reliant scimitar review

When it emerged in 1980, it had the market all to itself – the Stag had been dead three years. Greasing at least twice annually is essential to prevent suspension failures. 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. Now you want to know all about it! 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. Please do not advertise products, all posts of this nature will be removed. Faults: Wiper motor seized, front and back. 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) / … 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. Subscribe to Classic Motoring Magazine and save over 20%, Available at all good newsagents including WHSmith, Despite its many qualities the Reliant Scimitar still hasn’t cut it as a classic. Reviving the Scimitar name, which earned the Tamworth company considerable 1970s credibility with its GTE sports estate ... 2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T first drive review. The name was reported to stand for Small Sports 1. 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. How to value your classic for insurance purposes, Classics insurance for 17,18,19 & 20 year olds, Insurance when your classic isn't roadworthy, It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics, Hiring rather than buying? Car reviews. The body style proved such a trendsetter that other manufacturers raced to produce their own versions, with Volvo’s P1800ES and … Overheating and fi re risks still need some watching. The photo was as the new owner took it away on an ‘A’ frame and with a light board over the roof. Back in the late 1960s you could have something sporty or cavernous, but not both – until Reliant came along. You’re onto a winner with the Reliant’s glassfi bre bodywork, as rust isn’t an issue. 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. Being an unstressed unit, the Essex powerplant tends to be durable. And today, values remain criminally low. ... provided the inspiration for the Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5 launched in 1968. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Triumph Spitfire V Reliant Scimitar SS1 Review, Rolls-Royce Shadow vs. Bentley Mulsanne vs. Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, MGB vs. 1974 Reliant Scimitar 1974 Reliant Scimitar price guide for classic cars. 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. 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. The new model was known as the SE5; its predecessor was the SE4. 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. 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. However, if the GTE does have any shortcomings, they’re well hidden. 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. 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. Unless you’re intent on a body-off restoration, you’re better off fi nding another car. It seems a pity to scrap it, but does it have any value? Summary: A real head turner, cheap sports car, great drive and handling. Some late SE6bs and GTCs have a galvanised chassis which is unlikely to have any corrosion. What one is now fi tted to the car? Within a year the production rights had transferred to Graham Walker, but production was never resumed. 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 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. Keep it polite and on topic. High gearing was a Scimitar hallmark, making for relaxed rapid cruising with the torquey Essex V6. 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. In 1979, the 2.8-litre V6 Ford ‘Cologne’ engine was introduced, adding little to the mix, other than continued supply. The latter is the stronger of the two, but both are generally reliable if the car isn’t used for towing (many are). The design may have aged gracefully, but demand tailed off. Four types of wheel were offered over the years by the factory. The SE5 and SE5a had different ratio back axles to accommodate the different gearboxesavailable. 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. Monthly Car asked way back in 1971 “Is this Britain’s most underrated car?”. 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. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? 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. It’s unlikely to be rotten as such; repairs can almost always be carried out; the issue is how much work is needed. Share bookmark with Delicious. Make sure you check all the switchgear works okay; from the SE5a onwards it’s fragile. Reliant GTE. The Reliant Scimitar name was used for a series of sports car models produced by British car manufacturer Reliant between 1964 and 1986. A set of quality replacements and poly bushing is a wise step along with good quality tyres. The Scimitar’s affordability suggests that it has little to recommend itself, as three grand nets a tidy example. 1986 Reliant Scimitar SS1 Reviews. 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. 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. 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. Find of the week on eBay is a Reliant Scimitar first driven by Princess Anne. During that time overdrive and a rear wash/wipe were made standard while a Ford automatic transmission became an option. 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. A strip down and re … However by the mid 70s the Scimitar GTE faced some stiff competition, not least from Ford who introduced Capri II with a hatchback facility. Сheck out 1986 Reliant Scimitar SS1 Reviews!From mechanical specifications to styling tweaks, nothing is left out. It’s also important that you get the right derivative for your needs; as the car was developed, its character changed signifi - cantly. Original-style dashboards are no longer available, but you occasionally see glassfi bre replacements for sale. 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. However, this derivative is the one that causes headaches thanks to its plastic dash surround, which is prone to cracking. 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. So a heavily revised GTE appeared in 1976, known as the SE6. 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. 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! Nothing wrong in that but check the transmission and clutch for wear. All panels are available; problems may arise when you try to graft them in though. Overdrive really gives this Reliant a magnificent longer stride, however most came as autos. Power steering from a later SE6 can be fi tted and worth doing as the tiller can be heavy when compared to moderns. It can take a while for oil pressure to build on early Essex V6s – perhaps as much as fi ve seconds. Check for usual GRP crazing and bodged repairs, Switchgear comes from variety of cars, known to fail, Stag-like GTC is full four-seater. Power steering is highly desirable. RELIANT SCIMITAR, PRINCESS ANNE'S FIRST CAR. Specs datasheet with technical data and performance data plus an analysis of the direct market competition of Reliant Scimitar GTC in 1980 the model with 2-door body and V-6 2792 cm3 / 170.4 cui engine size, 99 kW / 135 PS / 133 hp (DIN) of power, 216 Nm / 159 lb-ft of torque, 5-speed manual powertrain offered since mid-year 1980 for Europe . The top inner wishbone bushes can wear, while the fulcrum bars on which they pivot can corrode. It may sound daft but have a look at the steering wheel on early SE6s lacking power steering. If the Scimitar has an Achilles’ heel, it’s the front suspension, which is prone to wear in numerous places. 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. 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. However, if you drive a dog you’ll never get it, so ensure any potential purchase is scrutinised closely. It did them no favours having the Reliant badge, either. 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. 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. 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