Highlights
- Significant expenditure in recent years
- Engine rebuild among other big-ticket items
- In current ownership since 2017
The Appeal
Introduced in 1976 and designed to appeal to a more executive audience than the preceding SE5, the Scimitar SE6 was offered only in its now instantly-recognisable ‘sports estate’ body configuration, and was powered by the highly respected and potent 3.0-litre Ford ‘Essex’ V6 engine, as fitted to the SE5.
Specifically, the SE6A was introduced in 1976 and remained in production until 1980, when the engine was swapped out for the newer - though less powerful, and less reliable - 3.0 ‘Cologne’ V6 for the SE6B.
You’re probably waiting for the cliché ‘Princess Anne had one of those, you know’ comment (she had several, actually) so there you go. If it’s good enough for royalty…
This particular example has been in the care of the vendor since 2017, during which time it has been used and enjoyed, before a full engine rebuild was carried out, and it has seen only limited use since.
Ready to use as-is or a prime candidate for aesthetic transformation, the possibilities with this Scimitar are plentiful and varied…
Ready to use as-is or a prime candidate for aesthetic transformation, the possibilities with this Scimitar are plentiful and varied…
The History and Paperwork
- V5 registered keepers document, showing 7 former keepers
- Invoices totalling over £16,000 worth of work in the last five years
- Numerous MoT certificates
First registered on 15 August 1980, this Scimitar is one of the last fitted with the revered Essex V6 engine before the end of GTE6A production, and the commencement of GTE6B with the Cologne V6 in its place.
Originally finished in a shade of brown - how wonderfully 80’s - one of the previous keepers elected to have the car re-sprayed in a period-correct (but not OE) two-tone gold/black finish, though the interior remains in its original colour way.
Purchased by the vendor in 2017 after coveting the car since his school days (due to a head of year driving one… in its era it certainly stood out from the rest of the cars in the car park!) this Scimitar has proven itself to be a fantastic daily driver for a number of years, including school runs, general duties and even a handful of longer drives up to Manchester.
In 2019, the decision was made to carry out a full engine removal, strip, rebuild and re-assembly, along with a full mechanical and underside refresh/overhaul, with a no-holds-barred approach to the work.
This, in total, cost over £16,000 but the result is a Scimitar that may look a little weary on the outside (more on that in a moment) but is absolutely on-the-button and mechanically fantastic, ready to use and enjoy to its fullest extent.
This, in total, cost over £16,000 but the result is a Scimitar that may look a little weary on the outside (more on that in a moment) but is absolutely on-the-button and mechanically fantastic, ready to use and enjoy to its fullest extent.
The Interior
- Wonderfully 80s velour
- Very good condition throughout
- Upgraded stereo and aftermarket steering wheel
Step inside this GTE6A and it's like being transported back to the 80s. Velour, brown, beige and that wonderful classic car smell are all here in abundance, and it’s all the better for it.
Not only that, but the interior of this Scimitar is also in fantastic condition for its age, and presents very well indeed.
Sure, there are a few ‘usage’ marks commensurate with the vehicle’s age and mileage (which, the vendor states, is believed to be genuine) in areas such as the inner door sills, shifter, footwells and carpets, but nothing that would be considered untoward.
The rear seats fold down flat to provide an impressively expensive luggage compartment, and are again in very good condition.
In fact, the only real issues we could see with the seats are two missing ‘buttons’ from the driver’s seat base, some light creasing and discolouration of the headrests.
In fact, the only real issues we could see with the seats are two missing ‘buttons’ from the driver’s seat base, some light creasing and discolouration of the headrests.
The upgraded stereo unit features bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, whilst the aftermarket steering wheel remains in very good order.
According to the vendor, the only issue with the interior is that the driver’s window regulator is broken. A new part is supplied in the boot of the vehicle, though it is an electric window regulator and requires modification to fit.
Otherwise, all gauges and systems work as they should be, down to the marker lights hidden in the door recesses. Remarkable!
The Exterior
- Previously resprayed
- Solid, but in need of some TLC
- Side windows retain registration etching
- ‘Innovative’ rear hatch mechanism
On the outside, it is fair to say that this V6-powered GT has seen some better days, though this is largely down to the previously-mentioned respray, which appears to have been a ‘blow-over’ job rather than a full strip and paint. Rectifying this had always been on the vendor’s ‘to-do’ list, but it has never transpired.
The good news is that although the paintwork is pretty poor, the actual bodywork is in very good condition, with the only accident damage being visible on the nearside front wing, which was caused by the vendor’s wife clipping a wall. Otherwise, there are no mis-aligned panels, impact signs or issues to report.
The headlights have been replaced whilst in the care of the vendor, and the bumpers are free of all but the lightest of marks which attest to years of use.
The paintwork could be left as-is for the in-vogue ‘patina/rat rod’ look, or would be a great candidate for a full strip and re-spray in the colour of your choosing, the choice is yours.
All four wheels have seen better days, and a refurbishment would be advised to bring them back to their best, though they are - of course - absolutely useable as they sit, with no reported leaks or issues.
The vendor notes that the lock for the rear hatch is broken, though they are uncertain whether this is a mechanism fault, or if the key has simply worn away over the years.
The Mechanicals
Fully rebuilt 3.0 ‘Essex’ V6 engine
Full suspension and chassis overhaul
On-the-button, ready to enjoy
Open the bonnet, and you’ll realise just how far back the V6 engine in this Scimitar is mounted - it’s rather impressive.
The block and its ancillaries may look a little dirty, but the vendor assures us that basically everything inside - including the pistons, piston bores and carburettors (among other items) are new or refurbished, with the vendor stating that this engine is, in effect, almost brand-new on account of its lack of use in the years since being rebuilt.
The block and its ancillaries may look a little dirty, but the vendor assures us that basically everything inside - including the pistons, piston bores and carburettors (among other items) are new or refurbished, with the vendor stating that this engine is, in effect, almost brand-new on account of its lack of use in the years since being rebuilt.
Firing up with ease and showing no signs of excessive smoking (in fact, it showed no smoking at all on idle during our photo shoot, and only a tiny amount when first starting, as you’d expect from a classic that’s clearing its throat) the engine and transmission in this Scimitar are reported to be in rude mechanical health, with no known faults or quirks to report.
Highlights of the aforementioned mechanical overhaul include:
- Full engine strip, rebuild with new pistons, rebore, new Weber 38DGAS carburettor
- New accelerator pump and tune, service and new fan switch
- Rebuild rear brakes, adjust cables
- New rear wheel cylinders
- Replacement of all shocks and springs
- New water pump and heater control unit
- New H/T plugs and leads
- Transmission service including new fluid and gaskets
- New coolant hoses and clips
- New rubber fuel hoses and clips
- Four new tyres (2018)
- New PAS pump seals
- Replacement steering rack
- Extensive work to front chassis support area
On account of its age, this vehicle is now exempt from mandatory MoT testing.
Summary
The last of the Essex V6’s, meticulously overhauled mechanically and ready to use, this 1980 Reliant Scimitar GTE6A is ready to press into daily service, or would make an excellent candidate for aesthetic restoration, given how much time and money has been put into making the oily bits ship-shape.
Offered from enthusiast ownership and with significant recent expenditure, if you’re looking for a mechanically strong, dependable and useable example of the classic ‘sports estate’ from the 80s, this is the ticket.
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