This month’s ONES THAT GOT AWAY subject dates from 1998 and despite several attempts at production it never quite made it for a variety of reasons. I call it the ‘Scimmi’ because it was based on the Reliant Scimitar and never had an official moniker, although was also known as the Eclipse for a time.

Reliant Scimitar-based Scimmi Eclipse from 1999

It was created in Cheshire by a skilled former coachbuilder by the name of Roy Ashton, and famed restoration and classic racing man Trevor Farrington who provided a workshop and able assistance. The prototype was lovingly crafted (That is the correct word too!) with an ash frame and aluminium body, and although Roy wanted to stick with this method pf production it was clearly going to be unrealistic for series kit production, so various attempts at finding the right GRP company who could recreate the gorgeous lines were made, but I always felt that this was a little sacrilegious for Roy, who in my opinion felt that his baby was going to be diluted and ahem ‘bastardised’.

Despite several false starts and the best of intentions the Scimmi has never seen the light of day, which is sad because the styling was gorgeous and the prototype was a work of art. Interestingly public response was good too, as Roy & Trevor exhibited the sleek red roadster at the Exeter show in 1998 to a very warm public reception, and went away pretty encouraged by the response but probably a little disheartened by the prospect of people wanting to make ‘cheap’ versions out of fibreglass. To the proud classic car craftsman it’s all a tad beyond the pale.

The Scimmi was a sweetheart out on the road, and belied its Reliant underpinnings and when I stopped at a petrol station near the M6 in Cheshire I had a heated discussion with a chap in a Daimler who would not believe me that the car was created in Middlewich and was brand new! He was convinced that I was telling him porkies and that it clearly dated from the 1940s and Alvis must have made it. Hmm!

Talking of styling influences, well it definitely wasn’t inspired by Alvis, but more like the BMW 328 of the thirties, although it was not a replica by any stretch of the imagination. The interior however, was sumptuous, and very much in keeping with the style of the car and the noise from the Ford V6 engine was more like the cackle made by the Jaguar XK120 and quintessentially very English and straight six sounding. Performance was lively to say the least but the Scimmi was most happy when cruising along country A-roads.

A lovely car the Scimmi and one of sublime quality and although it wouldn’t have sold in massive numbers it would have sold enough to justify kit production in my view. Sad thing was I just don’t think Roy Ashton was happy with the idea of compromising his creation. Shame.

Words by Steve Hole

Photos from the Totalkitcar Archive.

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