BUE 441B
BUE 441B (chassis and body No. 0003) is the very first Reliant Scimitar. Chassis Nos. 001 and 002 were used for development of the Ogle SX250. 001 never became a finished car that we know of. The prototype 002 which featured in some early publicity material was registered as an Ogle GT and had the reg. AUE 38B Coded SE4 by Reliant this new coupe was christened the Scimitar GT and BUE 441B became the first of the 297 built and was registered in Sept 1964 ready for the Earls Court Motor Show of that year. At the show was also BUE 442B and together these cars showcased the full range of options available. The new Scimitar GT immediately won praise for its elegant lines and comprehensive specification which indeed exceeded cars costing twice as much.
The two Motor Show cars went on to be used extensively as press and test vehicles as well as providing most of the images for Reliant’s literature and brochures. The motoring journalist Edward Eves took a BUE on a continental trip to Monza and on return reported to Ray Wiggin, MD of Reliant, that if the SE4 was to be considered a worthy Grand Touring car the rear suspension needed urgent attention. The cars had inherited the deficiencies of the old Sabre rear suspension which was more emphasised now. As per Eves’s suggestion the top leading arms were repositioned as parallel trailing links with a Watt linkage attached to the diff housing and BUE still has the scars of these modifications visible. Following a retest on a trip to Paul Ricard, Eaves asserted that the ride and handling were transformed and the twin trailing arm arrangement was adopted after 59 cars had been produced.
After a busy time with press, test, and promotional duties BUE appears to have changed hands and colour many times, finally coming of the road in 1986. The car was subsequently discovered in a very sorry state in a collapsed barn. The then owner Eric Sandiford set about a complete rebuild starting in the late 90’s with much of the work undertaken by the late Chris Lloyd. Finally in 2010 and with a brand new MOT BUE 441B was back on the road again with the new owner Matt Greenly, the RSSOC Coupe Registrar. Matt sold the car in 2022 as he felt he was not able to use the car enough and BUE now resides in Hampshire.
Today BUE 441B is very much back to how the car was at the 1964 Motor Show with its Golden Sands paintwork and tan and black interior. The car will require some care and attention in the future like all classics but needless to say anything needed to keep this important historical vehicle in the condition it deserves will be undertaken. It was always our intention to continue to make the car available to the RSSOC and any club for shows and events and in 2024 BUE 441B celebrated the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Scimitar by being at ScimFest again and on the RSSOC stand at the NEC Classic Car Show in November. A fitting tribute to the car that had started it all 60 years ago.
Anton Wittwer, Straight Six.