Good original condition throughout but scope for improvement
Compomotive split rim alloys
Mechanically sound
BACKGROUND
The Scimitar was produced by Reliant in various guises for 22 years, between 1964 and 1986, where it evolved from a Coupe, called the GT, to a sport’s estate, the GTE and later there was a convertible version launched in 1980, called the GTC.
All models utilised a fibreglass body which were mounted on a steel box-section chassis and all models made use of Ford engines. This GTE has the ‘Essex’ Ford 3.0 V6 engine fitted, sending power to the rear wheels via a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive on 3rd and 4th.
There are plenty of receipts for various works and parts done between 1996 to 2019 when it was owned by the previous owner, a Scimitar enthusiast, who had it for 27 years until selling it to the current owner.
The current owner, who has begun the task of tidying the car up has done very little work, and another project now beckons. The car has travelled only 14,000 miles in the past 29 years.
The V5c is present showing 10 previous keepers and there are 3 keys, a workshop manual, many receipts for parts and works through the years and MOT certificates from 1989 to 2000, with one from 2017.
The car will come with a brand new MOT valid for 12 months.
It’s a nice and roomy interior and has a certain sportiness designed into it, being effectively a sporting estate car.
The good new is that with small amount of attention in the right places, this could be easily be brought back to its former glory. Specifically, the passenger window winder knob is missing, there’s a dent in the driver’s door speaker and a split in the door card fabric, though a spare complete door card is supplied to remedy this.
The deep and comfortable seats are in fairly good condition but perhaps would benefit from a good deep clean, as would the headlining which is showing no sign of sagging. The carpets could do with a good and thorough clean and refitting in both foot wells and the rear passenger footwell carpet looks particularly stained.
The rear trim and interior carpeting under the rear hatch window needs sorting out and the driver’s door window trim is showing a fair bit of surface rusting. As was common back in the day the sound system has been improved with different speakers and that old favourite, the graphic equaliser.
Included in the sale is a small sport’s wooden steering wheel which was originally fitted to the car but the current owner sourced an original wheel which is now fitted.
There’s a fair amount of cracking to the metallic bright blue paintwork in places, which is fairly common to find on fibreglass bodies, and there are several bubbles coming through the paint on the front edge of the bonnet along with a few stone chips that look like they have been touched up.
There’s a couple of light scratches on the bodywork in places, on the bonnet and on the nearside ¾ panel and there is some rust to be found on the rear wiper arm, the chrome headlight surrounds and some of the rubber window seals have cracked and perished, including the seal around the glass pop-up sunroof.
Much of the chrome trim and badges around the car are beginning to pit and could probably be rescued and polished up. The Compomotive split-rim alloys are not standard but suit the car and are all in nice condition, with an original Wolfrace wheel carried as a spare.
The car has recently had new exhaust manifold bolts and its oil and filter changed, both cylinder heads were taken off and decarbonised.
All new manifold to head and head to downpipe studs were fitted with correct brass nuts, and is reported to start and run well with no issues to advise.
There’s something very attractive about a sporting estate, the proportions and the design is appealing and the interior has a much more sporty feel than a more run-of-the-mill estate car.
The V6 3.0 Ford engine provides more than enough performance, bearing in mind the lightweight body panels, and the overall result provides a very satisfying drive indeed, making for a really quite practical classic car.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1977 Reliant Scimitar GTE
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