Reliant Scimitar

[Alec]

Hello all,

have any members ever run a Reliant Scimitar. I've always thought that they are quite a nice car and looking on E-Bay seem rather under valued? What are they like to drive and live with?

Alec

[Steve Knight]

30 years with 3 Scimitar's - still have 2. In good condition they are fabulous, but many are run into the ground, but still keep going. They can take thousands of pounds to put back to A1 and its not financially viable. I could list their problems. Get an expert in GTE's to look it over. RSSOC local contact ? A £700 car will take allot of work and money to make you want to keep it. Then it will last for 30 + years with nothing more than the ocassional water pump. SE5 ( tax exempt ) are the most sought after - you can have mine for £700.

[Alec]

Hello Steve,

What sort of performance and and handling have they? Body work apart, what are the weak areas and any awkward rectification jobs?

Where do you live by the way?

Alec

[Allen Walker]

They can take thousands of pounds to put back to A1 and its not financially viable

Sounds familiar

I saw an understandably pristine Scimitar at Gaydon yesterday. Great shape and a really practical family classic.

[Steve Knight]

[quote="Alec"]Hello Steve,
What sort of performance and and handling have they? Body work apart, what are the weak areas and any awkward rectification jobs?
Where do you live by the way? DEVON

Performance is excellent. Will nearly always beat Porsche and Aston on hill climbs. That essex V6 can put out over 230bhp; a great engine in standard spec / massive torque. Very long lasting and relaible. Inlet V manifold must be perfect. Radiator / hoses water leaks will lead to blown h/gaskets. Worn back axles that whine will be £900+ to fix properly you can waste money on those. Front suspension bushes (TR6) can knock out every few years, and have to be rebuilt with skill. Trunion threads wear with no lubrication. Discs worn thin / calipers siezed / exhaust botched / lights with no earth / connector blocks corroded / shocks leaking / door window winders round off / hinges droop / qtr lights break / front springs sag / rear wiper doesnt park / heated hatch doesnt / hinges seize / 5a dash breaks into pieces / gauges / wiper wash / steering UJ's / carpets & interior never replaced / seats collapse / rear backs hinge seize -/- due to water in side windows / chassis front outrigers rust / and finally back suspension tube is nearly terminal. But not many catch fire anymore if the carb problem has been fixed. All said - its a fantastic car.

[Alec]

Hello Steve,

thanks for the list.

what I'm looking for is a short term interesting car while my Triumph goes into the workshop, although still not fully committed as I don't really need another car as such. There is one not too far away (S5A) which is described as being pretty sound.

We'll sse

Alec

[Alec]

Hello all,

well after some time I bought a non MOT ed SE6A, fairly local and in sound general condition.

I have replaced a lot of consumables, with the water hoses being a relatively major task as access is poor in some areas. Just had passed the MOT with just one area requiring attention (new handbrake cable). Had to find my way round an unfamiliar carburettor, why do people enthuse about Webers?

It drives nicely and is a 4 speed with overdrive. It doesn't feel as lively as my Triumph though but as with all cars that have stood a while it will take a bit of settling in and fettling.

Alec

[wild bill]

Hi Alec,glad you got sorted out! Is that a 38DGAS that's on the car?.If so,they are quite good,bulletproof, fairly easy to work on and set up.There should be a little fuel filter where the fuel inlet pipe meets the carb,should have a brass nut,3/4" head, underneath the pipe junction with the filter inside.These are quite fine and can block/collapse.
Hope you have many years happy motoring in it!!
Cheers,Bill.

[Alec]

Hello Bill,

yes you are right, it is a 38DGAS, too many small holes for me, as someone who's had decades of S.U.'s and quite a few P.I. years. It's now had a service kit and both it's filter and the pump filter cleaned out. I found a comprehensive description on the Cobra website which has been a help. It does seem to start and idle nicely now which it didn't do at first.

After owning one type of car for so many years this is now a learning curve but I do like the general design and feel of it. I miss the front hinged bonnet for accessibility that the Triumph has

Alec

[Chris59]

Hello Alec,
I own a SE5a (manual + OD) since several years, but the chassis is now rotten beyond repair.
I would be very happy to find a good chassis, as I really like this car, it deserve to be saved
Chris.