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The sight of a three-wheel classic out on the UK roads is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face.

They are something of a novelty these days, but did you know that the first cars sported just three wheels?

Since then, more than 1,200 different models of three-wheeler have been produced.

Do you have a personal favourite?

For many people, it’s the Reliant Supervan III that comes to mind – in particular, the iconic yellow van belonging to Del Boy and Rodney in the long-running BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Or perhaps it’s the same van in another British TV comedy, Mr. Bean, in which there’s a running gag that involves the lead character frequently coming into conflict with a light blue 1972 Supervan III, which gets tipped over, crashed into, or bumped out of its parking space.

There’s no doubting that three-wheelers have a touch of comedy about them – but they also have tons of charm.

It’s not a surprise to see the values of the most popular classic models shooting up in recent years, with people wanting to experience what it’s like to own and drive a three-wheeler – they certainly provide a unique feel behind the wheel.

In this article, we’ll share some of our three-wheeled favourites – and then touch on why it’s so important to have adequate classic car insurance when you are driving with one fewer wheel!

1. Reliant Robin

   While we’ve spent a bit of time talking about the Reliant Supervan III, in a list of three-wheelers, it would be unjust not to mention the Reliant Robin.

   Undoubtedly one of the most famous three-wheelers of all time, this British icon delighted 63,000 buyers over its long life.

   Not bad for a car which was notorious for its steering wheel coming off in the hands of the driver…

   At the time of its release in 1973, it was the most practical car in Britain.

   Coming with a top speed 85mph, the Robin was cheap to run, license and insure.

   Widely popular, it remained in the market until 1981, returning from 1989 to 2001.

2. Bond Bug

   

   The weirdly wedge-shaped Bond Bug was designed by the same team as the Reliant Robin, sharing its unseen chassis and mechanical parts with Reliant cars.

   But the 1970s Bug wasn’t made for the mass market like the Robin – instead, it was aimed at younger drivers.

   With a look that epitomizes the time, it had two, racy bucket seats, and a lift-up canopy that took the roof and the windscreen with it as it rose up.

   While many would argue that the funky-looking Bug was a design success, it didn’t really take off – less than 2,500 were sold – but that only serves to make it a highly collectable classic today.

   However, you can still get your hands on a Bug for a reasonably priced £10,000, if you’re lucky enough to find one.

3. Reliant Rialto

   

   Around the time the Robin was embroiled in a safety scandal around its ‘retractable’ steering wheel – which, unsurprisingly, put buyers off – Reliant came up with the Rialto as its replacement.

   Perhaps trying to reinvent itself, the Rialto appealed to a more modern buyer with its aerodynamic nose and big windows – but underneath the exterior, it was the same car as the Robin, albeit with more reliable steering.

   The most distinguishable feature of the Rialto was the thick stripe running from front to rear, in either gold, graphite or silver according to body colour.

   However, as nifty as the Rialto was, it was only produced for five years (1982-87) so finding a good one now will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

4. BMW Isetta

   

   If you’ve ever wondered how fast 13 horsepower could propel you, the BMW Isetta 300 provides the answer.

   This tiny “bubble car” was packed with a BMW single-cylinder, four-stroke 298cc engine, which produced enough power to take two adults and their luggage at speeds of up to 53mph.

   The Isetta was actually made to be a four-wheeler – but it was redesigned into a three-wheeler for the UK market so drivers could take advantage of low tax rates as a motorised tricycle.

   The adaptation also meant the vehicle could be driven legally on a motorcycle licence.

   Did you know that the Isetta was produced at a plant in Brighton, which was only accessible by rail? Components were railed in and all finished cars were shipped out the same way.

   The Isetta remained in production in Great Britain from 1957 to 1962.

5. Berkeley T60

   

   Another car manufacturer who saw a gap in the market for a three-wheeler that would appeal to ex-motorcyclists who could legally drive a trike was Berkeley.

   In 1959, it released its rival to the Bond and the Reliant.

   The sporty T60 was powered by a 328cc Excelsior motorcycle engine.

   It proved pretty popular, too, despite only being in production for a year.

   Between 1959 and 1960, 1,830 T60s were sold, acting as a good entry-level sports car option for buyers who couldn’t afford something with four wheels.

   Were it not for the collapse of Berkeley’s parent company, the T60 could have gone on to be a real success.

Finding the right classic car insurance

Three-wheelers are not as prone to tipping over as some might have you believe, if driven sensibly.

But you still need to make sure you have adequate classic car insurance in case anything unforeseen happens.

As we’re specialists here at Lancaster Insurance, we have access to a panel of vintage car insurance schemes in the UK.

As a leading, reputable provider of classic car insurance for over 30 years, we are committed to offering our customers a wealth of experience and exceptional customer service.

We work with carefully selected underwriters to enable us to offer bespoke insurance solutions, with our customers in mind.

Using our great experience and knowledge of the industry, we are able to quote for virtually every classic car available, even those with three wheels!

To get a quote for your classic, call our team on 01480 484826 today.