Lot 401: 1975 Reliant Scimitar GTE Sports Estate

Reliant’s trend-setting GTE established an entirely new class of car when introduced in October 1968 - the sports estate. Based on the Tamworth firm’s existing Scimitar GT coupé, the newcomer boasted a new chassis both longer and wider than its predecessor’s while retaining the latter’s basic running gear and 3.0-litre Ford V6 engine. Like the coupé, the glassfibre-bodied GTE was the work of Ogle Design, whose brilliant idea was the incorporation of a glass ‘hatchback’ rear door in a semi-fastback, estate-type 2+2 bodyshell. Blessed with strikingly good looks that would stand the test of time, the GTE was comfortable, practical and fast. The model proved a huge commercial success for Reliant and spawned a host of imitations from larger manufacturers. This example has the manual transmission option and is fitted with a replacement engine from Kent Cams. Finished in maroon with black interior, the car comes with MoT to October 2007 and a most substantial history file indicating extensive works carried out by Scimitar specialist, Graham Walker. It is expected to possess a Swansea V5 document by time of sale. Included in the sale is a second complete Scimitar to be collected from the vendor in Lancashire.