This vehicle is now sold

1973 Reliant Scimitar GTE

Classic cars for sale: 1973 Reliant Scimitar GTE. Already causing excitement around the classic car community, our 1973 Reliant Scimitar has been owned previously for four years, in which time it has benefited from a full refurbishment. The car has had a full gel coat respray and the chassis has been under-sealed, a complete new interior, a new clutch and much more. The car comes with a wonderfully presented folder full of invoices for parts and maintenance totalling over £10,000.

The car is in very good condition and the interior as exceptional. The car starts on the button, runs and drives very well and is ready to get in and enjoy from day 1.

Here is a brief overview of the SE5. It conceived and ready for the 1968 Motor Show in less than 12 months. For the SE5, Reliant designed a completely different longer chassis, revised suspension, new and relocated fuel tank, a rollover bar, new cooling system, spare wheel mounted in the nose to give increased rear space and a 17 gallon fuel tank. The main change introduced in the SE5 was the sports estate hatchback body shape. The SE5 came with the same 3.0-litre Ford Essex engine used in the SE4a/b, with a claimed top speed of over 120 mph. Overdrive on the 4-speed manual was offered. In 1972 several improvements were included in the upgrade to SE5A, including a boost in power. The extra 7 hp and maximum engine speed raised performance and the GTE was now capable of 0–60 mph in 8.5 seconds and top speed was raised to 121 mph. The SE5’s flat dashboard gave way to a curved and moulded plastic one.

4,311 SE5s were produced. It was an instant success, and GT production was cut down and the proportion of GTEs to GTs being built was four-to-one. Reliant increased their volume by 20 per cent in the first year. The 5A model sold more than any other Scimitar, with 5105 manufactured. Princess Anne was given an SE5 as a present in November 1970 by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Princess Anne subsequently owned eight other GTEs.