The Reliant Scimitar was produced in England from 1964 through 1986 in one flavor or another – coupe, estate (wagon), convertible. It’s possibly the longest-running car that you’ve never heard of. The estate was conceived in 1967 to augment Reliant’s flourishing market niche; its customers were clamoring for more interior space. Tom Karen of Ogle Design had styled its fiberglass body – arguably trailblazing the two-door GT wagon style before Volvo introduced the 1800ES. Chief Engineer John Crosthwaite designed a new chassis, utilizing a sport suspension. The result was a lively wagon that outsold previous body styles by about two to one. Even so, only 14,300 were made over almost two decades. Here on facebook Marketplace is an example from 1974, priced at $3500, with needs. JDC, you’re hitting the ball out of the park tip-wise, keep it up!
The Scimitar – which when it’s not masquerading as a car model, is actually a curved sword – was equipped with a 3.0-liter Ford Essex V6 and a four-speed manual gearbox. A Borg-Warner automatic arrived in 1970, and one year later, overdrive was an option on the manual. The Ford engine in a car that weighed only 2600 lbs was enough to produce a 120 mph claimed top speed and a zero to sixty time of just over 10 seconds. This one hasn’t run in five years; it’s up for sale because its owner has too many projects.
These cars were never exported to the US, so the new owner will learn about handling an RHD arrangement – not hard! The cabin is nicely trimmed, with vinyl bucket seats front and rear, a wood-trimmed instrument panel, and tailored carpet, including the backsides of the front seats. Reflecting the GTE’s luxury aspirations, it sold at a premium price – about £1,760 versus £1,337 for the MGC GT.
Other than its innovative body style, the Scimitar GTE also claimed celebrity credentials: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip gave their daughter, Princess Anne, a 1970 GTE for her twentieth birthday. She subsequently owned eight Scimitars, the first of which is on display at a museum in Derbyshire. Needless to say, if a Scimitar GTE is on your bucket list and you live in the US, you’ll wait a few years to find a good one. This very fine example failed to sell after bidding reached $14k; I wouldn’t have sold it at that price, either. This project car might be the best available for another several years – at any price. What do you think of Reliant’s sporty estate?
A rare European number from Michelle this weekend. Never seen one, or heard of one either. Did drive a RHD Landcruiser once, and you’re right, it wasn’t that hard after 5-10 minutes or so.
Been my experience that the RHD experience in the USA is a much bigger adjustment for the passenger than the driver,
Imagine, the Queen of England giving their daughter a French car. It must have been an impressive automobile, or else the British car industry was in the toilet by then. Anyway, this car looks intriguing, and if all the parts are there it’s got potential. Looking for parts would be a challenge. If it were mine, I’d probably transplant a Ford 289/302 and C4 transmission into it. About driving a RHD..I drove one, a Renault Megane around 2001, the last time I was in England. I had no trouble after practicing for a few minutes at the London airport where I picked up the car. Strangely, my memories have me driving it as a left hand drive!
Where do you come up with it being a French car???
Misread it as Renault. Disregard my post..oops
Reliant is an English car, not French.
Reckon they musta misread Reliant as Renault.
That being said, this is Jason Torchinsky’s former car and he’s been working on and writing about a Citroen 2CV a lot lately.
Very cool!! And now marked pending.
Thanks for the kudos Michelle! Frankly, I’d never heard of this car before stumbling onto it. Excellent research on it… and sounds like you have RHD experience!!
A little bit…. I’ve driven in England on and off but also have a couple of RHD cars in the garage. Commenters who say it’s hard to be a passenger in America in an RHD car – that’s right! It’s pretty disorienting at first. But when you’re the driver you don’t have much time to think about the changed perspective.
I would have to be riding a horse to consider this an upgrade…
These’re nice; a couple of friends have had them at various times over the years. Quite quick too, and good motorway cars – especially with the overdrive.
I saw one of these once when I was in Scotland 30 years ago. It’s not a bad looking car. When I see ( what looks like acorns) on the manifold, there was probably some infestation. I stay away from these projects which means to me there was total neglect. If this car was cleaned up just a bit… blow up the tires, wash it, blow out the engine compartment and tidy the interior, it might bring more interest. We live in a society where appearance takes precedence. Most people do not see potential unless they like the appearance….RHD is fun in this country. I have driven a few. You could alway sell it a postal vehicle! For me the most helpless feeling is riding as a passenger on the left side of the car in this country. I’m sitting there with no steering wheel, no pedals and no control of the car! It’s a very strange feeling………
Or, as a passenger, Joey Mec, you could take matters into your own hands..
https://youtu.be/PmXAsfeQ_4E?si=o2ln_iGFuwOEZy-d
Another British footnote brought to attention in another excellent feature, Michelle. Well done-kudos as usual too to JDC for the keen eye and focused curiosity of all things transportation.
As soon as I saw the car. (I knew what it was and don’t know why) My brain said Michelle wrote up this car. And sure enough my brain was correct. (Doesn’t happen all that much anymore at this age!) I like it! Probably a good thing that it is too far away for me to “jaunt right over to inspect it!” Mechanical parts should not be a problem. But body and trim may be an issue.
I don´t like the way the door fits. Is it closed? or is that the way it is? The whole thing looks sloppy, even when new, I think.One must be a fan of the make to cough up any bucks for this.
Steering wheel is the wrong side, terrible to drive in the U.S.
Other than that, it is pleasantly different.
Actually, to answer as a Brit would,
” No, the steering wheel is on the right side!”
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