In the early Sixties, Reliant began to actively participate in motor sport, most notably in rallying.

The 1962 Sabre Six (powered by a Ford six cylinder 2553cc unit) certainly had potential to achieve success in rally events and three such examples were passed to the competition department: 648 GUE, 649 GUE and 650 GUE.

648 GUE has had an active rallying history: in 1963, the Sabre 6 took part in the Alpine and Spa-Sofia-Leige Rallies, and in 1964, the Welsh Rally.

In the Alpine Rally, Reliant won their ‘over 2 ½ Litre’ class; at Spa-Sofia-Leige, Raymond Baxter unfortunately crashed the motor car, and at the ’64 Welsh Rally, driven by Bobby Parkes 648 GUE achieved second in class.

As Reliant was a relatively small company, funds were simply not available for further development, so their involvement in rallying was wound down and the works cars sold to private buyers.

We are told that 648 GUE participated in hills climbs and sprints in private hands up until the Eighties, when it ...