The Man Who Raced a Reliant Robin
Classic Car Stories
3,658 views
Adam Poulton presents: The Man Who Raced the Robin Reliant | Classic Car Stories
The Reliant Robin has spent decades being laughed at — three wheels, Del Boy, and that famous reputation for falling over. But there is far more to this little British car than the jokes suggest.
In this episode of Classic Car Stories, Adam Poulton meets Dale, a man who didn’t just own Reliant Robins — he raced them.
Dale takes us back to the extraordinary world of Reliant Robin racing, where battered three-wheelers were pushed to their limits on the track and sometimes deliberately put onto their roofs. He recalls his racing days, the rollover competitions, the trophies and the remarkable stories that came with them.
But Dale’s story also has a much more serious side. In 2012, a huge accident at Arena Essex left him with a broken neck and spending three months wearing a halo brace — bringing his racing career to an abrupt end.
There is also another Robin in Dale’s life: his beautifully preserved yellow 1978 Reliant Robin, bought as a surprise 50th birthday present by his wife Karen. Sixteen years later, it remains his pride and joy.
Along the way, we uncover some of the fascinating history behind Reliant, including the company’s beginnings with T. L. Williams, why three wheels made sense, Reliant’s expertise with fibreglass and composite construction, and its surprising connection with the legendary Ford RS200.
And what about Del Boy? Despite what many people remember from Only Fools and Horses, Del Boy didn’t actually drive a Reliant Robin at all — his famous yellow three-wheeler was a Reliant Regal Supervan III.
So was the Reliant Robin really as unstable as its reputation suggests? Why did people race them? And what does this much-mocked little British car mean to someone who has spent much of his life around them?
This is the story of the man who raced the Reliant Robin.
Presented and produced by Adam Poulton
Camera: Kevin Houston
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🎵 Music
The Secret Spring - Helmut Schenker
Earthbound Victor Lundburg
Licensed via Epidemic Sound.
Classic Car Stories celebrates the people, memories and remarkable histories behind classic cars — preserving their stories for future generations.
If you enjoy classic British cars, Reliant Robin history, unusual motorsport stories, classic car documentaries and the people behind the cars, please subscribe to Classic Car Stories and join us for more.
Every classic has a story to tell.
8 Comments
Also, great video! Thank you!
The Man Who Raced a Reliant Robin
Classic Car Stories
3,658 views
Adam Poulton presents: The Man Who Raced the Robin Reliant | Classic Car Stories
The Reliant Robin has spent decades being laughed at — three wheels, Del Boy, and that famous reputation for falling over. But there is far more to this little British car than the jokes suggest.
In this episode of Classic Car Stories, Adam Poulton meets Dale, a man who didn’t just own Reliant Robins — he raced them.
Dale takes us back to the extraordinary world of Reliant Robin racing, where battered three-wheelers were pushed to their limits on the track and sometimes deliberately put onto their roofs. He recalls his racing days, the rollover competitions, the trophies and the remarkable stories that came with them.
But Dale’s story also has a much more serious side. In 2012, a huge accident at Arena Essex left him with a broken neck and spending three months wearing a halo brace — bringing his racing career to an abrupt end.
There is also another Robin in Dale’s life: his beautifully preserved yellow 1978 Reliant Robin, bought as a surprise 50th birthday present by his wife Karen. Sixteen years later, it remains his pride and joy.
Along the way, we uncover some of the fascinating history behind Reliant, including the company’s beginnings with T. L. Williams, why three wheels made sense, Reliant’s expertise with fibreglass and composite construction, and its surprising connection with the legendary Ford RS200.
And what about Del Boy? Despite what many people remember from Only Fools and Horses, Del Boy didn’t actually drive a Reliant Robin at all — his famous yellow three-wheeler was a Reliant Regal Supervan III.
So was the Reliant Robin really as unstable as its reputation suggests? Why did people race them? And what does this much-mocked little British car mean to someone who has spent much of his life around them?
This is the story of the man who raced the Reliant Robin.
Presented and produced by Adam Poulton
Camera: Kevin Houston
Classic Car Stories
Follow Classic Car Stories
📘 Facebook
Facebook: classiccarstories
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/classiccar....
▶️ UP NEXT:
He Never Forgot His Uncles MGB| Classic Ca...
🎵 Music
The Secret Spring - Helmut Schenker
Earthbound Victor Lundburg
Licensed via Epidemic Sound.
Classic Car Stories celebrates the people, memories and remarkable histories behind classic cars — preserving their stories for future generations.
If you enjoy classic British cars, Reliant Robin history, unusual motorsport stories, classic car documentaries and the people behind the cars, please subscribe to Classic Car Stories and join us for more.
Every classic has a story to tell.