Reliant Rebel
| Reliant | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Reliant Rebel from 1969
|
|
| Rebel | |
| Sales designation: | Rebel |
| Production period: | 1964-1973 |
| Class : | Microcar |
| Body versions : | Hatchback , station wagon , van |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 0.6-0.75 liters (20-26 kW) |
| Length: | 3505 mm |
| Width: | 1473 mm |
| Height: | 1410 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2261 mm |
| Empty weight : | 520-610 kg |
| successor | Kitten |
The Reliant Rebel was a small car that the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth ( England ) produced from 1964 to 1973. It was intended as an alternative to the Mini or Hillman Imp . Its bodies were made of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP). Because of its rust-resistant GRP body, the car was advertised as a car "with its own garage".
The car came out with a four-cylinder in-line engine with 598 cm³ displacement and an output of 27 bhp (20 kW). Just in time for the London Motor Show in October 1967, the displacement increased to 701 cm³ and the power to 32 bhp (24 kW) and for the 1972 Motor Show to 748 cm³ and 35 bhp (26 kW). Often larger Reliant engines from other models with 848 cm³ were installed later. The top speed was 101 km / h, later 112 km / h.
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The 748 cc machine introduced in 1972 also had an output of only 35 bhp (26 kW) and with gasoline consumption of 6.64 l / 100 km, the car was more economical than steel-bodied models of the same size from competitors.
The rear part of the chassis corresponded to that of the three-wheeled sister model Regal ; but the Rebel had a four-wheel chassis, which meant that the engine could be installed further forward. This resulted in a lot more interior space. The front axle had conventional steering with steering gear from the Standard Ten and wishbones, stub axles and ball joints from the Triumph GT6 / Vitesse .
The car was introduced with a partially synchronized four-speed transmission, the three upper gears of which were synchronized. From 1972 the first gear was also synchronized. Because of the lightweight plastic body and aluminum engine, the Rebel was 15% lighter than the slightly shorter Mini and 35% lighter than the Renault 5 released that same year .
Only 2,600 Rebels were built as a sedan, station wagon or delivery van.
Individual evidence
- ^ Basil Cardew: Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd., London 1966
- ↑ Exhibition Stand 105 - Reliant. Autocar, issue 127 (nbr 3740), October 1967
- ↑ Reliant Rebel. Daily Mail Motor Show Review 1972 on 1973 Cars, p. 41, Associated Newspapers Group Ltd., London, October 1972
- ^ David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895-1975. Veloce Publishing plc., Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6