Reliant Kitten

Reliant Kitten
Overview
Manufacturer Reliant
Production 1975-1982
4074 made
Designer Ogle
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door saloon[1]
3-door estate car/van[1]
Powertrain
Engine 848 cc light alloy I4[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 84.5 in (2,146 mm)[1]
Length 131 in (3,327 mm)Saloon[1]
Width 56 in (1,422 mm)[1]
Height 55 in (1,397 mm)[1]
Curb weight 1120 pounds[1] (508 KG)
Chronology
Predecessor Reliant Rebel
Successor Reliant Fox

The Reliant Kitten is a small economy car which was manufactured from 1975 to 1982 by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England.

Development and history

The Kitten uses Reliant's own 850cc engine, developing 40HP, with the rear section of the chassis essentially the same as that of the Reliant Robin or Reliant Rialto. However, from the middle forwards the car is significantly different, with the engine moved forward to where the three-wheeled Robin's front wheel is and a Reliant-designed (but Lotus-inspired) double wishbone front suspension. Moving the engine forward, compared with the three-wheeled cars, increased driver and front passenger room. The Kitten's chassis, engine, and running gear are the same (with minor modifications) as the later model Reliant/MEBEA Fox pickup introduced in 1982.

In October 1976 a new de luxe version of the Kitten, branded as the Kitten DL, was announced.[2] Improvements included revised springs and dampers and a different anti-roll bar. But mainly the DL model was an uprated interior improvement package. It included more comfortable seats which reclined and tilted, door trims incorporating map pockets made of coloured vinyl, a parcel shelf, volt meter and oil pressure gauges, a radio with twin speakers, chrome hubcaps with chrome surrounds, additional carpets, front and rear fog lights and in some cases rear reversing lights.[2]

Reliant Kitten Estate

On 1 December 1976, a van version of the Kitten was announced. It shared the profile of the Kitten Estate but used the prototype nose of the original Kitten, which had 7-inch Lucas round headlamps, instead of the Kitten's standard square headlamps. The new car had blank panels in place of the windows behind the B-pillar, thus making a van. Other changes included a black vinyl interior with an optional rear bench seat which folded flat.[3]

Reliant Kitten saloon

In 1982 the last Kitten rolled off the production line as its four-wheeled replacement, "The all new Reliant Fox," went into production. The Fox had similar mechanicals to the Kitten, but with a tougher body design: a pickup with hard tops available to also make it into an estate or van type vehicle.

The Sipani Dolphin and Montana

1982 was not the end of production of the Kitten, though, as large numbers were built in Bangalore by Sipani Automobiles Ltd. Renamed the Dolphin, these cars had only slight changes, such as front grill and wheel trims. However, two-door cars were not particularly popular in India as there was a law restricting the sale of such vehicles in half of the country. As a result, Sipani produced the Montana, which had four doors, a hatchback and a more modern appearance. The cars were successful rally cars in India and were seen as a popular home-grown choice of vehicle. Sipani carried on producing vehicles built around the Kitten design and mechanicals into the 1990s.

A "Preservation Society" exists called the Reliant Kitten Register.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Reliant Kitten". Daily Express Motor Show Review 1976. October 1976. p. 42.
  2. 1 2 "News: Changes for Scimitar and a sleeker Kitten". Autocar. Vol. 145 no. 4172. 23 October 1976. p. 101.
  3. ↑ "News: Reliant Kitten van". Autocar. Vol. 145 no. 4178. 4 December 1976. p. 25.
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