Reliant three-wheeler rolls back into production

Doubtless Del Boy would describe himself as "well chuffed". The three-wheeler Reliant, beloved of Del Trotter, the egregious entrepreneur in Only Fools and Horses, has been resurrected.

The fibreglass runaround, which was consigned to the automotive scrapheap last February after 65 years, is rolling off the production line once more.

Les Collier, a Suffolk businessman, has bought the rights to the vehicle – nicknamed "the plastic pig" – and yesterday started manufacturing it again.

Reliant Cars Ltd, of Burntwood, Staffordshire, stopped making the cars after production costs spiralled, making the three-wheeler more expensive to buy than some of its four-wheeled rivals.

The new Reliant Robin, at £9,995, is £2,000 cheaper than its predecessor and comes with leather upholstery, alloy wheels and a sun-roof. For the more demanding customer there is a plusher model featuring electric windows and a CD player, among other extras.

While Del Boy would not bother himself with such formalities, the Reliant driver only requires a motorbike licence. Mr Collier is not amused by the car's comic reputation. He said: "I want to make sure the days of the Robin being a joke are over. It is now going to be a quality car in a niche market." He points to the remodelled interior, "high specification" and much-improved paintwork in a wide range of colours. One version is covered in light-reactive paint, which seems to change colour in different lights.

Mr Collier's firm, B&N Plastics, had mainly produced moulded sections for caravans but, when the caravan company he supplied went out of business, he approached Reliant Cars Ltd to acquire production rights of the Robin. The new supremo said: "Yes, at one time they were cheap and cheerful, but they have always been a very good investment, with a very low depreciation rate. They do about 80 miles to the gallon, can reach speeds of 85 to 90mph and carry four adults, with plenty of luggage room."

He said he had already received more than 90 orders, which proved there was a ready market.

*BMW reported "huge" interest in its new Mini being built at the old Rover plant in Oxford. The car had attracted more than 4,000 orders since it went on sale on Saturday.