Meet The Owner - Lewis Buchan and His Collection

Owning a classic car is a joy with a few challenges en route: maintenance, restoration costs, having to source spare parts from across the globe and being asked “What’s that then?” in the Tesco car park approximately 1,354 times. Now, imagine those experiences multiplied by 28. We met Lewis and his Royal Mail Scammell Scarab in 2020, but that was only one member of his fleet. As he explains:

Believe it or not, watching Mr Bean as a kid inspired me. I used to be fascinated by the Reliant Regal Supervan he used to bump out of spaces with his Mini, and that kind of set me on a dream to own one someday. My collection now comprises about 28 vehicles, a mixture of restoration projects and on-the-road cars. I think the oldest vehicle in the fleet is my 1948 BSA Bantam D1, but car wise it would be the 1954 Reliant Regal Mk. 2.

Of course, space is always an issue with such a fleet, but Lewis finds the most significant challenge in maintaining the collection is finding the time to devote to them all. Planning is essential - “I try to separate the collection into three lists: completed projects, awaiting general maintenance and full restoration projects.”

Naturally, given his collection, Lewis is a keen advocate of three-wheeled vehicles, a form of motoring with a long history in this country. AC or Reliant products transported countless households who wanted more comfort than a motorcycle and sidecar. The Scarab was once a ubiquitous sight in towns, especially in British Railways’ livery, and three-wheeled invalid carriages are an essential part of British motoring history. As Lewis observes:

I would 100% say three-wheelers are a very misunderstood vehicle in the UK. They always seem to be the butt of a joke that they roll over easily, which is very much untrue, and from my experience, it only seems to be idiots who actually manage to fully roll one over! Overall, they are actually a rather fun and fuel-efficient way to head out and enjoy a quirky classic.

Lewi’s first three-wheeler was a 1981 Reliant Super Robin 850; - “I bought it over ten years ago for taking away, and I fully restored it”. Many of those who deride the Robin forget how successful it was and how Reliant targeted Mini drivers who needed cheaper transport in the wake of the OPEC Fuel Crisis. Nor, as Lewis will readily tell you, was there ever a vehicle named the “Robin Reliant”.

As for the number one member of the fleet, Lewis remarks:

Picking a favourite is quite a common question I’m asked, and it’s extremely hard to pick a favourite. For just a nice driving car, the Robin 850 ticks the boxes, but for something to just head out for a leisurely drive for ice cream or a fly cup, then you really cannot beat the fun of the 1955 Reliant Regal Mk.2 convertible!

Reliant exhibited the Regal Mk.1 at Earls Court in 1952, followed by the Mk.2 in May of 1954. Power was from a 747cc engine giving, as the Tamworth firm boasted, “50 Miles To The Gallon – 65 Miles Per Hour”. Reliant also boasted it was “The Only Three-Wheeler Giving Real Car Performance At Motor Cycling Costs”, which is precisely what most buyers required.

The Mk.2 was the last metal-bodied Regal saloon – the replacement 1956 Mk. 3 had GRP construction – and another selling point was its “Four Speed and Reverse Gearbox”. In 1952, all Vauxhalls and British Fords still had three-speed transmission. However, before 1963, only motorists with a full car licence could have reverse gear on a 3-wheeled vehicle. A motorcyclist licence holder with no car licence had to blank off the reverse gear.

Ultimately, as Lewis says, “All in all, it’s hard to pick a favourite as they all have their little quirks that make them so special to drive and own!” Including, to quote the brochure, the Super Robin’s “carpets throughout and plush velour seat coverings”.

With Thanks To: Lewis Buchan