Highlights

• Just 16,320 miles from new
• Advisory-free MOT
• Fully recommissioned by Graham Walker Cars in 2022
• Highly original, right down to the Piesburg carburettor 
• Took part in Car & Classic’s Platinum Jubilee event at Windsor Castle
• Rare sight on UK roads; one of only seven 1985 versions licensed according to How Many Left
• One of the final 50 GTCs to leave the factory
• Desirable galvanised chassis model

The Appeal

The Scimitar represented a huge leap forward for Reliant. Up until that point, the Staffordshire-based firm was known for its small economy cars, many of which were three-wheeled. So, the arrival of the V6-engined Scimitar grand tourer with Lamborghini Espada-inspired styling was quite the revelation! Several celebrity owners owned Scimitars, most notably Princess Anne, who has owned no fewer than eight Scimitars over the years.

This 1985 example is the rare and well-regarded GTC model, denoting that it's the soft top cabriolet model Reliant released in 1980. In fact, it's one of the last 50 GTCs to leave the factory, which also means it has a galvanised chassis. Coupled with the fibreglass bodywork, this car is supremely well-protected against corrosion.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another example that's even half as good as this. As the photographs show, this GTC is a show-quality car in utterly superb order for its age. Only 442 of these remarkable cars were built, so you can be sure you’re looking at a truly rare beast. It is likely the lowest mileage and best-preserved original GTC on the market.

The History and Paperwork

• 1985 UK market RHD example
• The car's first owner kept the car until his passing in 2021, his family then retained the car for a short while
• From here, Graham Walker - the UK Scimitar specialist - purchased and recommissioned the vehicle
• The car was purchased by the previous owner in 2021
• In 2022 the car attended Car & Classic's Platinum Jubilee event at Windsor Castle; this was a curated event in which we chose spectacular examples of British motoring
• No.418 of only 442 Scimitar GTCs built
• Of these, only 13 were built in 1985
• Reliant stated that only cars from 1983 were manufactured with a galvanised chassis
• This equates to only 70 cars in total with this desirable feature
• The DVLA registers only four keepers from new
• The Odometer was replaced at around 4,328 miles to factory warranty
• Currently, the car indicates 16,320 miles on a five-figure odometer
• This results in a remarkably low mileage of only 20,648 miles, supported by the service record book
• Road tax exemption application can be submitted this year
• MOT until February 2024 with no advisories

The Condition

• Stylish fibreglass bodywork is in good order with no significant cracks or fractures
• Painted in factory 'Champagne' which remains in very good order
• The vendor notes a very small blemish on the inside front wheel arch
• Some light stone chips have been touched up on the frontmost areas of the car
• The offside rear wing has some very light micro blistering that's difficult to discern
• The trims are in good order and set off a superb contrast
• Glass lights and badging are in good order with minimal wear
• The original soft top is in great order with clear, well-kept PVC window panels
• In addition there is a barely used hard top for the car that has a heated rear window
• The car is sitting on its original wheelset - a particularly attractive set of GTC alloys
• Full set of Davanti tyres which are newly fitted
• Underneath, the car is reportedly excellent order - clearly benefiting from its galvanised chassis and all presents superbly
• Highly impressive period interior; fabric and vinyl seats in exceptional order with no rips or tears
• Rear seats have been fitted with three-point inertia safety belts
• Evocative angular dashboard in superb order with period instruments
• The only significant modification here are to the sound system
• The dashboard’s plastics are all clean and well-presented
• The stereo does not use from the external aerial
• Light wear to the driver’s footwell carpet
• There is a very minor repair to the driver’s seat piping but this is barely noticeable

• Blaupunkt retro-style stereo head
• Uprated door speakers
• Under-dash tweets
• A discreetly mounted boot subwoofer
• The original radio, however, still works and will be provided 

The Mechanics

• 2.8-litre (2,792cc )Ford Cologne V6 shared with the ever-beloved Ford Capri
• Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive
• Well-presented engine bay and spare wheel
• We note the originality, including the original Piesburg carburettor
• Last overhauled and subject to major service in 2022
• No MOT advisories
• We’ve no reports of any known mechanical issues
• We certainly can’t spot any sign of leaks, knocks, bangs or smoke
• The car is reportedly starting first time and remains eminently usable

BEFORE YOU BUY