Lot Ended
Description
1970 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5
Recently taken
out of long-term storage; reputedly runs and drives but has been unused for many
years; very straight-looking car in need of recommissioning
The elegant Tom Karen-designed Scimitar GTE was the car
that really put Reliant on the map. Popularised by Princess Anne in the 1970s
(she owned at least eight, all with the registration number 1420 H), the
Scimitar remains one of the most practical classics that money can buy.
Launched as the SE5 in 1968 with a chassis developed by
John Crosthwaite and handsome glassfibre bodywork by Ogle, it was powered by the
trusty Ford 3.0 V6 engine and ‘box. At £1,759 including taxes, it wasn’t cheap
(£422 more than an MGC GT) but a healthy 4,311 were sold before it was replaced
by the SE5A in September 1972.
This had a revised interior fascia, different rear lights
and an extra 7bhp which made it good for 0-60 in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of
121mph (compared to 117mph for the SE5). In 1976 this was in turn replaced by
the wider and heavier SE6 which continued in production until 1986.
First registered in August 1970, this SE5 has been in
storage for many years (an online check shows that it was last taxed in 1989)
but we are told that it still runs and drives. It was driven on and off the
trailer that brought it to Brightwells but we have been unable to start it
since, although the engine spins over easily enough on the key. It rides on some
tasty period alloys and sits well, with a commendably straight and undamaged
body shell although the paintwork is long past its best. The interior also looks
to be in decent shape and should clean up well.
There is no paperwork other than an old style V5 from
1985, some technical literature about the model and an old parts catalogue
from Scimitar specialist Graham Walker of Chester.
Being offered here as a straightforward winter project, it
shouldn’t take much to get it back on the road and a forward-thinking owner may
even choose to stick in an electric motor – there’s plenty of room in the back
for all those batteries...
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT