This Reliant Kitten is powered by a 3500cc Rover V8 engine and can accelerate to 100 mph from a standing start in under 10 seconds. Each rear tyre is over 300mm (12") wide and the car has a tube chassis/rollcage. I built the car when I was 20 years old and drive it regularly on the road surprising many supposedly fast cars and motor bikes. I built the car in our small single garage with basic hand tools ( hacksaw, files, angle grinder, etc.) and towards the end of the project I had the use of a MIG welder. A TIG welder was hired to weld the chassis. I carried out all the work myself except some of the machining, paint and wiring. The following pages show the design, build and driving of the car.
Detailed specification of the Reliant Kitten.
10 pictures. The car as purchased, plans for build, stripping and mock up of car.
10 pictures. Further stripping of the car, more mocking up, basic flat chassis, wheels and tyres.
10 pictures. Roll cage / frame construction.
10 pictures. Basic frame finished, mounting engine, gearbox and body.
10 pictures. Making and mounting rear end removeable bodywork. Pedal box and axle mounts.
10 pictures. Steering column and panelling the interior.
10 pictures. Painting interior of body, cleaning finished chassis.
10 pictures. Powder coated frame, first time car rolls out of the garage, painting the body.
10 pictures. Build up of the car and wiring.
10 pictures. Finished car and first test run.
10 pictures. First time out at York Drag Way, racing a Reliant Robin.
10 pictures. Street Machine Magazine taking pictures at Blackpool, having fun doing burn outs and driving in the snow.
10 pictures. Rebuild of the car, engine and rear end.
7 pictures. Rebuild of pedal box and front suspension.
