Reliant Scimitar

Last updated

Reliant Scimitar
Reliant Scimitar GTE (1975) - 14041277835.jpg
1975 Reliant Scimitar GTE (SE5A)
Overview
Manufacturer Reliant
Production1964–1986
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style Coupé, shooting brake, cabriolet
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

The Reliant Scimitar name was used for a series of sports car models produced by British car manufacturer Reliant between 1964 and 1986. During its 22-year production it evolved from a coupe (GT) into a sports estate (GTE), with a convertible variant (GTC) launched in 1980. All have a fibreglass body mounted on a steel box-section chassis, and Ford engines.

Contents

Scimitar GT SE4 (1964–1970)

Rear Reliant Scimitar GT (1968) - 9188479868.jpg
Rear
Reliant Scimitar GT (SE4)
Reliant Scimitar before it became a GTE in Hertfordshire.jpg
Overview
Production1964–1970
Designer Ogle Design
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupé
Powertrain
Engine 2,553 cc Ford Zephyr 6 I6 (1964–66)
2,495 cc Ford Essex V6 [1] (1967–70)
2,994 cc Ford Essex V6 [1] (1966–70)
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 92 in (2,337 mm) [2]
Length167.5 in (4,254 mm)
Width62 in (1,575 mm)
Height51 in (1,295 mm)
Kerb weight 2,380 lb (1,080 kg)
Chronology
SuccessorReliant Scimitar GTE (SE5)

Reliant's first Scimitar was a coupé based upon the styling of a Daimler SP250 prototype (renamed the SX250) and the chassis of a Reliant Sabre. It was first displayed in 1964. It was powered by a 2.6-litre Ford straight six from the Ford Zephyr and Zodiac. In order to keep cost down, many components in addition to the engine were existing ones originally designed for competitor models, a point emphasized for buyers of the early Scimitars in which unfolding the sun visor involved knocking the rearview mirror out of adjustment. [3]

In 1966 the SE4A was replaced by the SE4B, with a 3.0 L V6 Ford "Essex" engine. A year later, in September 1967, the cheaper SE4C was introduced with a 2.5-litre version of the same engine and a reduction of £105 on the recommended retail price. The engine differed from the one fitted on the Ford Zephyr 6 in that the Reliant engine came with an alternator whereas Ford buyers had to be content with a dynamo. [4]

Just over 1000 SE4s were produced.

1964: Scimitar GT SE4

Scimitar Coupe with 2.6-litre straight six engine

As the Sabre 6 began looking a bit dated, managing director Ray Wiggin started looking for a new design. While at the 1962 Motor Show, he saw a car called an Ogle SX250: it had been designed by David Ogle (of David Ogle Associates, later known as Ogle Design) and it was based on the Daimler Dart SP250 chassis and running gear. The car had been privately commissioned by Boris Forter, managing director of the Helena Rubenstein Company (UK), who later had another one built for his girlfriend.

Daimler didn't use the design, so Reliant approached Ogle and asked to buy the rights for it. Some subtle changes were made to the bodyshell and it was further modified to fit the Reliant Sabre chassis and running gear.

The new Scimitar GT car retained the straight-six engine from the Sabre, but with triple SU carburettors as standard it now produced 120 bhp and propelled the car to a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h). It was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1964; it was praised for its elegant lines and performance figures for a price of £1,292. The price included wire wheels and a luxurious interior with comprehensive instrumentation. Optional extras included a choice of De Normanville overdrive unit, electric sunroof and ZF gearbox. Reliant produced approximately 296 straight-six Scimitar GTs.

1966: Scimitar GT SE4A/B

Scimitar coupé with 3-litre V6 Essex engine (approximately 591 built)

In late 1966 Ford dropped the 2.6-litre Straight Six engine and replaced it with the new 3-litre Essex V6 engine (as used in the latest MK IV Ford Zodiac). This meant that Reliant had to do a good deal of development work to the existing Scimitar GT to enable the new more powerful engine to fit and obtain best performance and handling.

As the Essex engine was shorter, it was mounted further back in the bulkhead to help improve weight distribution. The lower wishbones were re-positioned, the tower structures and cross members were reinforced and an anti-roll bar was fitted. Other modifications included replacing the wire wheels with wider steel wheels as standard, and the fitting of a higher-ratio rear axle (3.58:1 instead of 3.875:1).

The interior was updated to move with the times. There was now an all-anti-dazzle-black interior (including black instrument dial bezels instead of the previous chrome versions). The padded fascia board had crash pads at the top and bottom, and improvements were made with the ventilation by fitting directionally variable ventilator jets, as used by Ford.

