1979 Reliant Ant TW9
Reliant Ant 1979 GB
Reliant TW9 (Three Wheeler 9)
en.wikipedia.org
The Reliant Ant, also known as the Reliant TW9 (Three Wheeler 9) is a small three-wheeler pickup truck produced by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth (England) between 1967 and 1987.
The Ant was produced with a 700 cc four-cylinder four-stroke engine, delivering a claimed 27.5 bhp (20 kW) of power. The engine was installed behind the single front wheel. Cabin was made of glass-fibre with space for two. Despite its apparent simplicity the cabin design incorporated gentle curves and creases to enhance structural strength. The maximum speed of 54 mph (86 km/h) and overall fuel consumption of 8.1 lt/100 km was quoted.
The left-hand drive version offered a load capacity of 500 kg and was intended to compete in Mediterranean countries with vehicles such as Piaggio's Ape (bee). For the right-hand drive domestic market a more challenging load capacity of 800 kg was envisaged, but without a more powerful engine. Target customers in the UK were mostly local government agencies, which used it as a flat-bed truck, various closed delivery van bodies, a small water tanker, a refuse truck, a street drain clearer and a snow plough all appeared. The price for a chassis and cabin was quoted as £451.
In 1972 engine capacity was increased to 748 cc and claimed output rose to 32 bhp (23.5 kW). Performance benefitted. By this time Greek partner MEBEA was building the vehicles under license.
Despite all its advantages, only 1,229 of the little trucks were sold during its initial four years. The more powerful version released in 1972 was sold only in the quantity of 659 sales. That figure does not include the vehicles built under license in Greece, however.
Reliant TW9 (Three Wheeler 9)
en.wikipedia.org
The Reliant Ant, also known as the Reliant TW9 (Three Wheeler 9) is a small three-wheeler pickup truck produced by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth (England) between 1967 and 1987.
The Ant was produced with a 700 cc four-cylinder four-stroke engine, delivering a claimed 27.5 bhp (20 kW) of power. The engine was installed behind the single front wheel. Cabin was made of glass-fibre with space for two. Despite its apparent simplicity the cabin design incorporated gentle curves and creases to enhance structural strength. The maximum speed of 54 mph (86 km/h) and overall fuel consumption of 8.1 lt/100 km was quoted.
The left-hand drive version offered a load capacity of 500 kg and was intended to compete in Mediterranean countries with vehicles such as Piaggio's Ape (bee). For the right-hand drive domestic market a more challenging load capacity of 800 kg was envisaged, but without a more powerful engine. Target customers in the UK were mostly local government agencies, which used it as a flat-bed truck, various closed delivery van bodies, a small water tanker, a refuse truck, a street drain clearer and a snow plough all appeared. The price for a chassis and cabin was quoted as £451.
In 1972 engine capacity was increased to 748 cc and claimed output rose to 32 bhp (23.5 kW). Performance benefitted. By this time Greek partner MEBEA was building the vehicles under license.
Despite all its advantages, only 1,229 of the little trucks were sold during its initial four years. The more powerful version released in 1972 was sold only in the quantity of 659 sales. That figure does not include the vehicles built under license in Greece, however.
