Reliant Rescue

10/10/2026

Someone posted this in a car spotting group

Glad one of the previous Reliant Rescue restorations is still as tidy as when I completed it and the new owner is looking after it

23/09/2026

All the gear on youtube have a Robin

Hope they don't wreck it since its a rare 65 model

Do your free car finance check in 60 seconds: https://refundclub.co...

07/09/2026

The late MK2 and MK3 ignition barrels are rubbish and can become a liability

01/09/2026

I see this story over and over again

older person, can't work on his own reliant but also can't drive anything else, takes it to the local garage which is willing to work on a robin

local garage has not got a clue but takes the money anyway

this car was told his engine is knackered and he should sell it, all because when he drives it the engine cuts out and the garage couldn't find the issue

The engine looks awful, covered in oil, not serviced it seems, still dangerously on its original fuel pipe too

all the problem was the ignition barrel is incredibly worn out meaning it turns itself off

The problem with this situation is the owner does sell the car and buys another robin, the cycle then starts again with the owner taking it to the same garage where it's again not looked after

24/08/2026

what are your thoughts on electronic ignition?

or do you still prefer points?

19/08/2026

Did you know for many decades it was a reliant engine unit that powdered the secondary water pump in fire engines

many were taken out of commission in 2005

12/08/2026

Did you know a further development of the kitten exists?

In the UK reliant gave up on the Kitten in 1978 when they shut down the production line to extend Robin production, they made the kitten range 'build to order' until 1981

In 1982 the new 4 wheeled small reliant was the Reliant Fox, a small utility pickup targeted at small traders, parks ground men and councils wanting a small van/pick-up for ultimate economy

In 1982 Reliant sold the production of the Reliant Kitten to Sipani industries located in India, they renamed the car Dolphin and built both the saloon & estate until 1987, virtually identical to the UK models.

In 1987 Sipani decided to facelift the car themselves with a little help from Tamworth, this was the result 'the Montana'

The car now had a extended chassis for more leg room, 2 door or 4 door versions with both featuring a full size hatchback

The montana stayed into production until the early 1990s when it was replaced with a even more radical update.....

28/07/2026

Now I've never found one of these on a reliant chassis before!

17/07/2026

One dead clutch

carbon bearing worn down to nothing and the metal on metal rips the middle of the clutch apart

14/07/2026

"I've done everything and it's still overheating"

People tend to do all the cheap stuff on a reliant such as the thermostat and refuse to buy a new radiator

When your radiator is 30 years old it's more than likely blocked inside, this one is rotten and full of rust