Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6B Automatic

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Popularised by Princess Anne in the 1970s (she owned at least eight, all with the registration number 1420 H), the Reliant Scimitar GTE remains one of the most practical classics that money can buy.

Clothed in a handsome glassfibre body and powered by the trusty Ford 3-litre V6 engine and box, this sporting estate offers a huge amount of style and versatility for very little money.

Launched as the SE5 in 1968, the car was replaced by the SE5A in September 1972 which had a revised interior fascia, slightly more powerful engine and a more modern gearbox. In 1976 this was in turn replaced by the longer, wider and more luxurious SE6. In 1980 the final version, the SE6B came out, now with better brakes and suspension and a new Ford Cologne 2.8-litre V6 engine. Only 437 SE6Bs were made before production came to an end in 1986.

This well turned-out example has had five owners from new, the current custodian acquiring it from a lady who had loved it and used it for 10 years as her everyday car.

It comes with a comprehensive history file, which includes a number of old MOTs and lots of receipts which show the care and maintenance it has received over the last few years as well as several bags of useful spares. It has its original handbook and service book which is stamped up to 2004 and comes with a workshop manual and original brochure with price list.

The vendor is in the process of moving house and is not able to use the car as intended, describing it as a ‘super car which has been well loved’. MOTd until May 2016, it will be driven 40 miles to the sale.

Scimitars have long been undervalued, a situation that seems to have changed of late, buyers having recently woken up to their virtues as fast, practical and reliable classics, especially in late-model SE6B form. Definately one to buy while you still can.