1971 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE CONVERTIBLE Registration Number: ...

Hammer

£7,000

1971 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE CONVERTIBLE

Registration Number: TBA
Chassis Number: 452221
Recorded Mileage: 21,300 miles

- In current ownership for over 30 years
- Subject of a bodywork and trim restoration 

Following its first forays into the sports car market - the Sabre and Sabre Six - Reliant finally began to get it right in 1964 with the introduction of the Scimitar. The handsomely styled newcomer's coupe body was the work of the Ogle design studio, while beneath the skin there was a new chassis, plus the running gear and Ford 2.5-litre straight-six engine of the Sabre Six. The Scimitar's straight-line performance was excellent right from the start - 116mph and 0-60 in 11.4 seconds - and once the rear suspension had been revised (in 1965) it possessed handling to match. A little fewer than 300 were made before the arrival of the improved, Ford V6-engined versions in 1966.

Introduced in October 1968, the trend-setting Scimitar GTE established an entirely new class: the sports estate. Based on the Tamworth firm's existing Scimitar GT coupé, the newcomer boasted a new chassis both longer and wider than its predecessor's while retaining the latter's basic running gear and 3.0-litre Ford V6 engine. Like the coupé, the glassfibre-bodied GTE was the work of Ogle Design, whose brilliant idea was the incorporation of a glass 'hatchback' rear door in a semi-fastback, estate-type 2+2 bodyshell. Blessed with strikingly good looks that would stand the test of time, the GTE was comfortable, practical and fast. The model proved a huge commercial success for Reliant and spawned a host of imitations from larger manufacturers.

A 1971 model, this unique Scimitar is one of a handful converted into a targa-roofed cabriolet many years ago. The work was clearly performed to a good standard, the conversion being neat, stylish and well executed, with details such as additional air vents on the bonnet and the front spoiler.

Our current vendor purchased the Scimitar over 30 years ago, and more recently has treated it to a sympathetic restoration. The body was stripped and refinished in dark metallic grey paintwork, set off by classic Wolfrace wheels on each corner. The interior was retrimmed in leather/alcantara, with new carpeting, full mohair hood, tonneau cover and hood bag, and a Moto-Lita steering wheel. Interestingly at some point the Scimitar was fitted with a lifting system, negating the need for a separate jack for removing the road wheels.

Since the work was completed the Scimitar has been used in the summer time and for holidays to France, during which it ran very well with a decent amount of 'oomph' on the autoroute.

The car has been dry stored recently and will benefit from a new service and MoT certificate prior to sale. A cool, interesting, unusual and capable car, this sensibly estimated sportscar makes the ideal summer companion. Note: Interested parties should note the private registration number ‘PEN 19’ will be sold via separate negotiation, the car will be offered instead on an age-related plate.