This is what Autocar said about the new 3-litre Scimitar GT on 12 January 1967:

"At a Glance - High performance 2+2 coupe. Lusty, low revving engine in conjunction with high gearing gives effortless cruising at three-figure speeds. Good gear change, but rather wide ratios. Smooth, light clutch. Ride and handling very good, and much improved over the earlier car. Light, accurate steering and first class brakes with powerful servo. Ventilation improved but still not ideal. Fuel and range very good".

1967: Scimitar GT SE4C

Scimitar coupé with 2.5-litre V6 Essex engine (118 built)

Reliant introduced their third and final version of the V6 Scimitar GT in late 1967. To widen its appeal they launched a slightly less powerful Scimitar GT.

Using Ford's 2.5-litre version of the V6 Essex engine meant that the car could still reach speeds of over 110 mph (177 km/h), have slightly better fuel economy, but ultimately reduce the cost to the public by approx £120. Externally, the only difference between the 3-litre and 2.5-litre versions was the small badge on the boot giving the engine size. Approximately 118 of the 2.5-litre Scimitar GTs were sold before this version was withdrawn. Production of the standard Scimitar GT continued until November 1970.

Scimitar GTE SE5 (1968–1972) and SE5A (1972–1975)

Reliant Scimitar GTE (SE5/SE5A)
Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5A 2994cc 1972.JPG
Overview
Production1968–1975
Designer Tom Karen of Ogle Design
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door shooting brake
Powertrain
Engine 2,994 cc Ford Essex V6
Transmission 4-speed manual
3-speed Borg Warner 35 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 99.5 in (2,527 mm)
Length171 in (4,343 mm)
Width64.5 in (1,638 mm)
Height52 in (1,321 mm)
Kerb weight 2,620 lb (1,188 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorReliant Scimitar GT (SE4)
SuccessorReliant Scimitar GTE (SE6)

Tom Karen of Ogle was asked to submit some body designs based on the Ogle Design GTS estate car experiment for a new four-seater Scimitar, the SE5 Reliant Scimitar. Managing Director Ray Wiggin, Chief Engineer John Crosthwaite and fibreglass body expert Ken Wood went to Ogle's in Letchworth to view some mock-up body designs for the new SE5. Wiggin told Wood to proceed with a proper master.

Rear Reliant Scimitar - MTL 821L (8053615081).jpg
Rear

The SE5 was conceived and ready for the 1968 Motor Show in less than 12 months. For the SE5 John Crosthwaite and his team designed a completely different longer chassis frame, revised suspension, new and relocated fuel tank, a rollover bar, new cooling system, spare wheel mounted in the nose to give increased rear space and a 17+14 imperial gallons (78 L) fuel tank. [5] When designing the chassis Crosthwaite worked closely with Ogle body stylist Peter Bailey to modify and refine the prototype.

The main change introduced in the SE5 was the sports estate hatchback body shape, although other car manufacturers had also produced hatchback models.

The SE5 came with the same 3.0-litre Ford Essex engine used in the SE4a/b. This gave the SE5 a claimed top speed of over 120 mph (193 km/h). A Borg-Warner 35 automatic transmission was added as an option in 1970 and by 1971, overdrive on the 4-speed manual was offered. In 1972 several improvements were included in the upgrade to SE5A, including a boost in power. The extra 7 hp (5 kW) and maximum engine speed raised performance and the GTE was now capable of 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and top speed was raised to 121 mph (195 km/h). The SE5's flat dashboard also gave way to a curved and moulded plastic one. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] The SE5A can be recognised from a SE5 at the rear by the reverse lamps which are below the bumper on the earlier model and are incorporated into the rear clusters on the later version (these were also carried over onto the SE6 and later). Badging changes included changing the "SCIMITAR" lettering from a narrow type-style to a fatter one.

Directly following the announcement of the car, Autocar magazine tested a 3-litre GTE (with manual transmission) in October 1968. [14] They reported a maximum speed of 117 mph (188 km/h) and a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 10.7 seconds. [14] Overall fuel consumption for the test came in at 18.5 mpg. [14] The manufacturer's UK market recommended retail price, including sales taxes, was £1,759. [15] The 3-litre MG MGC GT was retailing at this time for £1,337 while Rover's 3500 was offered for £1,791. [15] Launch of the more directly comparable Volvo 1800ES was still four years away.

