1966 Reliant Scimitar GT

Lot details
Registration No: HDB789D
Chassis No: SC400262
Mot Expiry: June 2012

It is ironic that while the humble Reliant Robin is familiar to all generations, relatively few people are now au fait with Reliant's very successful GTE models and even fewer aware of the Scimitar GT and Sabre that preceded them. The Ford-powered Sabre had shown promise as a competition machine - rally champion Roger Clark had his first `Works' drive in one - but the company lacked the resources to further develop it as a road car and only some seventy-seven examples were produced. In searching for a replacement, Managing Director Ray Wiggins spotted the Daimler SP250-based Ogle SX250 at the 1962 London Motor Show. It had been privately commissioned but was no longer required by Daimler, who proved happy to sell the design to Reliant. The body was amended to fit the existing Sabre chassis and running gear and the Scimitar GT was born in time for launch at the 1964 London Motor Show. The chassis was of box section pressed steel construction and the bolt-on body manufactured in glassfibre. Power came from the 2553cc OHV Ford straight-six engine more commonly found in the Zephyr. Complete with triple HS4 SU carburettors it gave 120bhp @ 5,000 rpm - sufficient to power the Scimitar to 60mph in around 10 seconds and on to a top speed of around 120mph. The unit was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with optional Laycock overdrive. Suspension was by wishbones and coil springs at the front and by live axle, coil springs and a modified Watts linkage at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion and braking by Girling discs/drums.

The elegant-looking right-hand drive Scimitar GT on sale is a 1966 example finished in Blue with a Black interior and equipped with optional overdrive. The vendor informs us that this rare car has benefited from a `body off' restoration by a Lotus specialist, during which a Club replacement chassis was installed, the front and rear suspension refurbished and a bespoke stainless steel exhaust constructed. Bills for some £10,000 come with the car that the vendor now considers has "as new" bodywork, "excellent" paintwork, "original" interior, "good" engine and "excellent" transmission. `HDB 789D' is taxed and MOT'd into June 2012.