1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE

Description

The Reliant Scimitar GTE represents a novel blend of style and functionality characteristic of the rule-breaking late 1970s automotive industry. Manufactured by the British automaker Reliant, the Scimitar creates a fusion of sports car aesthetics and practical touring capabilities. The car's body, characterized by boxed hard edges and round double headlights, exudes an elegant European charm. Much like the Chevrolet Corvette, it was constructed with a fiber glass body-on-frame chassis, contributing to a light weight and spacious final dimension. This design language not only contributed to its visual appeal but also hinted at the car's performance pedigree.

At the heart of the Scimitar GTE's performance capabilities was the Ford 3.0-liter V6 engine, endowing the car with the performance to achieve an impressive top speed of 121 miles per hour. Paired with a Ford three-speed automatic transmission, the marriage of power and luxury positioned the GTE as one of Europe's first performance-oriented estate cars, combining the thrill of a sports car with the practicality of a shooting brake.

Finished in a Light Jade, this 1978 model captures the spirit of the decade perfectly. A highlight must be its sumptuous leather interior with the centerpiece being four deeply bolstered buckskin leather seats. With a wide degree of versatility, this reliant Scimitar is an intriguing classic car with lateral agility, able to fit all the luggage for a weekend trip and to transport the occupants in a unique style.

Highlights

• Fiberglass body on frame chassis with clean outriggers as pictured

• Powered by a Ford 3.0-liter “Essex” V6 paired to a Ford C3 automatic transmission

• Re-finished in a Light Jade exterior completed in 2014

• New upholstery in dark buckskin leather with front and rear bucket seats

• Rear suspension featuring a coil-over sprung live rear axle and a front coil-over wish-bone suspension with sway bar

• Equipped with power front disc and rear drum brakes

• Converted to 72 spoke 15in TR6 wire wheels using TR6 hubs

• Please note that the odometer is believed to have rolled over and currently shows 21,500 kilometers or the equivalent of just over 13,300 miles at the time of listing, however true mileage is unknown

Features 

• Sony single DIN head unit with AUX and USB ports in addition to SiriusXM capabilities

• Dual exhaust with headers

• Weber DGV series carburetor 

• Power steering 

• Power brakes 

• Oil pressure gauge 

• Voltmeter

• Manual crank operated windows 

• Stainless steel fuel tank recently replaced

• Rear defroster

• Hazard lights 

• Manual choke 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips on rear bumper shroud

• Minor scrapes on left and ride side of front lower lip

• Factory placards show age

• Passenger side door chip

• Paint chip above passenger rear bumper reflector 

• Light spidering around upper left side of hood

• Dash lifting along edge

Included

• Spare tire located under hood 

• Fire extinguisher under passenger side dashboard 

Ownership History 

The current owner of this 1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE relayed that they purchased the car in 2014, while living in New Mexico. They also said that the car was originally finished Burnt Orange, with the fiberglass body shell being stripped and painted in Light Jade under their ownership. The consignor reports that the interior was reupholstered at the same time.

The Broad Arrow Group Specialist representing this vehicle notes that the this Scimitar is truly a unique specimen of the British car industry, a testament to how designers can blend functionality and style in the novel “shooting brake” package. Driving this vehicle held up to its GT namesake, offering a sports-car-like planted-ness and a luxurious ride that allows one to be as spirited or tame as they wish. Beautifully appointed in Light Jade Metallic, the car turns heads everywhere it goes and at car shows people are only drawn in closer by the interior. The high-bidder is sure to fall in love with the drive, the style, and the heritage of this unique Reliant!

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.

Contact: William Cooper Phone: 469.463.4542 email: wcooper@hagerty.com