Reliant Fox
| Reliant Fox | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Reliant |
| Production | 1983-1990 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door utility |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 848 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission | 4 speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 84.5 inches (2146 mm) |
| Length | 133 inches (3380 mm) |
| Width | 61 inches (1540 mm) |
| Height | 60 inches (1520 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Reliant Kitten |
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 Reliant's own 850 cc aluminium engine, and a galvanised chassis similar to the Reliant Kitten's.
The Fox was the next in a long line of small 4 wheeled economy cars produced by Reliant. The base vehicle was a pickup in design but could be sold with any corresponding rear hard top for any job wanted.
A rear hard top could be bought to build an estate, a van, a canvas rear pickup, basic pickup or half convertible.
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-fibre 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.
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Wikipedia