4,311 SE5s were produced. It was an instant success; GT production was cut down and the proportion of GTEs to GTs being built was four-to-one. Reliant increased its volume by 20% in the first year. [5] The 5A model sold more than any other Scimitar, with 5105 manufactured. Princess Anne was given a manual overdrive SE5 as a joint 20th birthday present and Christmas present in November 1970 by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. [16] It was Air Force blue in colour with a grey leather interior and registered 1420 H in recognition of her position as Colonel-in-Chief of the 14th/20th Hussars. Anne subsequently owned eight other GTEs. [17]

Scimitar GTE SE6 (1975–1976), SE6A (1976–1980) and SE6B (1980–1986)

Reliant Scimitar GTE (SE6/SE6A/SE6B)
Reliant Scimitar GTE (1981) - 9188455136.jpg
Overview
Production1975–1986
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door shooting brake
Powertrain
Engine 2,994 cc Ford Essex V6 (1975–80)
2,792 cc Ford Cologne V6 (1980–86)
Transmission 4-speed manual (overdrive optional)
3-speed Borg Warner 35 automatic (SE6)
3-speed Ford C3 automatic (SE6A on)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 103.81 in (2,637 mm)
Length174.5 in (4,432 mm)
Width67.25 in (1,708 mm)
Height52 in (1,321 mm)
Kerb weight 2,762 lb (1,253 kg) (automatic transmission)
Chronology
PredecessorReliant Scimitar GTE (SE5)
SuccessorMiddlebridge Scimitar

More of a luxury model than the SE5, the SE6 series was promoted to the executive market. These models were two-door sports estates, again with the Ford V6 3.0 L engine as used in the SE5A with 135 bhp,: the wheelbase was increased by 4 inches (10 cm) and the track by 3 inches (8 cm) making the cars correspondingly longer and wider than their predecessors. [18] The extra length was used to improve rear-seat legroom and access which enhanced the car's credentials as a 'genuine' four-seater. [18] Noticeable changes from the earlier models were the increase in the outer headlamp size from 5.3/4" to 7" and the replacement of the chrome plated bumpers with rubber ones. A Laycock overdrive on third and fourth gear was optional. The SE6 was replaced by the SE6A in late 1976. 543 SE6 models were produced.

The SE6A displayed a number of changes, including Lockheed brakes and suspension revisions. An easy way to spot a SE6A from a SE6 is the change to orange from red reflectors on the rear extractor vents, and the three vertical grooves in the front bumper (in front of the wheel arches) were removed. 3877 SE6As were made—making it the most popular version of all the SE6 shape.

Ford had stopped making the Essex engine for the Capri by 1981, and production stopped completely in 1988 so one of the major differences with the SE6B was the engine. The German-built Ford Cologne 2.8 L V6 was used instead (thus the chassis on the 6B differs from the 6/6A at the front) and provided similar power, but rather less torque at low revs. The final drive ratio was lowered from 3.31:1 to 3.54:1 to compensate. When tested by Autocar in 1981, a Scimitar GTE with the 2.8 L engine and automatic transmission achieved a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 116 mph (187 km/h). [19] All SE6Bs (and the SE8) were equipped with the quite troublesome Pierburg/Solex carburetted engines (many owners have changed to the Weber 38DGAS from the Essex engine) and although the battery was moved from the SE6/SE6A position to allow for injection equipment to be fitted, none ever left the factory so fitted. Some late versions (around 1983 on) came with the galvanised chassis as standard but the exact numbers and chassis details are vague.

Introduced at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, [20] only 407 SE6Bs were manufactured. Production ceased by 1986.

Scimitar GTC SE8 (1980–1986)

Rear Reliant Scimitar GTC (1980) - 8904865091.jpg
Rear
Reliant Scimitar GTC
GTC M blue.jpg
Overview
Production1980–1986
442 built
Powertrain
Engine 2,792 cc Ford Cologne V6
Transmission 4-speed manual with overdrive
3-speed Ford C3 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,637 mm (103.8 in) [21]
Length4,432 mm (174.5 in) [21]
Width1,720 mm (67.7 in) [21]
Height1,321 mm (52.0 in) [21]
Kerb weight 2,790 lb (1,266 kg) [21]

