About
A Nut & Bolt Restoration
My Late Father was a typical chap of his generation. His main form of transport was a trusty BSA Bantam, but when the family came along he purchased a Heinkel Trojan bubble car. When the family outgrew that in 1974 he acquired a Reliant Regal 3/25 saloon. Named "Phoebe" she provided sterling service until laid up in a remote garage around late 1978. And there she sat until after my Father passed away in 2012. I had already entertained the idea of a restoration but now I was committed to complete a task my Father didn't get to do and provide a mechanical memorial.
The Reliant Regal 3/25
The Reliant Motor Company produced a series of three (and 4) wheeled vehicles from 1935. In 1962 a change in design and production saw the introduction of the Regal 3/25 (3 wheel 25 HP). This vehicle featured an all GRP body fitted to a simple steel chassis. Available as a saloon or as the 5CWT van, the 3/25 gained the nickname "slatty" due to its large grilled front. The 3/25 also featured Reliants own 600cc OHV alloy engine, the first production type of such in the world. The vehicle featured an engine driven water pump, Lucas 12V Positive Earth electrical system & to spoil the owner, a heater system that utilised the engines coolant. The design of the Regal underwent several changes & production eventually gave way to the Robin. The sturdy engine also underwent changes with 700, 750 & 850cc versions produced that ended up in lawnmowers, fire pumps and even jet skis. Some 110,000 Regals of all versions were made, but the "slatty" is now fairly rare.