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Norman Reliant on his Robin

12/ 4/2008

RELIANT Robins were the butt of many jibes over the years – the first was manufactured in 1973 and the last one came off the assembly line in October 2002 – and became the staple material for a generation of British comedians.

Jasper Carrott was fond of the three-wheeler’s aesthetic lines, while a yellow Reliant Kitten will always be remembered by TV viewers as the always over-loaded mode of transport for the Trotter brothers in Only Fools and Horses.

In Smallbridge 10 years ago retired binman Norman Dearden also managed to turn more than a few heads when he passed by in his grey and red Reliant Robin.

And it was not only the fibreglass car that attracted attention, so too did the collection of toys, horse brasses and horns with which Norman had decorated his pride and joy.

The 72-year-old widower, of Hollowspell, loved his car so much he even slept in it if he found himself a long way from home.

As he told the Observer in April 1998: "I have had three or four over the years. They don’t cost a lot of money to run – I can get 65 miles to the gallon – and it will never rust because it is made from fibreglass. You would be surprised what you can get into it – I’ve even had a cement mixer in the back!"

His Robin was so light he even got his son Paul to lift it up when a wheel needed changing!

Norman admitted the way his car looked was more by accident than design.

American visitors he met at Hollingworth Lake one day were astounded by his unusual customising job, which included a Mr Blobby doll and horse brasses of kings and queens of England.

"I do things on the spur of the moment. It is an odd-looking car but I like it. I don't know one car from another but with this everyone knows it is me."