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The only known 'surviving' prototype 4-wheel Bug built by Reliant for evaluation. More info at the Bug Club.
The FW7 mid-engine prototype - strangely having the same reg plate as the bug , though, IIRC this vehicle was never actually registered in fact it was never originally fully finished or fitted out. - but it still exists, so 'eyes peeled'
The FW11, seen at a Drayton Manor Park Scimi club do in the '90s. Bertone-styled, Ford-engined prototype built for Otosan, for production in Turkey, but cnsidered too expensive to build, then considered as a Scimi replacement, finally a design update saw it become the best-selling Citroen BX.
"Project R931" - a contender to replace the SS1 - never made it off the drawing board. Reliant gave away these postcards of it at the 1992 Motor Show and asked visitors to the stand for their opinions to help evaluate the design and gauge the public's expectations of pricing and performance.
FW7 prototype
FW11 fully finished prototype
Project R931 design concept.
Reliant even had a go at updating the Kitten in the 1990s. This was to remain as a styling exercise only, built by adapting a robin body and fitting to an existing chassis. Some interior trim was fitted. Since 'finished' very nicely indeed in private hands.
Reliant Zoe. An american creation. For racing. Oh well.
A few of many, many 'home-growns'. Great fun! Trikes lend themselves to being highly modified - Well into the 21st century there were still thousands left on the road, and their low prices, grp bodies and fun reputation made them easy prey for anyone with a hacksaw and a warped sense of style. There are hordes of images of every conceivable treatment to be found - from campers to hearses, caterpillar track to boat.
Purists never liked this, but it keeps up an interest in Reliant vehicles from the wider public, and probably helped keep the supply of spares flowing for longer.
REL boatpic.pdf
John Crosthwaite was the most prolific user of Reliant mechanicals to clothe with different body designs. A glance at his Wikipedia page will show just how experienced and knowledgeable a guy he was, and just how important his many skills were to Reliant as their chief chassis engineer for several years, and continuing to advise through later years.
The only photo one can ever seem to find of the Mebea Fox...
Greek company MEBEA commissioned John Crosthwaite to design a lightweight grp vehicle for local production. He came up with this, mounted on kitten running gear and all ancillaries. He later persuaded Reliant to beef up the Kitten chassis and the Fox body to become the UK Fox.
These vehicles also show the hand of John Crosthwaite
And, if you hunt for a picture of the 1970s Hyundai PONY pickup you can see who designed that – it bears uncanny resemblance to a properly-proportioned FOX!
John also formed Reef Engineering to build Cub leisure vehicles for export to exotic holiday beach resorts in the Caribbean - again, kittens underneath.
His daughter kept one back to use in UK
He had a hand in the PK Jimp too, but struggled a bit with curves vs aluminium sheet. [Kitten hiding beneath of course]
Asquith made the antique-style Shetland delivery van on the Fox rolling chassis for the added weight of which the low-ratio Fox axle came in handy. Most of the production still survives in use over 30 years later.
John Box, designer of the superb TVR 350i, also created the Tempest range of sports cars, and the Tempest Vantique, both on the Reliant Fox chassis and running gear. John was responsible for the improvement of the Kitten chassis etc to better serve the heavier Fox body.
Pictured here with his wife Jacky surrounded by some of his legacy, at the Reliant Kitten Register summer camp, Llangollen 2017.
The Tempest project is still thriving, now in other hands. See the website here:
A rare example of the Cipher, designed by Tony Stevens on the Kitten chassis. Details of this and other models here:
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