Reliant Rialto

Reliant Rialto
Reliant Rialto Estate
Overview
Manufacturer	Reliant
Production	1982—1997
Body and chassis
Class	Three-wheeled car
Body style	3-door hatchback, 3-door estate
Layout	FMR layout, with single front wheel
Powertrain
Engine	0.85 L OHV I4
Chronology
Predecessor	Reliant Robin

The Reliant Rialto is a three-wheeled car that was manufactured by Reliant Motor Company, replacing the original MkI Reliant Robin in 1982. It featured a much squarer aerodynamic body, servicing panels, a single large windscreen wiper, a thicker fiberglass body and altered interior, but the chassis, engine and a lot of large components were from the previous model. The improvements gave the Rialto improved high-speed stability as well as improved fuel economy.

The Rialto was built in a number of different models from a saloon, estate, van, hatchback, pickup and flatbed. Rialtos also came in a number of different series: the MkI models from 1982 to 1983; the Rialto 2 series from 1983 to 1986 and the Rialto SE from 1987 until 1997.

Upon release the Rialto had a 12-month waiting list and was one of Reliant's best-selling models ever, but it never gained as much praise as the better-known Robin. In the 1980s the Rialto was Reliant's only 3 wheeler model, the MkI Robin ended production in 1981 and only in 1989 was the MkII Robin introduced.

The MkI Rialto series was available in three separate body styles: saloon, estate and van. The range consisted of Basic specification with a vinyl interior and could be ordered with a list of choice optional extras, or GLS specification which came with a clock, FM/AM radio, voltage gauge, cloth covered seats with extra matching cloth covered areas on the interior, extra thick carpets with a carpeted boot area, GLS decals, leather steering wheel, spare wheel and radial tyres. All cars had a dark green dash with dark grey door cards.

The sole available engine was Reliant's own 4-cylinder 850 cc "red top" (so-called because of its red rocker cover) mated to a 4-speed gearbox. This engine was carried over from the previous MkI Robin and produced 40 hp, a top speed of 85 mph and fuel comsumption of up to 60 mpg. The most recognisable feature of a MkI Rialto is the thick stripe which runs front to rear, in either gold, graphite or silver according body colour.

The Rialto 2 model was the second version of the Rialto and was released to the public in late 1983. It featured a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a reworked engine (the 850 engine now had an ultra skimmed head to raise the compression ratio along with a new camshaft for improved low-end torque), a new needle in the SU carburetor and a specific distributor. This engine was named the "economy" engine, with each unit featuring a capital 'E' stamped on the cylinder head, and every engine number ending with a capital 'E'. The rocker cover was painted yellow, which gave the engine the nickname "the yellow top".

Reliant had initially wanted to launch the original Rialto with these improvements but were unable due to time pressures during development, therefore the original MkI Rialto was a compromise to build demand using a number of carryover parts from the Robin.