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To protect the sellers I
visited some of the names
and locations have not been
mentioned. Some of the sellers
are bigger than me and may
pay me a visit, not nice with
my allergy. I have an allergy
to pain, it hurts me!
Click here to see JBY 137K the in the Archive.
Click here for Don's web site.
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Why a Scimitar GTE? Back in the
days of the dinosaurs when I was
in my late teens early 20s I was
like lots of young lads, into cars
and females. Unfortunately like
most Lads the cars and females I
liked were not accessible. The cars
due to cost and the females due
to unknown factors. How could they
resist a Macho Lad like me? Now
I am older and married the female
hunt is over (loss of hormones due
to age and the misses would not
be pleased). The kids have left
home so I now have some money for
myself. The cars that were un-accessible
can now be mine. The cars ranged
from Dolomite Sprint to A.C. Cobra.
Cobra out of the equation due to
cost. Amongst the cars was a Scimitar
GTE. I always had a fondness for
the GTE due to its styling and 3
litre V6, no substitute for CCs.
So I thought why not investigate
and research the what’s and
wherefores of a GTE making it a
project that I could keep and use
for myself. I have completed a number
of projects over the years; more
due to the Friday night at the bar
conversations like will a Ford V6
go into a Mk1 Escort? (Yes it does
but make sure the brakes are sorted
as driving it is “interesting”).
Other project have been, Mini Cooper,
1600E, Lotus 7 and others.
So I spent a couple of months doing
research like, how much are they,
what are the availability and cost
of parts, how many are still out
there etc. I trawled through every
Web Site that I could find, that
did make thing confusing as when
I accessed dealer sites the prices
were £3k to £5k and
upwards but private sales were averaging
from £200 to £1k5 mostly
around the £1k price. There
did not seem to be the differential
in condition to justify some of
the dealer’s prices or were
the private sales under priced?
I recognise that cars in dealers
are always a higher price and there
were some good examples but they
were not for me, nothing to do with
them apart from normal servicing
etc. During my research I found
out that there were differences
with GTEs, SE5 – SE5a –
SE6 etc. most of the information
came from a message board web site
via yahoo most of whom were from
the Scimitar Owners Club ( I realise
there were others with different
interests, GTCs, Sabres etc ). I
trawled through past messages and
asked questions, I’m sure some
on the message board were getting
fed up with me but most were very
helpful in explaining the differences
of GTEs and other technical questions
that I asked. As with some questions
I was aware that I could ask the
same question to ten people and
get eleven different replies. This
is obviously due to their own experiences
and preferences. So lots of questions
later, a visit to the local Noggin
meeting and I had my “Ideal”
GTE in mind. An early SE5a, manual,
overdrive, preferably with an Engine
with the dipstick near the servo
and not in the timing cover, make
sure there was no trim both internal
and external missing due to difficulty
in obtaining replacements. Details
like tatty were not a problem to
me as it would be more of a challenge
(mad fool). Check chassis for rust
(outriggers, around top of rear
shocks, and around / below radiator
etc). Normal problems with fibreglass
body, grazing, blisters etc. And
Red would be nice! Now I am dreaming.
I decided that I would pay up to £2k for the right GTE
and was realistic enough to understand
that “you get what you pay
for” but due to the prices
I had seen the cars going for about
£1k were the norm. The prices
I had seen seemed a bit low for
what I would call a Classic Car
but if that’s what they were
going for all the better for me.
Most of the adverts I had seen
were all around the midlands and
the south east, living in Plymouth
Devon meant the possibility of traveling
some distance, so I thought if there
were any closer I would have search
them out. I placed adverts with
every Web Site I could find and
the local free ads etc. This I done
and so I sat back waiting for all
the GTEs to come to me. A couple
of weeks went by, nothing. Then
suddenly e-mails and phone calls.
My advert was worded “GTE wanted,
SE5a preferred but others considered.
South West if possible. Preferably
Roadworthy. Most of the replies
were from miles away, the south
east, midlands and Scotland but
some were in the south west. When
I asked was the car “roadworthy”
the replies were always, Oh yes.
So off I went with tools, check
list etc to view. Only 20 miles
to the first one but when I arrived
I was presented with a GTE that
had no Timing Wheel, only two road
wheels and was home to a flock of
chickens. When I asked the seller
“you call that roadworthy”
the reply was “well it will
be after a bit of work”. I
smiled and said goodbye. The seller
said make me an offer to take it
away, not a chance I said, it was
not what I was looking for. If you
want it it’s yours he said,
take it. No thanks, I left. I did
not consider advising others as
there was nothing of any use, a
few small bits maybe but who would
travel to the Devon/Cornwall border?
The next one was about 15 miles
away from where I was. Upon arriving
it looked more like a roadworthy
GTE. Going through my check list
(five pages) most things were OK,
a slight concern with a bit of trim
missing but the chassis was good
as the owner had completed body
off restoration to the chassis.
Thinking if the price was right
the missing trim would not dissuade
me I asked “How much?”
