Reliant Scimitar GTC SE8

1980 to 1986

Production	1980-1986 442 built
Engine	2.8 L Ford V6
Transmission	4 speed manual with overdrive Ford C3 3 speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,637 mm (103.8 in)
Length	4,432 mm (174.5 in)
Width	1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Height	1,321 mm (52.0 in)
Kerb weight	2,790 lb (1,266 kg)

Reliant began planning a convertible in 1977 and commissioned Ogle Design to create a proposal. Tom Karen adapted his earlier GTE design and created a beautifully proportioned four-seater convertible with a good sized boot. From the B post back, all of the panels were new, with extra bracing introduced between the rear side panels and door hinge plates running under the dash board. The roll hoop from the GTE was retained, and for additional support this was linked to extra tubes running around the front screen creating a T bar design that would ensure the rigidity of the new body design. As the car sported a separate chassis and the extra bracing it did not suffer from the scuttle shake that monocoque convertible's may suffer. The hood was designed in house by adapting the hood frame from a Triumph Stag, with a bespoke cover made of mohair.

A prototype car was produced in 1978 (still in existence today), powered by a 3.0 Essex engine. Later Reliant replaced it with a 2.8 Cologne engine, because had Ford withdrawn their Essex engines from the European market in favour of the Cologne unit. This was slightly down on torque compared to the Essex engine, so to improve performance Reliant changed the final drive ratio from 3.31 to 3.54. The GTC was launched in March 1980 and was well received by the motoring press. However in 1980 the country was heading into a recession and Reliant struggled to sell their £11,360 convertibles in great numbers. As a result many cars were left sitting at the factory for months until owners could be found. Today the GTC is a very rare sight on our roads and is possibly the most desirable of the Scimitar models.

• A total of 442 production GTCs were manufactured by Reliant (+ 1 prototype)
• 340 were manufactured in 1980 (the first year of production)
• Factory galvanised chassis from production number 372 - 442 (earlier cars had a painted steel chassis)
• 3 were manufactured in 1981, 20 in 1982, 24 in 1983, 29 in 1984, 13 in 1985, 13 in 1986
• Most of the cars registered in 1981 were actually manufactured in 1980
• The GTC is lighter than the SE6B GTE on which it is based
• The GTC was 10% more expensive than the SE6B in 1980
• In 1980 a GTC would have cost £11,360, equivalent to over £40,000 now

Middlebridge Scimitar (1988–90)

After production at Reliant ceased, Middlebridge Scimitar Ltd. acquired the manufacturing rights to the Scimitar GTE and GTC in June 1987. This company, based in Beeston, Nottingham, produced a 2.9 L version of the GTE with many modifications and modernizations(over 450)including electronic fuel injection and a 5-speed Ford T9 gearbox.(with the Ford A4LD 4 speed auto as as an option)

Middlebridge Scimitar No.5 was delivered to HRH The Princess Anne. Only 78 Scimitars (all bar 3 in RHD) were ever produced by Middlebridge before the company went into receivership in 1990. One GTC was made, using a LHD body from Reliant which was converted by Middlebridge to RHD but the car was never completed and eventually the body and chassis were separated and sold off to new owners. The production rights were subsequently acquired by Graham Walker Ltd., who still builds Scimitars to order