Scimitar Drivers

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The chassis was designed on the same lines as the Lotus Elan, consisting of a backbone chassis with tubular outriggers with front and rear steel box sections. The chassis were made in Germany and were galvanised from 1986 onwards (chassis No 900).

SS1

The bodies were made by Reliant and Dunlop. The press and public were not impressed with the original design. The upward pointing headlights and the strong wing moulding lines were seen as not being that attractive. The original SS1 was offered with either a Ford 1300cc or 1600cc CVH engine. The model was also produced with the Nissan 1800cc Turbo engine which gave the car a top speed of 126mph, the fastest production Scimitar, Reliant ever produced. The interiors of these cars were designed by Jevon Thorpe and he used the Metro switchgear. All models had body panels secured to the chassis using Torx bolts. Due to the mixture of manufacture the panels were difficult to fit and achieve even join lines. Production targets were not met. The cars had a very useable boot capable of holding 6.7 cubic feet of luggage.

 

SST

In 1990 Reliant introduced the SST, which was an updated version of the original SS1. The car was now using more traditional fibreglass for the body panels which meant the moulding lines down the sides were reduced. Also the headlights were now covered which made the car altogether more attractive. The car was denoted as the SST because the redesign was carried out by William Towns. The engine was now the Ford 1400cc unit with the 1800cc Turbo still available.

 

Scimitar Sabre

The Scimitar Sabres appeared in 1991 and was restyled in 1993 with the introduction of the Rover K series 1400cc engine. This engine gave the new Scimitar Sabre a very respectable top speed of 125mph and a 0-60mph of 8.5 secs. The car was by now a very attractive model and would surely be a very worthy addition to the range of Reliant sports cars. Alas, Reliant were going through another takeover and the receivers were called in. The final cars were too late to change the fortunes of the company and production ceased in May 1995.

Scimitar SS1