1988 RELIANT TW9 ANT TIPPER
ENGINE 848cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 39bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 62lb ft@3500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 50mph 0-60MPH Good luck with that FUEL CONSUMPTION 33-37mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 34,479 miles
EXTERIOR GRP cab in good condition INTERIOR Seats don’t adjust Gear stick is behind you MECHANICALS Perky engine All works as it should WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This is one of the slowest and most unnerving vehicles we’ve ever driven. Rear visibility is impaired by a madly vibrating rear view mirror and door mirrors that are hard to adjust. The brakes aren’t very powerful – no big deal, since you’re unlikely to be travelling at more than 29mph – but the steering feels extremely direct because you sit over the one front wheel. The gearshift is surprisingly good, but the engine is positioned where the gearlever would normally be, so the lever is positioned way back on the transmission tunnel and therefore difficult to operate. The motor revs well and feels strong, but is very low-geared in order to achieve its 16cwt load capacity, so it feels slow.
BODYWORK CHECK
With a very cool Seventies Ogle Design cab sitting on a ladder chassis, this is a striking-looking vehicle. The GRP and gelcoat are in good shape, the only cracks are around the door mirrors and there are a couple of small scrapes very low on the corners. The bumper and mirrors are in good condition, though the sliding side windows are quite stiff. The aluminium rear tipper bed is undamaged and the hydraulic lift works as it should. All three wheels wear new tyres and the vehicle comes with a tow bar and flashing orange roof beacon. A new fuel tank has just been fitted, too.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The cabin is a basic but clever piece of design. The doorcards and pulls are moulded into the panel, and the whole interior is one gigantic piece of exposed GRP, providing the dashboard, central console and seat bases. Each of the two simple upright seats (which don’t adjust) comprise a pair of square cushions, instruments are contained within a wooden dashboard panel and the top of the centre console lifts off to reveal the engine, located in the middle of the cab. The pedal brackets and brake reservoir are all exposed around the driver and there’s an interior work lamp on the dash. It’s all in good condition considering that it was once a working vehicle.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine cover lifts away to reveal the 850cc four-cylinder unit. It’s hard to see much of it but it looks highly original and unmolested; typical of a local authority vehicle. What’s more, it’s not been overly cleaned to disguise any leaks or past repairs.
THE CCW VIEW
Very much a niche vehicle, this little Reliant perfectly executes the work for which it was intended and served Norwich Council well for years. It runs well and is in fine condition so could make an ideal promotional vehicle for a gardening or construction company, as the tipper body is perfectly functional.