Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6a

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Although the first SE5 version of the Scimitar GTE sporting estate was warmly received by press and public alike (counting Princess Anne among its many fans) after seven years in production it was beginning to show its age against rivals like the Volvo P1800ES, Lancia Beta HPE and the Lotus Elite.

So in 1975 Reliant launched the longer, wider and more luxurious SE6. The following year it was improved still further as the SE6a with better brakes, a stiffer chassis, revised suspension to improve the handling, better headlights and optional Wolfrace alloys. Power came from the same 138bhp Ford Essex 3.0 V6 with an optional manual overdrive gearbox for the more sporting driver. It continued in production until the arrival of the SE6b in 1980 by which time 3,887 had been sold.

Dating from March 1977, this SE6a comes with a large history file that documents the many upgrades that have been carried out over the years. These have included a rebuilt engine to RS spec with conversion to unleaded fuel, Piper cam, gas flowed head, alloy rocker covers and tubular manifolds. The overdrive gearbox has also been rebuilt in the past and a Graham Walker diff fitted.

Other upgrades include: stainless steel fuel tank; aluminium header tank; Kenlowe fan; electronic distributor; electric fuel pump; 65 amp alternator; braided stainless steel hoses; AVO coilover suspension with polybushes; reconditioned power steering rack; cherry bomb exhausts (original rear silencers also included); new Yokohama tyres; recent four-wheel alignment and front end suspension rebuild – you get the picture!

In regular use with an MOT until September 2019 with no advisories recorded, it certainly went well when we were treated to a spirited test drive on the occasion of our visit with excellent 50psi oil pressure when hot and working overdrive. Mechanically sorted and with a tidy interior and decent paint, it looks an absolute snip at the modest guide price suggested.