Reliant Scimitar

The Reliant Scimitar is a sports car, the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth ( England) produced in several versions 1965-1990. Scimitar of the English term is for so-called scimitar.

2.1 The Design
2.2 technology
2.3 Meaning
2.4 versions 2.4.1 Scimitar GTE SE5 / SE5a
2.4.2 Scimitar GTE SE6/SE6A ( 1975-1979 ) and SE6B ( 1979-1986 )

3.1 Production

Scimitar GT ( SE4, 1965-1970 )

Model history

Reliant Scimitar GT (1965 )

The first Scimitar GT SE4 was a 2 2- seater coupe with a notchback, which was designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design. The design leaned on to a design that Karen had recently developed a ultimately unrealized successor to the Daimler SP250. The proportions of the draft quoted the well-known sports car model: On a long hood was followed by a brief passenger compartment and a short rear end. When designing the car front, Karen had been inspired by his own admission the Lamborghini 350 GT.

Technically based the GT SE4 on the chassis of Sabre. The body was manufactured as with all Reliant models made of plastic.

The Scimitar GT SE4 was unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1964. It was produced between the spring of 1965 and 1970. First, the car was a success; Press and clientele took the new model on friendly. With the presentation of the temporarily produced parallel combi coupe GTE the enthusiasm of the customers for the conventional GT subsided, however, so that Reliant during the year 1970 took the GT out of production.

In the period from 1965 to 1970 created four versions of the GT, which differed from each other mainly in technical aspects.

Base model was the Scimitar GT ( SE4 ). It was powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with 2.6 liters, which came from the Ford Zephyr / Zodiac and a few years earlier had been already used in AC Greyhound. From this basic model developed in the first production year 59 copies.

In the summer of 1965, the chassis was modified. The rear axle was equipped with two parallel push rods; Furthermore, the Watt linkage was modified and introduced another differential. From there, the model was internally SE 4a and was produced until the summer of 1966.

In the summer of 1966 it was further revised. The heavy, unsportsmanlike 2.6 liter engine was replaced by a Ford Essex V6 engine with 3.0 l displacement, which delivered 128 hp. Vehicles of the past two years were the front suspension of the Triumph TR6. This version, which received the designation SE4b was produced from 1966 to 1970.

In September 1967, Reliant finally brought out the cheaper Scimitar GT SE4c, which received a 2.5 L version of the Essex engine. It was £ 105 cheaper than the next parallel produced SE4b. He was equipped with an alternator while the engine of the Ford Zephyr 6 with a dynamo had to make do. Apart from the technical SE4c corresponded completely to the SE4b. He stood from 1967 to 1970 in the offer.

Production

Scimitar GTE

Developed in 1967 Reliant Scimitar GTE and Tom Karen to a Shooting Brake with technical bonds with the previous Scimitar GT.

The design

The immediate reason for this development were the reviews of many GT- customers who appreciated the performance of the coupe, but complained about the limited space. First thoughts went there to lengthen the wheelbase and the passenger compartment of the GT, but maintain the notchback design. A clay model showed that the space gain of such a version was only marginal. A year earlier, a station wagon was developed on the basis of the SE4, which had a straight waistline and large side glass surfaces that were drawn into the roof. Was referred to this vehicle that officially bore the name Ogle GTS and in the press repeatedly as a " greenhouse ", it was a commissioned work for the company Triplex Safety Glasses. The " greenhouse " was not an immediate predecessor of GTE and can not be viewed as a first prototype at the moment. He revealed Reliant, however, that a wagon version could be a promising concept. Tom Karen was the immediate key to GTE at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1967., Where he first saw Bertone's new Lamborghini Espada, of the concept of space he was impressed by his own admission.

Even as the Earls Court Motor show drew Karen a version of the GT with combination rear and two doors. His ideas, which he hired with reference to a draft of the Turkish automotive brand Anadol, soon led to connect a sloping rear roof section with a rising belt line. Thus, the vertices of the GTE designs were created.

Technology

The GTE has not the chassis of the GT ( SE4 ). Reliant has developed a stand-alone framework that conceptually modeled on that of the Triumph Herald. The wheelbase was more than 20 inches longer than the GT, the track width was 10 cm (front) and 7.6 cm (rear) increased. The steering system has been taken over by Austin in 1800. As drive related Reliant like with the GT engines from Ford UK who experienced some changes over the years.

Importance

The Scimitar GTE was an important car for both the manufacturer Reliant as well as the automotive industry itself. The design is considered groundbreaking. Although it had previously been some sports with other manufacturers three-door station wagon - for example, the Chevrolet Nomad 1955 or produced in single pieces Shooting Brakes Aston Martin, Karen and Reliant translated the connection from station wagon and coupe for the first time into the series production. Tom Karen created with the Scimitar GTE a new vehicle class, the so-called combination coupé. The design of the Scimitar GTE directly influenced a number of other, similarly configured models from Volvo P 1800 ES on the Lancia Beta HPE to today's VW Scirocco III. Tom Karen described in an interview from 2001, the Scimitar GTE as its main design.

The GTE enjoyed in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in the UK very popular. The car sold well despite some significant quality problems. The success of the car certainly helped by the fact that he was a lover of the House of Royals with Princess Anne; the daughter of the British Queen drove through the years not less than seven - nine according to other sources, and by still others even ten - Scimitar SE5 and SE6 Gtes the series. Princess Anne was the last in 1986 Reliant Scimitar GTE produced, while her father, Prince Philip, drove the prototype for several years.

