Overdrive really gives this Reliant a magnificent longer stride, however most came as autos. It was Michelotti's last design. Read Owners' Reviews Introduction The Reliant Scimitar SS1 had all the ingredients for success - it was affordable, based on tried and trusted components, and had the market pretty much to itself when it arrived in 1984. Let’s not forget the GTC – Tamworth’s Triumph Stag. Make sure the front seats feel secure; the frames can fracture as they’re not very well made, leading to back seat driving just when you don’t want it. Some cars have been converted to the later 2.9-litre engine, with or without fuel injection, and generally mated to a fi ve-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic. The latter is the stronger of the two, but both are generally reliable if the car isn’t used for towing (many are). The key thing to check is the state of the main rails; they’re usually preserved by leaked engine oil, but not always. Car reviews. So a heavily revised GTE appeared in 1976, known as the SE6. 1986 Reliant Scimitar SS1 Reviews. The GTC should have been another money spinner for Reliant. Replacing both is easy (poly bushes are readily available), but in the case of the latter the correct shims should have been used or the camber will be out. Will my 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK appreciate in value if I keep it in good condition? Featuring a much wider, longer bodyshell along with bigger doors and moulded bumpers in place of the previous conventional chromed items, it moved the GTE further upmarket with a price to match: £4368 in March 1976. In 1979, the 2.8-litre V6 Ford ‘Cologne’ engine was introduced, adding little to the mix, other than continued supply. Also check the heater works okay; they’re a poor design anyway and access to overhaul the matrix of the SE5a onward is tricky. For a long while, the Reliant Scimitar GTE was a maligned oddity to be avoided at all costs, but this distinctive-looking shooting brake has finally come of age and now is the time to buy. It’s also seemingly eternally underrated, with a loyal band of owners singing its praises, and everyone else agreeing it was a great idea… and yet, current values do not reflect the car’s influence on the wider automotive scene. Fast, roomy, and very useful, cheap running gear and great specialist support, also still relatively cheap to buy considering its fame and ability, Lacking in build quality, with well-known corrosion issues. Lifestyle opinion. However, all cars are fast, refi ned, relaxed tourers that can give many moderns a run for their money as well as make a superb criminally under priced daily driver alternative. Nothing wrong in that but check the transmission and clutch for wear. Brewed onsite in Tamworth, Scimitar was a one off ale created by George Greenaway, The other likely malady are the rocker posts pulling out of the heads; if the engine sounds especially tappety, suspect this is about to happen. The final generation of Reliant produced GTEs - the SE6b - failed to replicate the success of the earlier models. The Reliant Scimitar name was used for a series of sports car models produced by British car manufacturer Reliant between 1964 and 1986. I have an old Lada Riva. Overview. Essex-engined SE6s used to be prone to overheating because of their marginal cooling system. The areas most likely to be affl icted with crazing and cracking are the corners of the bonnet, the base of the windscreen pillars, the panel below the window on the tailgate and around each of the door handles, along with the wiper spindle hole in some of the earlier models. The later Cologne V6 doesn’t have the torque of its Essex predecessor so Reliant fi tted a lower ratio back axle to maintain acceleration levels. There were also three-speed automatic transmissions available; early cars featured a Borg Warner Type 35 unit while from the SE6 there was a Ford-sourced C3 ‘box. That large Triumph model had clearly provided inspiration – with its T-piece targa arrangement and removable hardtop – and, just like its fellow British marque, Reliant struggled to meet ambitious sales expectations. It seems a pity to scrap it, but does it have any value? However, cracks, crazing and poorly repaired accident damage are all too common and can cause lots of grief and expense. Where can you get cheap classic car insurance? Costing £1559 at its ’68 launch and some £300 more than the 2.5 SE4 that continued in production until late 1970, around 2500 examples of the SE5 were made before the SE5a replaced it three