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Starting life in 1935 the first Reliants were fitted with a 600cc 15hp J.A.P single cylinder engine and the driver sat astride the engine. This was soon replaced in 1936 by the J.A.P 750cc V twin engine so now a passenger could be carried as the van gave a more car like experience whilst driving, the vans size was also increased to 8CWT. Wanting more power in 1939 the Austin 750cc side valve engine was sourced and fitted to all vans and also allowed for the larger size van to now be made the 10CWT. After the second world war Austin announced that they were no longer going to produce the engine Reliant used, so a deal was done and Reliant could then produce there own version of the engine and Reliants first in house made engine was born.
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