Reliant Sports Cars

Don Pither’s pictorial history of the Scimitar and its predecessor, the Sabre, shows in detail their conception, development and career, and it celebrates their enduring qualities.

The Reliant Scimitar is one of the most successful and distinctive British sports cars. In almost 20 years, from 1968 to 1986, over 15,000 of these elegant machines were produced, and today the car is still highly regarded for its timeless looks and effective design. Don Pither’s pictorial history of the Scimitar and its predecessor, the Sabre, shows in detail their conception, development and career, and it celebrates their enduring qualities. This book is essential reading for Scimitar owners and enthusiasts, and provides a keen insight for readers who are fascinated by the history of British sports cars. The author recalls how, after 25 years of producing three-wheeled vehicles, Reliant experimented with the production of a four-wheeled sports car, the Sabre, in 1961. The company was so encouraged by the sales potential of this nimble Ford-engined two-seater, which they went on to produce the more ambitious Scimitar coupe of 1964. This innovative car, which carried a stylish Ogle-designed body, was developed into the most famous and most powerful Scimitar of all, the 3-litre GTE sporting estate of 1968. This car sold consistently well throughout the 1970s because of its good looks, practicality and rapid performance. It also gained for the company a valuable royal endorsement as Scimitars were owned by the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne. The car was seen as a classic of its time.