOT. Also included are some fun details – a shopkeeper’s dummy, a selection of Only Fools and Horses character masks and receipts for its recent service.
There’s also a Del Boy numberplate on the dashboard, along with an authentic ‘Tax in Post’ sign taped to the inside of the windscreen.
The Exterior
Just like Del Boy’s van, the Reliant has been given an artificial patina showing dirt and fake damage around the exterior, but in reality it’s actually in pretty decent condition, with no signs of damage to its fibreglass body.
The chassis also appears sound and the wheels – all three of them – are shod with decent tyres.
The Trotter’s Independent Trading livery is faithfully executed (with the addition of North Walsham to New York, Paris and Peckham). It has a period-correct roof rack, strapped to which is a faithful replica of Trigger’s broom. The bonnet, meanwhile, features an advertisement for the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum should you wish to retain this part of the van’s history.
The Interior
Unsurprisingly, the Reliant is very basic inside, with its seats covered in faux leopard skin seat covers to remain true to the Del Boy concept.
The dash contains all the basic controls, with a surprisingly sporty three-spoke steering wheel to set it off, while in-car entertainment (such as it is) comes courtesy of a push-button radio.
There’s a back seat, too, behind the van panels so your passengers can choose to hide behind them if they wish.
The Mechanics
Reliant’s venerable 875cc engine is a surprisingly robust and willing performer and it runs really well, starting from cold with very little choke and idling smoothly.
It revs freely via a four-speed gearbox, that’s a bit vague but goes into all gears, both forward and reverse, smoothly.
The handling is best described as ‘entertaining’. Even at slow speeds, it feels hilariously unstable and wobbles from side-to-side as you get in and out. Spirited driving is not encouraged.
On the plus side, it has an incredible turning circle that will easily rival that of a London taxi, and it is surprisingly easy to drive.
The vendor reports that it is in good mechanical health and is in generally good working order. A further bonus is that it can be driven on a standard motorcycle licence, as it is officially classed as a trike.
The Appeal
You might feel like a right plonker driving it (unless you don Batman and Robin costumes), but this is a hilarious and loveable thing, and a great celebration of the best of British humour.
It would make a great starter classic and will cost pennies to run – surely a bonus in today’s world of astronomical fuel prices?
In addition, it would also be an incredible promotional vehicle for any small business, especially a garage, classic car specialist, market trader or the landlord of a pub called the Nag’s Head.
You’d be a plonker to miss out, Rodney…
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Vehicle specification
- Year 2022
- Make Reliant
- Model Robin
- Colour Yellow
- Odometer 51,490 Miles
- Engine size 875
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Location Essex
- Country United Kingdom
41
bids
- Me•••• £4,100 27/03/22
- Rm•••• £4,000 27/03/22
- Me•••• £3,900 27/03/22
- Rm•••• £3,800 27/03/22
- Me•••• £3,700 27/03/22
- Rm•••• £3,600 27/03/22
- Me•••• £3,500 27/03/22
- Rm•••• £3,400 27/03/22
- Me•••• £3,300 27/03/22
- Rm•••• £3,200 27/03/22
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