“The Club for Owners and Enthusiasts of Britain’s finest specialist car manufacturer”
No 23. December 2021
Tamworth's first AR Reliant!
Welcome to our December newsletter, we hope that everyone and their families are safe and well. We have timed this newsletter to coincide with the launch of a new project from Tamworth Borough Council (TBC) being launched today (Dec 13th 2021) with a new Augmented reality trail around Tamworth. For those unfamiliar with Augmented reality (AR) it is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology. Therefore, in this case, when you view the world through the camera on your phone, you see things that are not actually there.
The TBC have created a new AR trail around Tamworth where bits of history come to life at various locations and we are delighted to have assisted with the project when it comes to all things Reliant. As such when visitors reach, for example, the birth place of Reliant founder, Tom Williams, you will be presented with some text about Reliant and then if you turn on your camera, a full size Reliant Robin will appear in front of you. Prior to the launch we were given a secret link to download and test the app and we thought both the app and the new AR Reliant was superb. You can even walk all the way around the Robin, take photos, and then watch it start its engine, do a few doughnuts and then drive off.
Testing the app, Elvis admits that he did get a few strange looks from passers by taking photos of a car no one else could see and even more so when our son Harvey was stood posing next to it becoming the first person to have his photo taken with the AR Robin although we wonder, who will be the first person to take a photo of their Reliant next to it? Each AR character is GPS locked and so they only appear once you reach those co-ordinates. If you are visiting Tamworth, the new AR app can be downloaded at: http://www.visittamworth.co.uk/historic-trail
We will have more details in our December magazine.
Until next time,
Take care and stay safe,
Caroline
RMC Secretary
The first photo of the new AR Reliant Robin waiting to greet everyone who has the new Historical Tamworth app installed.
Motoring Book of the Year 2021
The RMC would like to congratulate Andy Plumb whos excellent book, "Tipping Point" was awarded the Motoring Book of the Year 2021 by the RAC. Given the types of books Andy was up against in the competition, it is testimony to both Andy's hard work and the completed book.
Andy has kindly written an article about the award and his book that can be read in our December 2021 Magazine released later this month.
Congratulations Andy!
Help with a Myth or Fact - Rothman Bugs
We are still looking into whether the white Rothman's Bond Bug is actually a myth or fact as whilst there are white Bond Bugs purporting to be the original Rothman Bond Bugs there appears to be no historical accounts of the vehicles. Thank you to everyone who sent us links and photos although all were related to recent photos of white Bugs. What we really need is historical information or an old 1970s photograph that shows the Rothman's Bond Bug
If you have any period material from the 1970s that shows they did indeed exist then please let us know so we can determine if this is a myth or a fact.
RELIANT MOTOR CLUB REVIEW: No 11
The latest edition of the Reliant Motor Club Review (No 11 December 2021) is currently being finalized and will be sent to RMC members later this month and once issued will also be downloaded from our website. As you can see the new AR Robin appears on the cover,
Amongst many other stories, our 11th edition features Part 2 of the story from former Reliant MD Ray Wiggin's grandson Ben Kitchen and a 10 Question Interview with one of Reliant's longest serving employees. Mick Hilton who worked at Reliant for 34 years..
For those who have recently joined or opted out of our mailing list, this and past editions that can be viewed here.
Remember. this is your club so if you have a story or anything you would like to share with club members via the magazine then please let us know.
The December 2021 edition will be emailed to all current RMC members as soon as it is ready.
A reminder to all our members looking for insurance for their vehicles. We have partnered with classicline insurance to find the best deal and better still, RMC members receive 10% off. To find out more information visit their website at www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk
One of the key aims of the RMC is to co-exist and work alongside other clubs and so we feel compelled to also thank the Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners Club, the Bug Club and the Kitten Register for all their encouragement and cooperation. The RMC is also a member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, the Tamworth and District Civic Society, the Tamworth Heritage Trust and shares resources with the Staffordshire County Council Archives Department.
Reliant Motor Club Window Sticker
Our RMC window stickers make a great addition to any car. What better way to show your affiliation to the Reliant Motor Club.
For more information on a RMC window sticker for your car(s), please click here.
Membership Discounts:
Amongst other benefits RMC members are also eligible for the following discounts:
The perfect way to enjoy a cuppa when you have been busy in the garage or indeed to have at hand whilst browsing the RMC website.
Mugs cost £5 each plus £3 Post & Packing (for overseas orders please enquire). For more details please contact mark@reliantclub.co.uk
The Reliant Motor Company
Elvis Payne's book entitled The Reliant Motor Company has been receiving some very positive praise for both its wide coverage of Reliant and for its historical accuracy. With a foreword by H.R.H The Princess Royal, this is the first book to cover the whole of Reliant, both three wheeler and four wheeler models, in a single volume. It also includes numerous projects in addition to vehicles created for the car industry in Turkey and Israel.
Click here for more info. The book is priced at £18.95 and is available at all good book shops.
We are also delighted to announce the following Reliant Specialist who support the RMC:
Reliant Partsworld UK's largest range of Reliant parts and spares.
Tel: 01543 431 941
BERRYBROOK
Specialist offering servicing, repairs and MOTs.
Tel: 01392 833301
If you have not already done so please come along and join us, our online signup process takes just a few minutes. Membership is £8.50 for 1 year or £15.50 for 2 years.
For more information please visit www.reliant.website.
Join us on Social Media
Don't forget we are on Facebook and Twitter (Links below) where you can catch up on the latest news.
DriveTribe
We were the first "Reliant Tribe" to appear on the DriveTribe web site. Why not visit and join the tribe. Click here
