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. Its estate-like body, folding rear seats and the addition of an opening rear hatch make it practical for everyday use too, which is another reason to consider buying one. 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. There were steel items with three different glassfi bre trims, ‘Princess Anne’ alloys, Dunlop composite wheels (with an alloy centre riveted to a steel rim) or Wolfrace alloys. Once hot, expect to see 15-20psi at tickover and 50-75psi at 2500rpm. 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… 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. The body style proved such a trendsetter that other manufacturers raced to produce their own versions, with Volvo’s P1800ES and Lancia’s Beta HPE being the most faithful homages. 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. 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. You’re onto a winner with the Reliant’s glassfi bre bodywork, as rust isn’t an issue. Those who have one swear it’s the better car…. 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. Where can you get cheap classic car insurance? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Triumph Spitfire V Reliant Scimitar SS1 Review, Ford Capri vs. Reliant Scimitar GTE vs. We do not stock or supply any of these products, we independently review these products. Greasing at least twice annually is essential to prevent suspension failures. That said the interior was made considerably classier, while power-assisted steering was now made optionally available, there was also a new 20-gallon fuel tank along with Girling dual-circuit brakes plus a stronger automatic gearbox too; 550 SE6s were produced before the updated SE6a appeared with a stronger scuttle, stiffer front springs, a change to Lockheed brakes with larger rear drums and, strangely, smaller front discs; 3878 left the factory before the SE6b debuted in 1980. However, this derivative is the one that causes headaches thanks to its plastic dash surround, which is prone to cracking. One of the most common is stripping of the fi bre timing gears, which is why many owners simply fi t metal replacements; they’re less troublesome but more noisy. Cracks across the top of the front wheelarches are also quite common, but this may be a sign of impact damage, so look out for signs of other problems such as a distorted chassis. 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. A set of quality replacements and poly bushing is a wise step along with good quality tyres. If ever the adage “it goes better than it looks” applied to a car, then it has to be the Scimitar. Power steering is highly desirable. In 1976, the the Scimitar GTE was made wider, given a longer wheelbase and sported new chassis settings that erred on the side of comfort. Summary: A real head turner, cheap sports car, great drive and handling. And today, values remain criminally low. and it weighs 2,762 lb. Unless you’re intent on a body-off restoration, you’re better off fi nding another car. The Scimitar’s fibreglass body can’t rust of course (chassis can) and the ‘parts bin’ construction, using components from major manufacturers at the time, makes for fairly easy ownership. 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. Performance and handling aren’t lacking, and neither is build quality; there are some bodged examples around, but the strong chassis, corrosion-resistant glassfibre bodyshell and conventional mechanicals ensures that ownership can be a doddle. 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. Reliant GTE. The top inner wishbone bushes can wear, while the fulcrum bars on which they pivot can corrode. Power steering from a later SE6 can be fi tted and worth doing as the tiller can be heavy when compared to moderns. 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. When it emerged in 1980, it had the market all to itself – the Stag had been dead three years. The trim itself is generally durable, especially where leather has been used;it was optional from the SE5a onwards. However, if you drive a dog you’ll never get it, so ensure any potential purchase is scrutinised closely. 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. Like GTE, trim fails, . Nothing wrong in that but check the transmission and clutch for wear. Launched at the tail end of the Scimitar’s life to give it a shot in the arm, one wonders why Reliant didn’t do it earlier to compete with the Stag. Let’s not forget the GTC – Tamworth’s Triumph Stag. 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. With its fresh light clusters and nicer vacuum-formed interior panels the SE5a became a highly respected GT in its day; around 7100 of these were made and many still feel they are the best of the bunch, especially after September 1972 when the car also gained the uprated 138bhp Capri V6 engine. 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. Can I get a warranty on a 30 year old campervan? The chassis is made of steel so it invariably corrodes. As with many glassfibre cars, the Scimitar’s electrics can be extremely temperamental through poor design, bodges and age. The key thing to check is the state of the main rails; they’re usually preserved by leaked engine oil, but not always. Der Begriff Scimitar ist im Englischen eine Sammelbezeichnung für orientalische Säbel. 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 Essex powerplant tends to be durable and highly tunable, but it does have a few weak spots. The body style proved such a trendsetter that other manufacturers raced to produce their own versions, with Volvo’s P1800ES and Lancia’s Beta HPE being the most faithful homages. The GTC should have been another money spinner for Reliant. Please do not advertise products, all posts of this nature will be removed. 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. 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. If the Scimitar has an Achilles’ heel, it’s the front suspension, which is prone to wear in numerous places. Thanks to its big engine power the GTE became a respected towcar and it’s reckoned that half of those remaining are so equipped. 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. The GTE’s forte was its long distance cruising ability thanks to tall gearing (particularly so with overdrive) and a massive fuel tank. As a result a fair chunk of the agility was lost and the Scimitar’s edge was decidely blunted. Pretty it isn’t, but they go pretty darn well in a Midget-like fashion. The model I tested in 1970 had this form of transmission and was priced at £2,237. In 1979, the 2.8-litre V6 Ford ‘Cologne’ engine was introduced, adding little to the mix, other than continued supply. However by the mid 70s the Scimitar GTE faced some stiff competition, not least from Ford who introduced Capri II with a hatchback facility. The bigger, SE6 benefits from a much roomier cockpit (plus PAS option) but the trade off is a less sharper Scimitar although if … Der Reliant Scimitar ist ein Sportwagen, den die Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth (England) zwischen 1965 und 1990 in mehreren Versionen herstellte. All panels are available; problems may arise when you try to graft them in though. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? The organisers of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, have decided to postpone the 2020 event. NEC classic motor show 2020 postponed due to Covid 19 concerns, Classic car auction house Coys goes into administration, Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. It continued to sell handsomely and remained Reliant’s main money earner. Original-style dashboards are no longer available, but you occasionally see glassfi bre replacements for sale. The present Reliant Scimitar has a wheelbase of 8 ft. 7.81 in. Performance from the smaller bore CVH engines isn’t spectacular but it’s zippy enough and, in true sports car fashion, the fun comes from entertaining handling, care of a really well sorted chassis and light and direct steering. 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