years later. All Scimitars featured a Ford V6 engine; the 3-litre Essex unit was fi tted until 1979, when it was superseded by the smoother 2.8-litre Cologne lump. Reliant Scimitar GTE 2.5 V6 Automatic, 1970 at Billesholms Veteranbilsträff Juni / 2016 and 5 other events at Concours d’Élégance Paleis Het Loo 2016 4 years ago Check the colour of the transmission fl uid if in doubt (the dipstick is at the rear of the engine, accessed from under the bonnet); it should be pink rather than black. Now you want to know all about it! It’s a skill you can learn at home, but making invisible repairs to glassfi bre can be fraught with problems such as paint sinkage and joints that are less than perfectly blended in. You’re onto a winner with the Reliant’s glassfi bre bodywork, as rust isn’t an issue. If you’re going to have to get this work done, also budget to have some relays fi tted into the headlight and electric fan circuits. This review has 0 comments - Be the first! Once hot, expect to see 15-20psi at tickover and 50-75psi at 2500rpm. 1972 Reliant Scimitar: the ultimate sporting hold-all? We do not stock or supply any of these products, we independently review these products. None give problems, but each type uses its own fi xings – so make sure the correct type is fitted by looking for signs of movement or wear around the mounting holes. Triumph TR4 vs. Jensen Healey vs. Sunbeam Alpine vs. Reliant SS1. Being an unstressed unit, the Essex powerplant tends to be durable. While Tornado had offered its Typhoon sporting load carrier already (a kit car based upon an old Ford Popular-ed), it wasn’t until the Scimitar arrived in GTE (GrandTouring Estate) form that the sporting load lugger became a mainstream car. The new model was known as the SE5; its predecessor was the SE4. And today, values remain criminally low. The syspension’s inherent design is good if wear prone plus the cheap dampers were knownto weaken prematurely. Combine that with a glassfi bre bodyshell and you have a car that feels fabulously nimble and it’s quick too, thanks to that lusty 3-litre Ford Essex up front. Yet Reliant revived the name in the eighties with the Scimitar SS1. Reliant Scimitar GTE Review Born from the mad designs of the styling house Ogle, the Reliant Scimitar GTE was always going to have a curious life. The Middlebridge Scimitar was built between 1988 and 1990. Combine that with a glassfi bre bodyshell and you have a car that feels fabulously nimble and it’s quick too, thanks to that lusty 3-litre Ford Essex up front. 1976 Reliant Scimitar GTE 3.0L V6 Essex from UK and Ireland. The blend of practicality and sporting appeal that makes the Scimitar such a useable and entertaining classic made it instantly desirable, while behind the wheel was a throbbing V6. Within a year the production rights had transferred to Graham Walker, but production was never resumed. Stylish, luxurious and speedy, the new Scimitar was a complete contrast to the company’s downmarket threewheelers and the fi rst – and not very good Reliant sportster of 1961. With excellent handling, care of a pretty sophisticated Aston-like rear suspension, a decent ride and plenty of feedback from the brakes as well as the steering… Interview - Pat Afford (Reliant co-founder, E.S Thompson’s daughter) Interview - Jack Timbury (Ex-Reliant apprentice 1937 - 1938) Interview - Microsoft on Supervan III in Forza Horizon 3 game; Interview - Trident Motors Inc. USA (Former Reliant customer) Members Stories - Daniel Clift (UK) / … The blend of practicality and sporting appeal that makes the Scimitar such a useable and entertaining classic made it instantly desirable, while behind the wheel was a … It’s also important that you get the right derivative for your needs; as the car was developed, its character changed signifi - cantly. Reliant's first Scimitar was a coupé based upon the styling of a Daimler SP250 prototype (renamed the SX250) and the chassis of a Reliant Sabre. A set of quality replacements and poly bushing is a wise step along with good quality tyres. However, if you drive a dog you’ll never get it, so ensure any potential purchase is scrutinised closely. However, this derivative is the one that causes headaches thanks to its plastic dash surround, which is prone to cracking. Power steering from a later SE6 can be fi tted and worth doing as the tiller can be heavy when compared to moderns. You need to drive a properly sorted Scimitar to understand what all the fuss is about; they really do offer a perfect blend of fun and practicality. Reliant's first Scimitar was a coupé based upon the styling of a Daimler SP250 prototype (renamed the SX250) and the chassis of a Reliant Sabre.It was first displayed in 1964. 