Lot Ended
Description
Body-off restoration by the previous owner of 25 years with many new
parts; overdrive; stainless steel exhausts and fuel tank; further improved by
the current owner; running and driving nicely on site; a cheap and cheerful
classic, ready to enjoy
Launched in 1972
as an evolution of the original SE5, the ‘A’ suffix brought with it a host of
refinements that made the SE5A an even more capable long-distance grand tourer.
These included a revised dashboard and improved interior heating compared to its
predecessor.
While most sports cars of the era
forced drivers to choose between performance and practicality, the Scimitar
famously offered both. Its glass-fibre body, designed by Tom Karen of Ogle
Design, pioneered the ‘shooting brake’ silhouette. This gave it a sleek, sporty
profile while providing enough interior room to actually fit two adults in the
back, or a surprising amount of luggage.
Under
the long bonnet lurked the dependable Ford Essex 3.0 V6 engine. While it wasn't
a high-revving Italian exotic, it provided 135bhp with plenty of low-end torque,
making it an effortless cruiser with a 0-60mph time of 8.5 seconds and a top
speed of 120mph. Its chassis was stiff and handled surprisingly well, thanks to
a Watts linkage at the rear.
First registered in
October 1973, this SE5A has the desirable manual overdrive gearbox and is
finished in cheerful Broom Yellow with white side panels. From 2000 – 2025 it
was owned by a Hampshire gent who reputedly treated it to a body-off
restoration, as detailed in the following notes on file:
“The owner has had the Scimitar since 2000 and has given it a
body-off restoration over the last 25 years.
The
chassis has been internally waxed and externally painted; new body to chassis
anti-vibration rubbers fitted; replacement stainless steel exhausts and a
stainless steel fuel tank.
The engine has had a
complete set of gaskets and a new rear oil seal and the heads have been removed
with the valves re-lapped and a new Weber carb and radiator fitted.
New clutch and thrust bearing fitted, new clutch
master and slave cylinder. Gearbox and overdrive unit checked.
Starter motor overhauled. New solid state
distributor. All electrical wiring checked and new terminals fitted. Light
lenses refurbished with stainless steel threads and nylon nuts.
Brakes overhauled with a new master cylinder,
new front pads, discs, and rear brake shoes, calipers refurbished, new pipes and
hoses.
Front suspension completely overhauled.
Electric fuel priming pump
fitted.”
Our vendor acquired the car at an
auction in Woking in December 2025 but after driving it for just a few minutes
the head gasket blew so he has fitted a new pair of high quality
Victor Reinz head gaskets, along with a new intake gasket and thermostat
housing gasket.
He has also gone right through
the car to sort out any other obvious niggles. This included replacing the
sub-standard rubber fuel hoses from the petrol tank to the fuel pump with much
more suitable 5/16 kunifer (Cupro-Nickel) pipes and fitting a Mahle fuel filter
just after the tank for extra peace of mind. A new boot latch and rear hatch
seal were also fitted.
The engine was flushed
through three times with fresh oil, Castrol 20w/50 being used for the
4th and final fill. The cooling system was also thoroughly flushed at
the same time and currently has a 50/50 mix of distilled water and IAT
anti-freeze.
He has been using the car as his
grocery-getter since and reports that it runs and drives well, the only fault he
has noted being the right indicator: “For whatever reason, activating the right
indicator will turn on the high beams. The left indicator works perfectly
fine”.
As you can see in the photos, this freshly
rejuvenated Scimitar looks to be in generally good shape for its age with a
smart interior, fighting fit mechanically and good underneath. Okay, the paint
finish won’t win any prizes but it looks presentable enough as it is. A
highly detailed two-volume workshop manual is included, along with a Brooklands
Books service manual.
Starting promptly and
running well as we have moved it around on site, with healthy 60psi oil
pressure, this handsome and practical classic is on offer here at a
modest guide price considering the extent of all the good work carried out to
date.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com