1978 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE E ODVE

Launched in 1968, the Scimitar was the original ‘lifestyle estate', designed by Tom Karen of Ogle and stablemate to the Scimitar GT Coupe. The GTE was also one of the first cars to offer split-fold rear seats (albeit pioneered by the Standard Eight back in 1953). Following established company practice, it utilised a stiff, separate chassis to underpin its lightweight glassfibre body. This example, a 2994cc SE6A, was registered in January 1978 with desirable manual overdrive gearbox. It is believed to have lived in the Isle of Wight since nearly new and remained there until as recently as 2015, when it was purchased by its last owner. It has received a large amount of both cosmetic and mechanical work, which included a strip-down to the chassis and a full respray of both the chassis and glassfibre bodywork around 2019 into its original yellow. New carpets replaced the originals. The mechanics have also been subject to significant outlay with a complete brake overhaul which included entirely brake lines plus engine work including head gasket, new coolant pipes, and an upgrade to an electric fuel pump with a new fuel line to suit.  

The odometer shows 29,951 miles and the last MoT expired in November 2020 after being tested the year before at an indicated 29,946 miles. The car is now old enough to qualify as an historic vehicle, with free road tax and MoT-exemption, but it will need its details updating with the DVLA. It is running and driving. Paperwork includes the V5C, invoices, MoT certificate from 2012 and carpet fitting instructions.    

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