Lot details
Registration No: WFS 60W
Chassis No: SCD200367A0000243
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012

The Scimitar GT of 1964 resulted from a collaboration between Reliant and Ogle Design. Two years later, Triplex commissioned Ogle to build a project car through which they could promote their laminated sundym glass. Ogle opted to base the resulting estate-bodied Triplex GTS on the Scimitar GT, and it was this car (later owned by the Duke of Edinburgh) that eventually spawned the Scimitar GTE. Launched at the Earls Court Motor Show of 1968, the four-seater, glassfibre-bodied GTE (SE5) could initially be bought with either a straight-six 2.5-litre or V6 3.0-litre Ford engine linked to a manual gearbox. Early revisions included the dropping of the smaller engine and the option of Borg Warner automatic transmission. For 1972, the V6 engine was endowed with an additional 7bhp - it would now power the GTE to 60mph in around 9.3 seconds and on to a top speed of over 120mph. In response to criticisms of cramped interior space, Reliant replaced the SE5 with the longer, wider SE6 model GTE in late 1975. Distinguishing features of the newcomer included larger headlights, rubber tipped bumpers and the lack of front quarter lights. The interior was completely refashioned. Power steering and composite alloy wheels were among the options. By 1978, the company had begun work on a Triumph Stag-style T-bar Convertible, code named the SE8b. It went on sale two years later, powered by Ford's lusty 2.8-litre Cologne V6 engine that developed 135bhp at 5,200rpm. Although the parts were optional, most of the 442 GTCs made over the ensuing six years were equipped with Wolfrace wheels, power steering, electric windows and electric radio aerial. The quality soft tops were manufactured by the Coventry Hood Company and at £11,360 the GTC looked excellent value alongside, say, the Mercedes-Benz 280SL at £6,000 more.

This GTC was built in the first year of production and sports Red bodywork allied to a Black cloth interior. The previous keeper reportedly retained the Convertible for twenty-five years and the vendor now considers the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and automatic gearbox to be in "good" order. The odometer currently reads an unwarranted 60,000 miles and the Reliant is being sold complete with a fresh MOT.