At Autoshippers we are asked to ship vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from the UK to far flung countries across the world. Not every vehicle that we ship is everyone’s cup of tea, but the comment above didn’t come from us, it came from the customer himself. If YOU love your car, WE love your car, and we are happy to ship it for you.
When Kenny contacted us to ship the camper that he had found over to him in the USA, we went straight into action.
From Three-Wheeled Vans to British Icon: The History of the Reliant Motor Company
The Reliant Motor Company was first established in 1935 in Tamworth, after the Raleigh Bicycle Company discontinued the production of their three-wheeled vehicles. That same year, the company manufactured a 7cwt van, which resembled a model that was a lot like a previous one manufactured by Raleigh. Reliant spent the second world war manufacturing parts for the war effort, and in 1946 the Regal van was launched, a low-cost and fuel-efficient vehicle that became widely popular in the UK. Over the next couple of decades, Reliant continued to expand its product catalogue and earned a reputation for its lightweight and compact vehicles.
In the 1970s, the company diversified its offerings and released the Robin, a three-wheeled car that became its best-seller. The Robin was highly appreciated for its versatility and functionality, and was even used by the British postal service. Throughout the next two decades, Reliant remained dedicated to innovation, introducing new models and upgrading its existing offerings.
However, by the 1990s, the company encountered financial difficulties and was ultimately acquired by another British automaker, Peel Engineering Company. Under Peel’s ownership, Reliant continued to produce three-wheeled vehicles and also entered the microcar and electric vehicle market. Despite these efforts, the company struggled to remain profitable and finally shut down operations in 2002. Despite its challenges, the Reliant Motor Company will forever be remembered for its impact on the British automotive industry and its innovative products.
The Reliant Fox: A Classic Microcar with Big Character
The Reliant Fox was a microcar manufactured by Reliant, first introduced in 1973 and continuing production until 1990. The Fox was engineered as a compact and economical vehicle, perfect for navigating narrow city streets and for those looking for an everyday car without the high costs of traditional automobiles.
With its small size and light weight, the Reliant Fox was powered by a 650cc inline-four engine, which was typically mounted transversely and drove the front wheels. The car was equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and had a top speed of around 60 mph. Despite its small size and low power, the Reliant Fox had a spacious interior that could comfortably seat four passengers and a boot big enough for everyday use.
The Reliant Fox was also highly regarded for its handling and road manners, thanks to its lightweight and well-tuned suspension. The car was nimble and easy to manoeuvre, making it ideal for tight city streets, and provided a smooth and comfortable ride, even on rough roads. Furthermore, the Reliant Fox was known for its reliability, making it a popular choice for those seeking a low-maintenance and economical car. The Reliant Fox was a classic microcar that offered a unique driving experience and a practical solution for everyday transportation.
Get Ready to Hit the Road: Discover the Innovative Reliant Fox Tandy
Unveiled in 1979, The Reliant Fox Tandy was a limited-edition of the classic Reliant Fox microcar, and was created through a collaboration between Reliant and Tandy Electronics. It was designed to offer consumers a compact and budget-friendly option for recreational travel.
It was created when David Tandy retired to a farm on the Isle of Wight and wanted a compact motorhome. He designed a small camper body to fit onto the back of a Reliant Fox and, after a test drive to Spain and back, released the model at the 1984 NEC caravan show.
With its compact size, the Reliant Fox Tandy was equipped with a pop-up tent at the rear, providing comfortable sleeping quarters for two. Additionally, it featured a sink, refrigerator, and stove, enabling on-the-go meal preparation. Its electrical system even allowed the use of small appliances and lighting while camping.
Despite its small size, the Reliant Fox Tandy was a practical and innovative solution for those seeking to explore the great outdoors without the inconvenience of towing a caravan or driving a big, bulky, campervan. Though a niche product, the Reliant Fox Tandy received praise from its target audience and remains a popular choice for those seeking a compact and convenient recreational vehicle, despite only 50 or so being made in the 3 or 4 years it was produced.
A Unique Ride Across the Pond: Shipping Kenny’s Reliant Tandy Fox Camper to the USA
Kenny managed to bag himself one of the 50 Reliant Tandy Fox’s produced, to join him in the USA with the Robin Reliant he already owned. He had been searching for a while, because, in his own words he had always “been in love weird vehicles that make people stare and think “what the heck is that?”
Kenny tells us that his Reliant Tandy Fox Camper “turns quite a lot of heads as it is the only one of its kind in America”. He took it to “Cars and Coffee” in Utah, where he lives, which is a regular meet enabling people to show their cars.
However, Kenny brings with him something a little different to the rest of the participants;
“Cars and coffee in Utah brings lots of high end vehicles, but this one does so well at these shows as it is not just another Lamborghini, McLaren, or Porsche… It has a lot of character.”
Safe and Reliable Vehicle Shipping with Autoshippers: Making Your Dream Car a Reality
If you find the unusual car in the UK, and you must have it with you overseas, then Autoshippers are the company that you need to help you with the shipping. We can ship your car from the UK to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and many other destinations around the world.
We have a nationwide collection service, and can offer a full coverage marine insurance policy and various shipping options that can suit the needs of every shape, size and style of vehicle (as well as budget!)
For more details of the services we offer, our marine insurance, and some valuable information on Customs and registration formalities for key markets, take a look at our website www.autoshippers.co.uk
If you would like a quotation, then simply complete our online quote form and our sales team will come back to you with pricing and other relevant information, or you can call us on +44 117 982 8123 / 0800 389 0784 and we will be happy to help.
