Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5a Automatic

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Up until the early 1960s, Reliant Cars had mainly been associated with their faintly comedic Robin three-wheeler so it came as something of a shock when they launched a ground-breaking sporting estate in 1968.

Designed by Tom Karen, the GTE SE5 had elegant shooting brake bodywork in lightweight GRP, a spacious four-seat interior and Ford’s lusty 3.0 V6 under the bonnet. With 138bhp on tap, it could whisk the whole family and the kitchen sink to 60 in just 9 seconds with a top speed of 115mph. In September 1972 it was replaced by the marginally faster SE5a which also had a revised interior and improved rear lights. The SE6 versions which followed in 1977 got progressively bigger, heavier and slower so it is the elegant SE5a that everyone wants today.

This SE5a Automatic was recently unearthed from a nice dry barn on a country estate where it had been languishing for at least 15 years. At the time of our visit there were no documents with the car but a V5C has been applied for and should be here in time for the sale. An online check suggests it has had just three or four owners from new in July 1974, last changing hands in 1984.

It is showing 64,645 miles on the clock and we are told that the engine still turns freely. Appearing to be in totally original condition throughout, the chassis looks sound and it has a very straight body with good panel gaps and doors that open and close beautifully. It has brown leather seats and the front ones will need attention but the dashboard and the carpets look good, the original radio cassette is still in place, it has a period glass sunroof and even retains the original luggage blind in the rear. It rides on its original alloy wheels and the spare is still present under the bonnet.

A really honest example, RPM 222M is being offered here with no reserve and would be an ideal basis for a concours restoration but could probably be got running fairly easily and enjoyed as is in ‘shabby chic’ style. Or you could go down the resto mod route and stick in a big V8 – the choice is yours…