Reliant Fox
The Reliant Fox was a compact four-wheel utility vehicle produced by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England, from 1983 to 1990.
Built with a lightweight glass-fibre body and a galvanised steel chassis derived from the Reliant Kitten, it was powered by Reliant’s own 848 cc aluminium inline-four engine.
Although Reliant was best known for its three-wheelers, the Fox became one of the company’s most versatile four-wheel models.
It was available as a pickup with either a hard or soft top, an estate, a van, or even a convertible. Interestingly, unlike earlier Reliant projects that were exported abroad, the Fox followed the opposite route: it originated in Greece before being adopted and developed in Britain.
The story began in the late 1970s when Greek manufacturer MEBEA decided to create a “passenger-utility” vehicle. At the time, Greek tax regulations favoured commercial vehicles, making this type of vehicle particularly attractive.
Several domestic manufacturers, including Namco, Autokinitoviomihania Ellados, MAVA, and Automeccanica, were building similar models. MEBEA, which already assembled Reliant vehicles under licence, adapted the four-wheel Kitten chassis to handle heavier loads and designed a glass-fibre-bodied prototype. Its styling was heavily influenced by the Italian Fiore 127 Gypsy, itself based on the Fiat 127.
To sell the vehicle, MEBEA needed type approval. Since obtaining certification for a locally developed passenger car was difficult, the company partnered with Reliant, allowing the project to use an existing certification process. Reliant became deeply involved in refining the design and securing approval, paving the way for production.
When manufacturing in Greece came to an end, Reliant chose not to abandon the project. Instead, the company transferred production to Tamworth and invested around £500,000 in redesigning the vehicle for the British market.
The Fox entered production in 1983 as an unofficial replacement for the Reliant Kitten. A facelift was later proposed after production ended in 1990, featuring styling inspired by the upcoming Robin hatchback and the Reliant Metrocab, but the project never progressed beyond the design stage.
Exact production numbers remain uncertain. The Reliant Kitten Register states that more than 1,000 Foxes were built between 1983 and 1988, while The Reliant Motor Club estimates just over 600 examples were produced between 1983 and 1990.
Surviving vehicles are exceptionally rare. Official UK registration data indicated that only a single road-legal Fox remained in use in 2015, excluding vehicles in storage, although another survey suggested there were 37 licensed examples and 123 registered as off the road in 2017.
The British-market Fox was powered by Reliant’s familiar 848 cc aluminium engine producing 40 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission. With a 4.1:1 rear axle ratio, it could carry a payload of up to 380 kg in a cargo bed measuring 1,180 × 1,250 mm. The vehicle measured 3,380 mm long and 1,540 mm wide, rode on 155×12SR radial tyres, weighed just 640 kg, and had an impressively tight 7.62-metre turning circle—the same as a London taxi.
Compared with the original Greek version, the British Fox received several important upgrades. It gained a more aerodynamic front end, larger 12-inch wheels instead of the original 10-inch rims, and improved brakes.
From 1984 onwards it adopted Reliant’s HT-E “Yellow Top” economy engine. Although power dropped slightly to 37.5 bhp, the revised engine delivered stronger low-speed torque, making it better suited to commercial work.
Combined with heavier-duty suspension components, these changes improved durability. Reliant claimed a top speed of 78 mph and fuel economy of up to 60 mpg, though owners typically reported figures in the mid-30 mpg range.
The Fox also served as the foundation for several later specialist vehicles. Its chassis and mechanical components were used in the Reliant Tempest 850 roadster and the Vantique van, both offered as either kit cars or factory-built vehicles after Fox production ended. Other vehicles based on the Kitten/Fox platform included the Cipher, Jimp, Salamander, Asquith van, and the Liege sports car.
