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The very first Reliant vehicle emerged from 29 Kettlebrook Road in Tamworth on 1 January 1935, and this event has been immortalised by a blue plaque. It has been organised by the Tamworth Heritage Trust after years of lobbying from the Reliant Motor Club and founders, Elvis Payne and Mark Cropper.

The house was home to motorcycle engineer, Tom Williams, who designed a three-wheeled car that was made by Raleigh in Nottingham. When the company decided to stick to bicycles, Williams moved to his parents-in-law’s house where he built a three-wheeled van in the garden workshop and came up with the Reliant name.

Former Reliant executive, Barrie Wills, says: ‘ The shed is still there. It’s brick-built, which I guess is why it’s still standing!’ Giles Chapman