Reliant began planning a convertible in 1977 and commissioned Ogle Design to create a proposal. Tom Karen adapted his earlier GTE design and created a four-seater convertible with a good-sized boot. From the B-post back, all of the panels were new, with extra bracing introduced between the rear side panels and door hinge plates running under the dashboard. The roll hoop from the GTE was retained, and for additional support this was linked to extra tubes running around the front screen creating a Triumph Stag-like T-bar design that would ensure the rigidity of the new body design. As the car sported a separate chassis and the extra bracing, it did not suffer from the scuttle shake that unibody convertibles could be prone to suffer. The hood was designed in house by adapting the hood frame from a Triumph Stag, with a bespoke cover made of mohair. A prototype car was produced in 1978 and was powered by a 3.0 Essex engine. Later Reliant replaced it with a 2.8 Cologne engine, because Ford had withdrawn its Essex engines from the European market in favour of the Cologne unit. This was slightly down on torque compared to the Essex engine, so to improve performance Reliant changed the final drive ratio from 3.31 to 3.54. The GTC was launched in March 1980, with a hardtop added after the Birmingham Motor Show that year. [20] While it was well received by the motoring press, in 1980 the country was heading into a recession and Reliant struggled to sell its £11,360 convertibles in great numbers. As a result, many cars were left sitting at the factory for months until owners could be found. By 1986 the Scimitar GTC cost 20% more than a Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet, a similar offering in respect of seats and performance.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Cars</span> British specialist automobile manufacturer

AC Cars, originally incorporated as Auto Carriers Ltd., is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car makers founded in Britain. As a result of bad financial conditions over the years, the company was renamed or liquidated many times until its present form. In 2022, the new corporate structure began the production of new AC Cobra models, with a slightly modified structure to adapt it to modern safety and technology requirements and obtain the European road homologation certificate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reliant Motors</span> British car manufacturer in Tamworth, Staffordshire

Reliant Motor Company was a British car manufacturer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. It was founded in 1935 and ended car production in 2002, the company had been known as "Reliant Motor Company" until the 1990s when it became "Reliant Motors" and then finally became "Reliant Cars LTD" after production had ended of the Robin as the company was restructured to be a car import business. It is now a dormant company and the only entity left is a separate parts company created called "Reliant Partsworld" which produces parts for Reliant vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcos Engineering</span> British sports car manufacturer

Marcos Engineering was a British sports car manufacturer. The name derives from the surnames of founders Jem Marsh and Frank Costin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Capri</span> Fastback coupé manufactured by Ford Motor Company

The Ford Capri is a fastback coupé built by Ford of Europe, designed by Philip T. Clark, who was also involved in the design of the Ford Mustang. It used the mechanical components from the Mk2 Ford Cortina and was intended as the European equivalent of the Ford Mustang. The Capri went on to be highly successful for Ford, selling nearly 1.9 million units in its lifetime. A wide variety of engines were used in the car throughout its production lifespan, which included the Essex and Cologne V6 at the top of the range, while the Kent straight-four and Taunus V4 engines were used in lower-specification models. Although the Capri was not officially replaced, the second-generation Probe was effectively its replacement after the later car's introduction to the European market in 1994.

The name Ford Corsair was used both for a car produced by Ford of Britain between 1963 and 1970, and for an unrelated Nissan-based automobile marketed by Ford Australia between 1989 and 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Calibra</span> Coupe produced by Opel

The Opel Calibra is a coupé, engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel between 1989 and 1997. In the United Kingdom, where it remained on sale until 1999, it was marketed under the Vauxhall brand as the Vauxhall Calibra. It was also marketed as the Chevrolet Calibra in South America by Chevrolet, and the Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zealand by Holden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reliant Rebel</span> Motor vehicle

The Reliant Rebel is a small four-wheeled car that was produced by Reliant between 1964 and 1974. It was designed by Reliant to be a market test to push Reliant into other parts of the market instead of just 3-wheelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASA (automobile)</span> Motor vehicle

ASA was an Italian automobile manufacturer active from 1961 to 1969, who is known for manufacturing the ASA 1000 GT. This car was developed by Ferrari engineers in the late 1950s as a less expensive, compact alternative to existing Ferrari GT cars. ASA used inline-four and straight-six engines derived from the "250" 3-litre V12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo. The chassis was developed by Giotto Bizzarrini and was derived from the tubular frame chassis of the 250 GTO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Consul</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Consul is a car that was manufactured by Ford of Britain from 1951 until 1962. The name was later revived for a model produced by Ford in both the UK and in Germany from 1972 until 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogle Design</span> British design consultancy company

Ogle Design is a British design consultancy company founded in 1954 by David Ogle and based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

Sharps Commercials Ltd was a British car maker based in Preston, Lancashire. It was founded in 1922 by Paul Sharp. It changed its name to Bond Cars Ltd in 1963. The company was taken over by the Reliant Motor Co Ltd of Tamworth, Staffordshire in February 1969, who eventually closed the Preston factory at the end of July 1970, transferring the spare parts business for the Bond Minicar, 875 saloon, 875 Ranger van and Equipe models to a firm called Bob Joyner & Son in Oldbury in the English Midlands. Reliant nevertheless continued to use the Bond name until 1974 on Bond Bug models made at their own Tamworth plant.

