Farewell to my dads 1959 Reliant Regal Mk5

[@albertgrover2735]

Just watched all 3 vids about this epic journey to get the Reliant out through the garage. My first vehicle with a roof was a Regal Mk VI from about 1962 IIRC with the same SV engine. I had some moments with that car, but learned a lot from it - I was a biker so could legally drive it on my bike licence but first had to teach myself to drive . . . First time out I reversed it down a ditch but a friendly farmer pushed us out and I never did that again. Had the engine out a couple of times - it came out through the passenger footwell with the passenger seat removed - for a while I was the local Reliant dealer's best customer. Hope the new owner enjoys the restoration - I'll see if I can find it on YT. Thanks for the vids - really enjoyed them.

[@MO3MINI]

Haha awesome thanks for watching all three! Gutted that i didnt get a few more videos of it.. the new owner had it driving in first gear without too much hassle. I just didnt want to break it 🤣 If you search for Lewi Buch Productions you will find the new owner

[@albertgrover2735]

​@@MO3MINI Thanks - I searched for and found his channel right after I posted the above reply. Looks like a real enthusiast who is evidently going to restore it to its former glory (?) I'll keep following its progress with interest. I doubt you would have broken it, BTW - I tried my level best and I couldn't kill mine . . . ;-)

[@BensWorkshop]

Looks like it went to a good home.

[@LewiBuchProductions]

Certainly has 🙈 it’s joining 6 other reliants I own, 4 of them restored and 2 being restored

[@LewiBuchProductions]

Great video! 😁 really like how you got the pic of it stripped down at the end

[@MO3MINI]

Haha have fun restoring it mate!

[@frglee]

Nice to see it's being restored and not scrapped.

[@MO3MINI]

Yep it took a long time to find the right person

[@paulthompson8613]

Just subbed thanks for sharing your memories just love these stories hope you got a better price since you nearly finished the restoration

[@MO3MINI]

Thanks, was a blast getting it running again. Its gone to a good home now. Needs lots of love. You can find the rebuild series on the channel at the end of the video 👍

[@squirrel6158]

That’s going to be on the road again it’s not the last we have seen of it promise

[@wildman510]

What are the odds the thing just sits unfinished?

[@MO3MINI]

0... its already been completely stripped down for restoration. Should be back on the road next spring

[@Vintageaudiofan1992]

I love the nostalgic look at the car at the beginning! :-) What made your Dad and yourself decide to sell the three wheeler?

[@MO3MINI]

Sadly dad passed away in 2012.. I’ve tried to find it a good home since. Now it’s being restored 👍 The restoration was just beyond my skills and it would only deteriorate more in the meantime

[@Vintageaudiofan1992]

@@MO3MINI Goodness me, I am so sorry, I didn't know he had passed away! :-( I remember him being in some of your early videos. I think your Dad would be so pleased it's not being left to rot away or that it is being scrapped. I am sure he would be pleased to think someone is going to restore it! Well done to you! Do you still have the Rover Metro?

[@MO3MINI]

Yeah he was in a number of the early videos... I’ve actually just discovered a video of us driving 3 old cars around the garden from 2011 that I will upload soon. I think he would be really pleased as I don’t think even thought it would ever see the road again. The Metro was the only car that did actually go to the breakers. Sadly no one wanted it! Shame as in the last few years they have actually got a bit of a following.

[@Mercmad]

I like your dads custom touch with red crushed velvet on the console. 😂 It must have been a little sad to see the car go ,even it were to a new home.

[@MO3MINI]

Very 70’s custom 🤣 dechromed, extra gauges, red carpeting, AM radio with power arial! Air horns 😂 Yes was a bit sad. But its gone to a very good home thats made it pretty easy to decide

[@pimpinpenz]

Hope all is well with you. Have things returned as normal there?

[@MO3MINI]

It’s creeping back up around here mate.. people just can’t respect social distancing and we have just reopened pubs here! Suspect we will be back in local lockdowns in 2-3 weeks if I’m honest. Nothing like what you guys have got in the US! It’s just gone crazy out there. But again all down to people believing it’s fake news, not distancing and just generally being idiots

[@pimpinpenz]

@@MO3MINI Yeah im actually from Canada. The USA is bad. But Canada's not so bad at the moment. Im still laid off but making the most of it. Ive been working at a GM dealership as a mechanic for 6 years being licensed for 4 now. Ive resorted back to fixing small engines out my garage for now hahaha. Cheers have a good one

[@Eltonlaleham]

I wish I had beeb born in 1959 or even earlier

[@a11csc]

that will keep somebody busy for a month of sundays hope we get to see the end result

[@MO3MINI]

I’m planing to fly up to Scotland to see and hopefully drive the car when it’s finished. Lewis thinks it will take around a year to complete

[@bigears4426]

They may be fun , but what was the designer thinking , was there a shortage of labour and wheels

[@MO3MINI]

The first Reliant three wheelers became available in the Mid 1930’s so there would have actually been a shortage of steal and labour due to the war efforts. But the reliant design would more likely save the buyer money. One less wheel was less material, less manufacturing costs etc which reflected in a low purchase price. Add that to lower running cost (these could did 60mpg!) lower tax and lower insurance made them appealing. Affordable motoring. But the three wheeler also had another trick up its sleeve. You didn’t actually need a car licence to drive these. You could drive a three wheeler on a motorcycle licence! Interesting design which went on for 66 years of production... there are still some three wheels cars being produced right now I believe

[@bigears4426]

MO3MINI yes in different times people were happy with a lot less than today, if it did the job they were happy

[@bigears4426]

gilburton cars were a luxury in most countries up until the sixties

[@clearprop]

I'm following the resto and really looking forward to seeing how that goes. It's very encouraging so far. I assume the recording at the beginning was your dad?

[@MO3MINI]

Yep that was my dad at 16 in 1971. Recorded one day after he got the regal after passing his test

[@clearprop]

@@MO3MINI What an awesome thing to have. And it really adds something to the story of the car, too.

[@MO3MINI]

Yeah I’ve got all sorts of bits of history that I need to find. There are some letters from Reliant about the engine rebuild and parts availability from 1971. Just need to fine them again

[@dodgydruid]

That chap in the recording has to be a south Londoner lol It was like listening to meself 35 years ago O.o

[@MO3MINI]

Haha yep! Born and raised in London middlesex from 1955 until we moved in 2003

[@squirrel6158]

Can u link his channel as can’t find it :(

[@MO3MINI]

Link to his channel is in the description 👍

[@grahamparr3933]

Seems like it lost a door 🤔

[@MO3MINI]

There is an ash timber frame which completely rotted away… so the door fell off. The car is very nearly ready for paint now and the entire ash frame has been replaced

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Hi Dan great video etc. Looks like the old beast has gone to a new home. I think you have sent me some messages. But have removed messenger from my phone also got rid of Facebook. So unable to read them. Try my email etc on end of vids. Cheers from George