Reliant Scimitar
SE6 & 6a
Reliant built the Scimitar GTE SE6 and 6a between 1975 and 1979. Key features like other models in the GTE range are a glass fibre reinforced plastic body, two-door sports estate, powered by the Ford V6 3.0-litre Essex engine. To find out more about Reliant the make of the Scimitar GTE click here
Design
Like earlier versions of the car the SE6 is a four seater sports estate. Fold down rear seats a hatch back type rear door and separately folding rear seats makes for a practical design. Design is 'typical' of the 1970's with slab sides, utility headlamps and the ubiquitous Austin Allegro door handles - although they can also be seen Aston Martin models of the same period.
My view
The Reliant Scimitar was never a kit car and in many ways is closer to a hand built car than a mass produced car. In many ways like so many British cars of the time is was well ahead of other cars in terms of design and features such as the estate layout, similar to today's BMW Z3 and the gutter-less roof design. However it was let down by lack of development, poor components and 'corner cutting'. It is difficult to understand why Reliant were not able to fix many of the flaws in the GTE design.
These include:-
All of these faults could have been put right relatively easily and have, with the exception of the car heater, been fixed by enthusiast both professional and amateurs.
Coupe - SE4
David Ogle's designed Coupe (SE4) of 1964 used the Sabre Six chassis and at first the same mechanicals. With the addition of the Ford V6 Essex engine (later used in the GTE) and some suspension revisions the car was could accelerate to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds and reach a top speed of over 120mph. Only 709 of these cars were built ensuring that rarity and good performance keeps prices high.