Thinking about buying a Reliant Robin Van. What's to know?

[Ben_O]

So as per title. I want something unusual that will get noticed on my daily commute. I work in a garage restoring classic cars so would advertise the place on the side of the Van but would not really need to lug anything about in it.

 

The chance has come up to purchase a 1978 Robin Van which requires restoration. Not exactly what i was thinking of getting but why not? Might be a giggle and should turn heads.

 

So what i wanted to know is what do i look for when i go to see it next week? Are there any bits that are particularly worth looking out for and what is parts availability like on them?

I have had absolutely nothing to do with any Reliant 3 wheelers apart from briefly owning a 63 regal van when i was 15 but i won't count that.

 

Here is the potential candidate.

 

 

If i go for it, it may or may not stay standard and it may or may not stay brown...

 

Cheers fellas

 

Ben

[Timewaster]

If you paint it yellow and sign write it in a style that wasn't funny 30 years ago, then I shall come to your house in the night and tip it over.

[twosmoke300]

Fuck me you must be strong to tip a house over ! ðŸ˜

[Bren]

Jasper Carrott is a fan.

[Ben_O]

If you paint it yellow and sign write it in a style that wasn't funny 30 years ago, then I shall come to your house in the night and tip it over.

I wouldn't dare do that so no need to worry. I would be advertising a reputable business and that would just be too tacky.

My 63 regal i mentioned had one side painted yellow and then sign written on the panel was 

             MAPLE CARS

NEW YORK. PARIS. MAIDSTONE.

I almost didn't buy it because of that. ha ha

[doobietoo]

they only have 3 wheels...

[vulgalour]

I don't know a lot about Robins but what I do know which I've learned from folk on here are:

 

Chassis are not galvanised, usually, so go rotten.

Fronts suspension components can be a headache to acquire and expensive.

Something about king pins.

 

 

For more info, I'd look for input from coalnotdole, plasticvandan, shumarialto and bub2006 as they've all had/have Reliants.

[Eddie Honda]

Yeah, grease the kingpin and make sure the wheel sits upright and not on the piss.

 

Oh and Esther says something about a bracket problem (steering box mount / strut)

[Ben_O]

cheers for the input guys.

 

It's might not happen yet but i will definatly view it. My daily commute is 25 miles each way with a mix of town roads and long fast B roads and i haven't decided if i am brave enough to do that trip in a Robin..

 

If i do though, it will have a full shell off resto then ill decide if i can live with it. If not what is a fully restored 78 Robin van worth?

[BavarianRetro]

Did Princess Anne not have one of these?

[djimbob]

just buy it and find out, they were ace when I inherited my grandad's when he got too ill to drive back thirty years ago or so

 

And yes, the chassis will probably be rusty, but parts are still available from the specialists, there are good ones kicking around in Bradford and Selby in Yorkshire for example

[bub2006]

Mk1 like that won't have galv chassis. The reliant Rialto onwards had though. Parts are getting expensive and some are NLA. For mot please take it to someone who has experince with these fine cars as there will be a bit of play in front keep nfpin,I've no seen one without.

[Ben_O]

Cheers Bub.

 

Ill have a look at it and if it's not too bad, it'll be worth a punt

[Mr A Lawrence]

Don't forget to check the tracking.

[Faker]

Don't forget to check the tracking.

Har har har!

[Eddie Honda]

For mot please take it to someone who has experince with these fine cars

They usually are experienced - Class III testing stations can be few and far between. 25 years ago I had to drive up to Glasgow (24 miles) to get a Class III test done.

[RayMK]

.....all the above + head gaskets and perished fuel lines - but you would probably know that already.  Reliants burn readily, leaving you with a twisted chassis, a pile of fibrous ash and a blob of resolidified aluminium alloy at the front.  Daily commuting in one is definitely possible if you are an optimist. I own a 1961 Regal MKVI saloon which is road legal and have owned a later ohv Regal and a Rialto.  A Rialto is by far the superior product - better handling and more durable.

[Junkman]

It must be painted yellow and there must be black signwriting on it in any font you like, saying 'EU-Independent Trading - Wolverhampton, Stornoway, Husband's Bosworth'.

[tapir]

50 miles a day in a robin van, really... There's a garage up my way that has a load out on the forecourt, assume they sell spares? New Buckingham

[plasticvandan]

I commuted 65miles a day in one of mine,no problem.you do have to have as screw loose though.If you don't have off road parking,don't buy it, iit will be on its side within days (sometimes even if you have) parts are getting expensive, mk1 vans are very rare now.

Chassis rot,head gaskets blow,new fuel tanks are nearly £200 now so check that.

I'd have it in a heartbeat!

[Ben_O]

Looks like i am not going to be able to go for this after all.

 

I have details on it if anyone is interested. It's on the Isle of Wight and is £500

 

Cheers

 

Ben 

[plasticvandan]

been on car and classic for a few months

[oldcars]

I wanted a van too but to dear for me. As has been said check for blown headgaskets, fuel pipes, check that the carb overflow is set up correctly to. Mine was not and could have caused big issues. Mine overheated due to a blockage at the back of the head, there is a nut or screw can't remember that you can remove at the back to clean it all out. Check for rust as it won't have a galvanised chassis. Other than that by it, vans are hard to come by.

[martc]

It's on the Isle of Wight and is £500

 

 

 

To the Isle of Wight residents a Robin must be almost "space age".