I don’t know what their worth
was the reply. I showed him all
the information I had, GTEs of the
age and condition of his being between
£800 to £1k2. OK he
said I will accept £2k5. I
asked why so much after what I had
shown him, the reply was “I’ve
done loads of work”. I tried
to explain that time spent on most
old cars is a labour of love, not
an investment but he would not go
any lower that £2k5. I said
my goodbyes, thanked him and left.
Time for home and a beer. Next weekend
a couple more to see. First one
60 miles west into Cornwall . Upon
arriving I was shown a GTE in a
barn. Looked promising, had a look
and with my items on my list checking
off OK until the chassis. No outriggers!
So that was what I was lying in,
rust dust, but maybe if the price
is right. Went to start the engine,
clunk, started jammed? Had the battery
on charge the owner said so it can’t
be the battery. Give the starter
motor a thump with the hammer in
the hope to un-jam it no difference.
After lots of buggering about I
tried to turn the engine with a
spanner on the front pulley, no
chance, wouldn’t move. Very
strange said the owner it worked
a treat when I drove it here 10
years ago !. I thanked him and said
goodbye. 45 miles to North Cornwall
for the next one. More barns here
but this GTE was under a tarpaulin
at the edge of a field. As soon
as the tarpaulin was removed I said
goodbye, how sad to see a Car in
that condition, I swear even the
Body looked rusty. Off home to more
beer. Time to think on the way home,
what part of “Roadworthy”
are people having trouble with.
I must have more of a conversation
with them on the phone before I
visit. A couple more phone calls
the following week but I was ready
with questions. I did not go to
see them. I was coming to the conclusion
that the longer someone had owned
a Car the more they thought it was
worth. Even if the Car was in poor
condition. It seemed as if they
had not noticed the gradual deterioration
over time. The next weekend off
in an easterly direction, Somerset
and Dorset. Arriving at the first
one there was an SE6 in the drive,
looking around for a SE5a there
was none to be seen, the seller
appeared from his house and noticed
me looking around. Lost something?
Looking for an SE5a I replied, there
it is on the drive was his reply.
That’s not an SE5a was my reply,
Oh I thought it was an SE5a he said.
Not feeling too pleased as I had
left home at 6:30am I thought I
would give it a try. It was not
in too bad condition, slightly tatty
inside, not surprising as it had
done 190k miles. I asked the seller
that this reply to my questions
via phone and e-mail had been less
than honest his reply was he believed
once I had seen the Car I would
want to buy it, another seller who
had owned a Car for sometime and
had a high regard of it. I thanked
him for his time and left him in
no doubt of my thoughts of driving
70 miles to see a Car that was not
as advertised due to “Misleading”
information by him. 45 miles to
the next one, this I knew was an
SE6. Nice greeting from the seller,
allowed me to view the Car without
“Hovering” he went into
his house and said there was a Cuppa
whenever I was ready. Not a bad
example, it had been cared for but
the test drive was interesting.
When accelerating I thought I was
in an automatic even though it was
a manual. First thought was clutch
slipping but it was not, I think
it may have been overdrive problems
as it seemed as if it was engaged
all of the time, I took care to
keep away from reverse gear. I advised
the seller that I would contact
him within the next couple of days
on my decision but I was not happy
with the Car. 45 miles north to
the next one, a SE5. The sunroof
was interesting, a gap of two inches
all round, a ripple in the roof
behind the sunroof, and a test drive
nearly ended with me and the Car
in some ones garden. Stiff steering?
I had to use two hands to turn the
wheel, and that was when it was
moving. I advised the seller of
the heavy steering and he was very
surprised. Never noticed he said,
how long have you owned the Car
I asked, about 15 years was the
reply. Another example of things
happening so gradual that the owner
does not notice, and the asking
price was £1k. I thanked him
for his time and left. 75 miles
to the next one, on the south coast,
Dorset. This time an SE5. Looked
quite nice but outriggers needed
replacing before the next MOT although
I knew about them as the seller
had advised me. It had the early
Essex Engine with the dipstick in
the timing gear cover. Apart from
the outriggers all seemed reasonable.
A test drive proved that the Car
was not bad but turning left off
a roundabout resulted in an interesting
noise from the engine and the Oil
Pressure Gauge dropping to 0 for
a few seconds, oh yes the early
Essex engine. Thinking that maybe
this could be the GTE for me I pondered
over changing the engine to the
later Essex and getting the outriggers
done. The asking price was £1.2k
but I agreed with the seller £1k.
He said that someone else was interested
in the Car and was willing to pay
him the asking price of £1.2k
and would wait for them to view
before allowing it to go to me for
£1k not a problem as I had
another Car to see the following
weekend and would contact him after
I had viewed it. So off home for
more beer, this had been a very
long day and I had to go some to
make last orders, of course I never
go above the speed limit officer.
