Reliant Fox
Encyclopedia
The Reliant Fox is a small four wheeled glass fibre utility vehicle manufactured by the Reliant
Motor Company in Tamworth, England between 1983 and 1990. It used 850 cc aluminium engine and was technically based on the Reliant Kitten
with which it shares its chassis
, engine
and running gear (with some modifications).
The Fox has an interesting history. Reliant has exported technology and designs to several companies and countries, including MEBEA
in Greece
(Robin
and TW9
models), but in the case of this car an almost "reverse" course was followed. Indeed, in the late 1970s MEBEA attempted to develop a "passenger-utility" vehicle, a type very popular in Greece at the time due to a law allowing such cars to be taxed as "commercial vehicles". In that respect it was one of several companies to build such a vehicle in this country, including Namco
, Autokinitoviomihania Ellados
, MAVA
, Automeccanica
and others. MEBEA, which had already built the Reliant Robin
under licence, modified the four-wheel chassis of the Reliant Kitten
in order to accommodate higher loads and developed the prototype of a light utility vehicle with glass-fiber reinforced composite body. In order to produce it, though, MEBEA had to deal with the hurdle of obtaining type certification; this process was particularly complex for locally developed "passenger cars" (unlike other types of vehicles) in Greece. Thus, MEBEA did what other Greek companies had also done: it sought a partner abroad (the procedure was much easier for vehicles already certified in another country). Reliant was the obvious choice and the British company was involved in the final development and certification of the production version.
The car was produced by MEBEA in Greece as the MEBEA Fox between 1979 and 1983, when the law favoring such cars was changed; sales dropped and production was terminated (a total of about 3000 had been produced). The car had a "second life" though, as Reliant itself started producing it in the UK after 1983, as an informal successor to the Kitten. About 600 were built in the UK until 1990.
A 'Preservation Society' exists for 4 wheeled small Reliants called the Reliant Kitten Register.
Reliant
Reliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
Motor Company in Tamworth, England between 1983 and 1990. It used 850 cc aluminium engine and was technically based on the Reliant Kitten
Reliant Kitten
The Reliant Kitten is a small economy car which was manufactured from 1975 to 1982 by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England. It has a glass fibre body and an 848 cc all-aluminum inline-four engine, providing economical performance....
with which it shares its chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
, engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
and running gear (with some modifications).
The Fox has an interesting history. Reliant has exported technology and designs to several companies and countries, including MEBEA
MEBEA
MEBEA was an important Greek vehicle manufacturer, producer of light trucks, passenger automobiles, motorcycles, motorbike engines, agricultural machinery and bicycles....
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
(Robin
Reliant Robin
thumb|right|250px|1975 Greek advertisement for Mebea Robin The Reliant Robin is a small three wheeled car formerly manufactured by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England...
and TW9
Reliant TW9
The Reliant Ant, also known as the Reliant TW9 is a small three-wheeler pickup truck produced by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth between 1967 and 1987.The Ant possessed a box section metal chassis...
models), but in the case of this car an almost "reverse" course was followed. Indeed, in the late 1970s MEBEA attempted to develop a "passenger-utility" vehicle, a type very popular in Greece at the time due to a law allowing such cars to be taxed as "commercial vehicles". In that respect it was one of several companies to build such a vehicle in this country, including Namco
Namco (automobiles)
NAMCO is a Greek vehicle manufacturer, a creation of the Kontogouris Brothers who have been in the automotive industry business since the 1950s.- History :...
, Autokinitoviomihania Ellados
Autokinitoviomihania Ellados
Autokinitoviomihania Ellados was founded in Athens in 1975 by a group of Greek businessmen, including the owners of the company importing Fiat in Greece.- History :...
, MAVA
MAVA-Renault
MAVA Company was the Greek importer of Renault automobiles. In 1979, it decided to enter the car-production business introducing a passenger-utility car, a type then very popular in Greece for tax cetagorization reasons...
, Automeccanica
Automeccanica
Automeccanica was a Greek automobile producing company. Founded in 1979, it was one of the companies that produced the "passenger-utility" type of vehicle popular in Greece at the time for tax categorization reasons...
and others. MEBEA, which had already built the Reliant Robin
Reliant Robin
thumb|right|250px|1975 Greek advertisement for Mebea Robin The Reliant Robin is a small three wheeled car formerly manufactured by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England...
under licence, modified the four-wheel chassis of the Reliant Kitten
Reliant Kitten
The Reliant Kitten is a small economy car which was manufactured from 1975 to 1982 by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England. It has a glass fibre body and an 848 cc all-aluminum inline-four engine, providing economical performance....
in order to accommodate higher loads and developed the prototype of a light utility vehicle with glass-fiber reinforced composite body. In order to produce it, though, MEBEA had to deal with the hurdle of obtaining type certification; this process was particularly complex for locally developed "passenger cars" (unlike other types of vehicles) in Greece. Thus, MEBEA did what other Greek companies had also done: it sought a partner abroad (the procedure was much easier for vehicles already certified in another country). Reliant was the obvious choice and the British company was involved in the final development and certification of the production version.
The car was produced by MEBEA in Greece as the MEBEA Fox between 1979 and 1983, when the law favoring such cars was changed; sales dropped and production was terminated (a total of about 3000 had been produced). The car had a "second life" though, as Reliant itself started producing it in the UK after 1983, as an informal successor to the Kitten. About 600 were built in the UK until 1990.
A 'Preservation Society' exists for 4 wheeled small Reliants called the Reliant Kitten Register.