Lot 16: Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5A

The Reliant Scimitar - the pioneering sporting estate car designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design - celebrates its 40th birthday this year. The innovative glassfibre-bodied GT, a full four-seater, is built on a tough steel chassis designed by former BRM, Cooper and Lotus engineer John Crosthwaite, and is powered by Ford's torquey 3-litre 'Essex' V6. One of its greatest fans has been the Princess Royal, who famously owned nine at various times. Mildly facelifted into the SE5A in 1971, and later widened and updated into SE6 form, the original shape remains the purest, its 'extended greenhouse', as Karen called it, blending into the then-innovative rising waistline, with discreet roof spoiler finishing off the svelte tail. This car is quicker than the already fast 120mph standard car, being powered by a Swaymar Stage IV engine with mild road camshaft and Holley four-barrel carburettor, producing an estimated 170-180bhp, and a Cologne five-speed gearbox replaces the original four-speed, allowing refined overdrive cruising in top gear. With 52,000 miles from new, split-rim spoked alloy wheels, a stainless-steel exhaust and a fitted sunroof in the Everflex vinyl roof, it has been virtually unused for the past 20 years and dry stored, but has just been extensively recommissioned. "A great fast road car" says the vendor, adding: "It runs extremely well and is ideal for the Classic Malts rally, Three Castles and numerous other classic events". He describes its appearance as "very smart" and the mechanicals, electrics and interior as "very good and well cared for". A stunning yet practical car with superb, effortless performance enhanced by more power and longer-legged gearing, this stylish sporting estate represents excellent value for money.