The Ferrari 330 was a series of V12 powered automobiles produced by Ferrari in 2+2 GT Coupé, two-seat Berlinetta, spyder, and race car versions between 1963 and 1968. The name "330" refers to the approximate displacement of each single cylinder in cubic centimeters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbern</span> Motor vehicle

Gilbern, Gilbern Sports Cars (Components) Ltd , was a Welsh car manufacturer from 1959 to 1973, based in Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginetta Cars</span> British automobile manufacturer

Ginetta Cars Limited is a British specialist builder of racing and sports cars based in Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Frua</span> Motor vehicle

The AC Frua or AC 428 is a British GT built by AC Cars from 1965 to 1973. Production was 81 cars built in total: 49 coupés, 29 convertibles, and 3 special bodied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bond Equipe</span> Motor vehicle

The Bond Equipe is an English 2+2 sports car, manufactured by Bond Cars Ltd from 1963 to 1970. It was the first 4-wheeled vehicle from Bond Cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaguar F-Type</span> Sports car

The Jaguar F-Type (X152) is a series of two-door, two-seater grand tourers manufactured by British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover under their Jaguar Cars marque since 2013. The car's JLR D6a platform is based on a shortened version of the XK's platform. It is the so-called "spiritual successor" to the famous E-Type.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Crosthwaite</span> English race car designer and engineer

John Crosthwaite was an English race car designer and engineer, active in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reliant Scimitar SS1</span> Motor vehicle

The Reliant Scimitar SS1 is an automobile which was produced by British manufacturer Reliant from 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcos GT</span> Motor vehicle

The Marcos GT is the name used by the British firm of Marcos Engineering Ltd for all of their cars until the introduction of the Mantis in 1970. Most commonly, the name is used to describe the very low coupé designed by brothers Dennis and Peter Adams.

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Maurice, ed. (October 1967). "CARS Stand-by-stand". Autocar . 127. (nbr 3740). London SE1: Iliffe Transport Publications Ltd.: 45 (Reliant).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. London: Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd.
  3. Bulmer, Charles (24 August 1968). "12,000-mile staff car report: Reliant Scimitar 3-litre". The Motor . nbr. 3453: 19–24.
  4. "'68 Models 2½-litre Reliant Scimitar". Autocar . 127. (nbr 3735): 25. 14 September 1967.
  5. 1 2 Armstrong, Douglas (September 1969). "Reliant GTE". Motoring Mirror. 7 (5). Cape Town, South Africa: Motorpress: 44–45.
  6. Motoring News 3 October 1968
  7. Autocar magazine 4 June 1970
  8. Design Journal August 1970
  9. Autocar magazine 17 December 1970
  10. Automotive Design Engineering. July/August 1973
  11. Slice Magazine May 1987 Article by Peter Bailey. Head of the Transport Design Studio at Ogle when the SE5 was being designed
  12. Pither, Don (1987). The Scimitar and its Forebears. ISBN   0-9512873-0-3.
  13. "Scimitar GTE". retrocaricons.com. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 "New for '69 Brief Test: Reliant Scimitar GTE". Autocar . 129. (nbr 3790): 5–7. 3 October 1968.
  15. 1 2 "Autocar recommended New Car prices and performance of cars tested". Autocar . 129. (nbr 3790): 126–128. 3 October 1968.
  16. "Cannock firm services Princess Anne's car". birminghammail.net. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  17. "Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5". sporting-reliants.com. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  18. 1 2 "Road Test: Reliant Scimitar GTE". The Motor . 149. nbr 3833: 2–7. 27 March 1976.
  19. "Reliant Scimitar GTE AutoTest". Autocar. 17 January 1981.
  20. 1 2 Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (10 March 1983). Automobil Revue '83 (in German and French). Vol. 78. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 445. ISBN   3-444-06065-3.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 Bladon, Stuart (1985). Observer's Book of Automobiles . Harmondsworth, UK: Warne. ISBN   0-7232-1675-4.
  22. The web resource for the Reliant Scimitar GTC www.scimitargtc.co.uk, with permission from the website author