1976 Reliant Scimitar Reviews. Back in the late 1960s you could have something sporty or cavernous, but not both – until Reliant came along. With excellent handling, care of a pretty sophisticated Aston-like rear suspension, a decent ride and plenty of feedback from the brakes as well as the steering, the GTE is more of a driver’s car than you’d think any estate of this era could ever be. Some late SE6bs and GTCs have a galvanised chassis which is unlikely to have any corrosion. Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5A. ... provided the inspiration for the Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5 launched in 1968. The fi rst sign of old age is jumping out of second or fourth gears; when this happens you’ll need to rebuild the gearbox or buy an exchange unit. Why Edd China was right to quit Wheeler Dealers. A strip down and re … The Reliant Scimitar SS1 is an automobile which was produced by British manufacturer Reliant from 1984.. Aiming to fill a gap in the small sports car market, Scimitar SS1 was launched in 1984 at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham. Carmakers create a new market segment every week nowadays, but it wasn’t always so. ... As part the Reliant Scimitar GTE’s 50th Anniversary in October 2018, the Reliant Motor Club teamed with with Tamworth Brewring Co. to unveil a new celebratory beer called Scimitar. Without doubt the GTE is best remembered in SE5 guise. Fuseboxes can melt; SE5 units are underthe bonnet while those in an SE6 are in the passenger footwell. It’s unlikely to be rotten as such; repairs can almost always be carried out; the issue is how much work is needed. It was powered by a 2.6 L Ford straight six from the Ford Zephyr / Ford Zodiac. A simple clean up, Loctite and re-torque provides a long-lasting fi x. Scimitar manual gearboxes (four-speed with or without overdrive) are tough enough, but prone to oil leaks. As with many glassfibre cars, the Scimitar’s electrics can be extremely temperamental through poor design, bodges and age. It was first displayed in 1964. During that time overdrive and a rear wash/wipe were made standard while a Ford automatic transmission became an option. Specs datasheet with technical data and performance data plus an analysis of the direct market competition of Reliant Scimitar GTE 3 Litre in 1971, the model with 3-door kammback coupe body and V-6 2994 cm3 / 182.9 cui engine size, 95.5 kW / 130 PS / 128 hp (DIN) of power, 261 Nm / 192 lb-ft of torque, 4-speed manual powertrain offered up to October 1971 for Europe . The fi nal Reliant-built car was made in 1986, and delivered to GTE fan Princess Anne. However, if the GTE does have any shortcomings, they’re well hidden. Reliant Review catalog. Few would ever sample it though, because by the time the Middlebridge GTE arrived, the basic design was over two decades old, and buyers wanted something rather more modern for their money. Greasing at least twice annually is essential to prevent suspension failures. Note that we’re talking SE5 models here because the SE6 that replaced the SE5a in 1976 lost too much of its driver appeal as it grew in length (four inches) and girth as well as weight. Road tax-exempt SE5, galvanised SE6bs and concours examples of any of the models are higher than for all other Scimitars, but they’re all superb value. Buy a good GTE for at least £1500 and you’ll reap the benefi ts of the previous owner’s care, while really good cars start at £3000. As a British success story, the Reliant Scimitar GTE remains one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. Subscribe to Classic Motoring Magazine and save over 25%, Cheap, fast, practical, tough, easy to tune, easy to maintain, style, Some of the details a bit cheap, overheating and fi re issues, slow appreciator, Ford engines ensure good performance and ease of running. The organisers of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, have decided to postpone the 2020 event. Faults: Wiper motor seized, front and back. Is a towbar fi tted? It can take a while for oil pressure to build on early Essex V6s – perhaps as much as fi ve seconds. When it emerged in 1980, it had the market all to itself – the Stag had been dead three years. Monthly Car asked way back in 1971 “Is this Britain’s most underrated car?”. 