Versions

Scimitar GTE SE5 / SE5a

Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5a ( 1972-1975 )

The first time in 1968 Scimitar GTE presented wore the internal name SE5. From him two series were prepared:

The initial version called SE5 had one engine, the GT ( SE4 ) corresponded. He was with either a 2,5 - or to have a 3.0-liter version of the Ford Essex six-cylinder engine. The 3.0 liter engine gave the car a top speed of 193 km / h and was more in demand than the 2.5 liter engine, which was allowed to fall later. As of 1970, there were at the request of an automatic transmission Borg Warner and in 1971 you could order an overdrive for the manual four-speed transmission. The last, made in the spring of 1972 SE5 models received a more powerful engine: they were equipped with the modified 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine of the current British Ford Granada, which made 135 hp. The manual transmission has now been taken over by the Ford Transit and was coupled with an overdrive Laycock de Normanville.

In October 1972, a modified version with the internal designation SE5a has been introduced. The new model took over the engine of the Ford Granada and the transmission of transit. Technically, the SE5a was given a new, stronger differential. Apart from the main changes concerned the design of the interior. The dashboard was redesigned; there was now a wide center console and secure rocker instead of a toggle switch. In particular, the modified engine meant that the SE5a showed significantly improved driving performance. The car accelerated in 9.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and the top speed increased to 10 km / h The SE5a was produced until 1975.

About In 1970, a heavily modified version of the GTE with hidden headlights, vertical taillights and an upgraded interior. The headlight cover continued the structure of the vehicle grills, so that when the cover is closed the impression that the grill rich over the entire width of the vehicle. The car remained a one piece that was made for the wife of the Reliant Board.

From SE5 emerged less than 2,500 units, while the SE5a was produced around 6,630 times, making him the most successful Scimitar model.

Scimitar GTE SE6/SE6A ( 1975-1979 ) and SE6B ( 1979-1986 )

Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6

Since the early 1970s Reliant Tom and Karen were working on a successor to the SE5. The new model should be larger than its predecessor, but without changing the concept and the basic appearance of the GTE sustainable.

At the beginning of the development work was a SE5 length by cross sawed and behind the doors. The resulting four vehicle parts were so long against each other, were determined to appropriate proportions of the new vehicle. As a result, the wheel base has been extended with respect to the SE5 to 102 mm, and the doors to 63 mm, the width increased by 76 mm. The result was that no part of the body and the glass for the new model could be used. As a result, the GTE lost its sporting character through this magnification and has now been primarily positioned as a luxury car. This approach also corresponded to the significantly improved sound insulation, which was effective, but at the same time increased the vehicle weight.

Externally the new model fell on by broad, black-painted plastic bumpers, the front and rear were increased in the region of license plate. The - basically unchanged - taillights were now integrates a black plastic bezel, which was wrapped around the fender sides. Finally, there were new folding door handles, which were taken from the production of British Leyland. The interior has been redesigned: the dashboard has been redesigned, and the backs of the rear bench seat were now folded down to increase the luggage compartment can. The drive technology remained, apart from detailed modifications, unchanged.

Reliant Scimitar GTE received the new factory internal designation SE6. The car was presented in 1975, the series production began in the same year. The vehicle was produced for eleven years. In this period of three series:

The initially produced SE6 was equipped with the familiar 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine from Ford. The engine made 135 hp. Due to its increased weight of the SE6 was slightly slower than the SE5a. According to factory specifications, but a maximum speed of 190 km / h was still possible.

At the beginning of 1977, the introduction of a new series was necessary. Many of the first customers of the SE6 had complained about quality defects rectifications fundamental design changes necessitated. The new, now referred to as SE6a series had a stable A-pillar, a more effective braking system, and a precise servo steering. Apart from the SE6a remained visually unchanged. These modifications were a noticeable improvement of the GTE; the other hand, affected the changes soon after the launch of the car the reputation of the car; they also stressed the company in financial terms.

Middle Bridge Scimitar (1988-1990)

After termination of the production of the Scimitar GTE and GTC models at Reliant Scimitar Ltd. acquired the Middle Bridge. In June 1987, the production rights. Based in Nottingham company introduced the Scimitar GTE 2.9 -liter V6 engine with many improvements, such as a fuel injection and a five-speed gearbox, ago.

Only 77 ( 99 according to other sources ) Scimitar were prepared at Middle Bridge, before the company went bankrupt in 1990. The manufacturing rights were then separated from the Graham Walker Ltd.. acquired, which produces up today Scimitars to order.

Successor of the Scimitar GTE was the Reliant Scimitar SS

Production

Scimitar GTC SE8B ( 1980-1986 )

Reliant Scimitar GTC

The convertible version of the Scimitar GTE came as Scimitar GTC SE8B on the market. She had a fabric roof, which was drawn over the attached to the B -pillar roll bar. Like the GTE and the GTC had four seats and was driven by the 2.8 -liter V6 from Ford Cologne.

Only 442 Scimitar GTC were manufactured.

Production

Swell

Reliable scimitar: The English company Reliant Scimitar and her. Brand and model in history: Oldtimer Markt Issue 6/ 1990, pp. 218 ff
Man From Ogle: Report on Karen's work for Tom Ogle Design Interview with passages and zahlr. Figure in: Classic & Sports Car, Issue 4/ 2001, pp. 144 ff

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