Reliant Scimitar 3.0 Coupe

Some classics are bought. Others are built. This beautiful 1967 Reliant Scimitar SE4a is very much the latter.

Powered by the legendary 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6, the Scimitar was one of Britain’s finest grand tourers of the 1960s. Combining handsome Michelotti-inspired styling with dependable Ford mechanicals, it offered effortless performance, practicality and long-legged touring ability.

Today, they’re a wonderfully usable classic and, despite their rarity, parts support remains excellent. Finished in Opalescent Gunmetal Grey (J1052), this example has benefited from an exceptional nut-and-bolt chassis-off restoration, documented with an extensive photographic record and a detailed restoration journal spanning the entire rebuild.

The restoration itself has a lovely story. The car had remained within the same family since the mid-1970s before spending over 26 years stored off the road. It was then painstakingly restored over a number of years by its dedicated owner, who documented every stage of the journey—from lifting the body from the chassis through to the final rebuild.

It’s exactly the sort of provenance enthusiasts love to see.

Mechanically, the car has been rebuilt to an excellent standard. Highlights include:

* Reconditioned Ford Essex V6

* Alloy timing gear

* Twin carburettor conversion

* Electronic ignition

* Fully rebuilt overdrive gearbox

* New clutch

* Complete brake system rebuild

* Adjustable GAZ suspension

* Uprated radiator

* Stainless steel exhaust

* New carpets throughout

Since arriving with us at Deane Motors, we’ve continued the work by carrying out a full suspension overhaul, comprehensive service and carburettor tune, ensuring the car drives every bit as well as it looks. Unlike many fibreglass-bodied classics, the body is exceptionally straight and free from excessive filler, giving confidence that the quality of the restoration runs far deeper than the paint finish alone.

The result is a classic that starts eagerly, sounds fantastic through its stainless exhaust and delivers exactly the sort of relaxed, effortless driving experience the Essex V6 is famous for. The Reliant Scimitar remains one of Britain’s best-kept secrets. Rare, beautifully engineered, practical and genuinely enjoyable to drive, it offers something refreshingly different from the usual Jaguars, Triumphs and MGs while costing a fraction of the money.

Finding a Scimitar is one thing. Finding one restored to this standard, complete with a documented history of its restoration and now fully prepared by our workshop, is something altogether different. A rare opportunity to own one of Britain’s forgotten GT cars—ready to drive, enjoy and appreciate for years to come.