1974 Reliant Scimitar 1974 Reliant Scimitar price guide for classic cars. Like GTE, trim fails, . As a result a fair chunk of the agility was lost and the Scimitar’s edge was decidely blunted. What one is now fi tted to the car? Share It did them no favours having the Reliant badge, either. Power steering is highly desirable. There was now a 2.9i engine and fi ve-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, but before 75 cars had been produced, the company went bust. Reliant launched the Scimitar GTE in August 1968; a Ford Zodiac-powered sporting estate based on the more conventional coupe that preceded it but larger, better handling and far more practical. The next year Middlebridge bought the production rights to the GTE but it wasn’t until 1989 that the relaunched car became available. Check for usual GRP crazing and bodged repairs, Switchgear comes from variety of cars, known to fail, Stag-like GTC is full four-seater. In this bigger, heavier GTE it became almost intolerably heavy and – in the case of Autocar’s long term test car – even caused the steering wheel to fracture due to fatigue! The design may have aged gracefully, but demand tailed off. This featured Ford’s 2.8-litre Cologne engine with better cooling and a lower fi nal drive ratio; 437 were made. With the help of Parkers, you can find out all of the key specs about the Reliant Scimitar from fuel efficiency in MPG and top speed in MPH, to running costs, dimensions, data and lots more. Found the Reliant Scimitar of your dreams? That said the GTE certainly became more practical thanks to a more spacious and luxurious cabin but for many enthusiasts the trade off was too great.When Ford’s 2.8-litre Cologne V6 replaced the Essex unit in 1980, the resulting SE6b was smoother and more refi ned, but it was also less torquey. The main problem wasn’t the product at all, as this was very good, but the   fact the car was launched in the middle of a recession. Discussions still abound as to whether it’s due to the fl uid capacity, the cooling fan, the routing of the pipework, the cross-fl ow radiator, the water pump or even the underbonnet airfl ow.Most owners solve any problems by reverting troublesome cars to the SE5a pipework and carefully maintaining the system. The original Scimitar of the sixties and seventies was a V6-powered machine that was famously popular with Princess Anne. High gearing was a Scimitar hallmark, making for relaxed rapid cruising with the torquey Essex V6. Keep it polite and on topic. When the later German 2.8 V6 replaced the evergreen Capri 3-litre, the Scimitar was blunted but was improved on the MIddlebridge motors when the freerbreathing 2.9-litre came on stream. The last models were a real improvement over the earlier SE6s, though, as they were lighter and stiffer and more comprehensively equipped. When Middlebridge took over the GTE’s production, it fi tted a 2.9-litre fuel-injected version of the Cologne engine, which offered more of the same really – extra power and refi nement but ultimately the same basic characteristics. Home > Reliant > Scimitar > 1976. The GTE formula was so right that Reliant choose to grow it rather than come up with a replacement. Circuits at the rear of the car can be especially trouble-prone, but all circuits can cause problems which is why it’s worth replacing the factory-fitted glass-fuse boxes fi tted with the more modern blade type. Four types of wheel were offered over the years by the factory. Original-style dashboards are no longer available, but you occasionally see glassfi bre replacements for sale. Unless you’re intent on a body-off restoration, you’re better off fi nding another car. GTE projects start at all of £50, but wade in at this end of the market and it’ll cost at least another £1000 in parts alone to create a car that’s reliable and looks reasonably smart – but you’ll have to do all the work yourself if the bills aren’t to mushroom. It’s hard to credit that this clean, stylish shape is well over 40 years old, but fatter SE6 not so nice. Then there’s the 17ACR alternator, which even when new wasn’t really strong enough; if any extra electrical items have been fi tted, this can lead to the charging system packing in. If the Scimitar has an Achilles’ heel, it’s the front suspension, which is prone to wear in numerous places. Don’t let that put you off this brilliant bargain all rounder though. The name was reported to stand for Small Sports 1. Reliant brought in BRM’s (That’s British Racing Motors) John Crosthwaite to design a chassis for the Scimitar; his cruciform backbone design provides excellent stiffness without being unduly heavy. 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