Middlebridge Scimitar
20th Anniversary
1989 - 2009

Brief History 

In 1986 the Reliant Motor Company made the decision to stop production of the Scimitar GTE and GTC models.  They decided to sell off the famous brand name and full production rights to help inject some much needed cash into their small sports car and 3 wheeler models.

Two ex-Lucas men believed that there was plenty of life still left in the old Scimitar.  Peter Boam and John McCauley from BM Industries negotiated with Reliant to purchase the manufacturing rights for the Scimitar GTE and GTC.  Boam and McCauley had great plans to improve the Scimitar and truly believed there was a market for this type of specialist car.

Above: Peter Boam, John McCauley with M.D of Reliant Ritchie Spencer - Click to enlarge

Although they now owned the rights to the Scimitar GTE and GTC, Peter and John still needed a huge investment to get their new business project running.  They looked to Japanese businessman called Kohji Nakauchi who was the president and major shareholder of the Middlebridge group of companies.  Mr. Nakauchi was a known classic car enthusiast and collector who saw the opportunity as a step closer to future projects he was planning.

In mid 1987 the Middlebridge Scimitar Limited company was formed.  A new factory was set up to produce the Middlebridge Scimitar in Beeston, Nottingham.  The first car they worked on was a Scimitar GTE SE6b that they had obtained from Reliant and proceeded to strip the car completely.  It was  totally rebuilt and incorporated features such as the new 150 bhp Ford V6 2.9i engine, modified galvanised chassis, uprated suspension, new larger rear light clusters with built in fog lights, 15" alloy wheels and new VDO instrumentation to name just a few of the 450 modifications that were carried out. 

Above: Pre-production Prototype owned and use regularly by Dr. Dan Mitchell

Once they were happy with the pre-production prototype, they set about building their first official Middlebridge Scimitar production prototype using bare body shells supplied by Reliant.  

The Middlebridge Scimitar prototype was loaned to Princess Anne while her own car was built to order.  HRH was a great fan of the Scimitar and had owned 8 previous Scimitars since 1970.

Above:  The first production prototype Middlebridge loaned to HRH Princess Anne.

The Middlebridge Scimitar was shown to the public for the first time at the 1988 Earls Court Motorfair and cars were built to order from 1989.  Middlebridge aimed to sell the car in the executive market and it retailed at just over £23,000.

 

Above: Middlebridge at 1988 Earls Court Motorfair - Click to enlarge

Motor journalists reported that although the car was not cheap, it did have quality, exclusivity and was much more useable than a TVR or Panther.  On the road the Middlebridge had excellent road holding without undue body roll, thanks to the uprated suspension with front and rear anti roll bars.  Top speed was said to about 140 mph.

Sadly, sales were not as good as Middlebridge hoped for the final straw came when they lost a legal battle over a  purchase of a vintage racing Bentley.  This ultimately put Middlebridge Scimitar Limited into liquidation.  It was hoped that a new buyer could be found, but in late 1990 the receivers were called and all the assets were sold including unfinished Scimitars left on the production line.  In all there were about 77 Middlebridge Scimitars built.  Princess Anne still owns a Middlebridge Scimitar GTE.

Above: Mick Gaughran's stunning Middlebridge Scimitar (used to belong to the MD of Cadbury!)

It is a real shame that the Scimitar GTE is no longer built however thanks to many enthusiasts and a superb club the legend of the Scimitar GTE lives on.

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The Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners Club (RSSOC) will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Middlebridge Scimitar at their "Sporting Weekend" at Curborough on August 15th and 16th, so why not bring your Middlebridge Scimitar and join in the celebrations  Everyone is welcome, member or non member.