The next weekend another early
start, off to Hereford 190 miles
this time. What a day! force 8 winds
and poring with rain. Upon arriving
at the house the seller took me
another 2 miles to a farm. Upon
opening the barn my thoughts were,
not all this way for that! There
was an SE5a, covered in dirt and
grime;
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I would have expected someone who is selling a Car to at least wash it to make it somewhat presentable. The interior was covered in grime and the floors were covered in mud. Well I'm here now so I had to look. Underneath the chassis and outriggers looked very good, asking the owner I was advised that the chassis etc had been done a couple of years ago and the Car had only done a very low mileage since. Going through my checklist the Car was proving to be a lot better than it first looked, no missing trim, five new tyres, and it started first time (I had felt the exhaust manifolds; they were cold so it had not been started that day). Driving it out of the barn into the yard the Car continued to get better.
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The rain and wind soon removed a fair bit of the dust and grime and even though it had a few of the normal factory fitted micro blisters and a small amount of grazing it looked presentable. The test drive was also pleasing, I looked for potholes to listen for suspension problems, none could be heard. On and off the accelerator only a slight clunk, nothing to worry about. Shame it's an Auto, I would have preferred a manual but I knew I could not be picky.
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So back to the barn, take a few pictures then back to the seller's house. The Speedo Mileage was 71k, the wear on the steering wheel and pedal rubbers etc seemed to confirm the mileage. The advertised price was £500 and it was 1972 Tax Exempt, this is getting better. Being the nice person that I am I asked the seller that I would not haggle over the price if he got a new MOT on the Car, he agreed. I paid him half the asking price and set off home. (What a Plonker, when I arrived home there was a message advising me I had not signed the Cheque !). At last I thought, I found my GTE possibly not everyone's first choice but a Car I felt I could do something with. During the drive home I was wondering how I was going to get the GTE back to Plymouth, sort that later. Three weeks later, MOT had been posted to my home, insurance sorted and Tax Disc obtained so off to Hereford . The misses (Bless her) dropped me off on the way to her sisters in London , shortcut through Hereford on the way to London from Plymouth ! Complete the payment etc with the seller. Load the GTE with stuff I had taken just in case, water, oil, tools etc and off I went. Not too much of a worry as I had RAC recovery for emergency. Not to fast I thought, take my time, no rush. Six and a half hours later I arrive home! The top speed of the Car was 45mph, 50 going downhill. I stopped at a couple of services and had a look for anything obvious but none could be found. Using some of the new parts I had taken with me I replaced the points, condensor, rotor arm, distributor cap, spark plugs and H.T. leads. No change so I thought go for it. I have been up and down the M5 lots of times before and never noticed how many hills there were, and it seemed that they were all going up, and at 45mph it is a very long road. No worries I thought, until I was just pasted Exeter . At the end of the M5 the road splits, left to Torbay , right to Plymouth so out I went into the third lane. At 4:45pm there was a lot of traffic but 45mph would not be too bad? Just as I entered the third lane the Car decided that it wanted to go slower, 10mph was the best it would do. How no one drove into the back of me is a mystery. So at a crawl I struggled up what is known as Haldon Hill. By halfway up there was a line of Lorries behind me. I waved to show I was having problems and the Lorry Drivers were very understanding and once over the hill they all went passed. This progress (Or lack of) continued all the way to Plymouth, the slightest incline was at 10mph, one and a half hours to drive 45 miles, what fun, welcome to the world of the Scimitar.
So now I own a GTE, lots to do but I will make it good again. Not concourse but as reliable as possible and looking smart. I do not like Cars to be so good that I worry about where I park them. This to me is a hobby, just for fun, boys and their toys. My thoughts are Old Cars are never owned, you are just looking after it for the next owner.
What lessons have I learnt? Apart from getting a good understanding of GTEs the attitudes of sellers have not surprised me. In my 50+ years on this planet and dealing with and buying Cars the sellers, most of the time, believe the Car they are selling is better than others. I supposes this is the same as a majority of people believing that their driving is above average. To me the GTE is an attractive Car with styling that defies its age, an engine with some grunt and the Car is different. It still surprises me how low the prices are. If someone wants an older Car that does not rust (Ignoring the Chassis) parts are easy to obtain (Excepting some bodywork and Trim) and are a realistic price, and look different the GTE fits. My thoughts are that the Scimitar in all its variants will not become any cheaper and could well increase slightly. Why ?. It is its own worst enemy, if it had been made of metal how many would be around today ?. Being fibreglass it is capable of having its bodywork ignored and so a high number seen on the road look scruffy and are not very appealing. For example, compare them to an MGB. For an MG to get to 30 year old it must have had some very careful owners or been restored and so will look shinny and bright, so when seen the thoughts will be, "That looks nice, Can I have one." There is also an unfortunate attitude of some who upon hearing the name "Reliant" think of Del Boy, Three Wheelers etc. This has happened to me, the boys at the Bar have had some great fun at my expense. Not a problem as I am old and ugly enough to take it, and although this is never done with any nastiness it proves the attitude of the name "Reliant" in the minds of some.
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