Reliant Scimitar SS1
Encyclopedia
Aiming to fill a gap in the small sports car market, Scimitar SS1 was launched by Reliant
in 1984 at the British International Motor Show
in Birmingham. It was Michelotti
's last design. The name was reported to stand for Small Sports 1. Despite plans for production of 2000 a year, only 1507 models were produced in the ten years of overall production. In 1990, the SS1 was renamed as the SST following a facelift and in 1992 was launched as the Sabre. Sales of the Sabre ceased in 1995 with the collapse of Reliant.
. The 1.3 L (later replaced with a 1.4 L) and 1.6 L engines were Ford CVH units, front mounted driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox on the 1300 and 1400, and a five-speed gearbox with the 1600. The suspension was independent all round using coil springs with semi trailing arms at the rear. The body panels were made of polyurethane or glass reinforced polyester, fitted to a semi-space frame
backbone chassis. The panels were designed to be easily removed and replaced to repair accident damage. A removable hard top was available as an option.
The SS1 1.6 L had a engine capacity of 1596 cc with a power output of 96 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 133 lbft @ 4000 of torque and could reach 110 mi/h and accelerated to 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds. In 1986, the range was joined by the CA18ET 1809 cc turbocharged
engine from the Nissan Silvia
. The 1800Ti, as the Nissan-engined version was known, received standard alloy wheels and a small rear spoiler and gave the car a significant performance boost with a power output of 135 bhp @ 6000, 143 lbft of torque which provided for a top speed of 126 mi/h mph and 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds.
This car had unusual uncovered rectangular Porsche 928 style pop-up headlamps
and shared many components with production cars of the day, such as Austin-Rover switchgear and gauges. It is currently one of the most affordable small sports convertibles on the second hand market, with low running costs and readily available parts. The post 1986 with a galvanised chassis can be identified by a single windscreen wiper.
was based on the SS1 1800ti, restyled by William Towns
. Intended for the United States market and powered by a V8 engine, it was commissioned by General Motors
, but planned production of the car was dropped when GM funding was withdrawn.
The engines were Nissan's CA18ET (1800Ti) producing 135 bhp and Ford's CVH (1400) producing 75 bhp.
.
Based on the chassis of the SS1 and SST, it was announced in 1991 and launched in 1992 with the same 1.4 Ford engine and 1.8 Nissan engines as before. A restyle followed in 1993 with the introduction of the new Rover
K-series 1.4 L engine, with a top speed of 113 mi/h and acceleration 0-60mpg in 9.4 seconds. The Sabre was visually different with larger 15" wheels and flared wheel arches.
Reliant
Reliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
in 1984 at the British International Motor Show
British International Motor Show
The British International Motor Show is an automobile show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The 2008 was the last event with no news of a return of the British International Motor Show...
in Birmingham. It was Michelotti
Giovanni Michelotti
Giovanni Michelotti was one of the most prolific designers of sports cars in the 20th century. His notable contributions were for Triumph and BMW marques...
's last design. The name was reported to stand for Small Sports 1. Despite plans for production of 2000 a year, only 1507 models were produced in the ten years of overall production. In 1990, the SS1 was renamed as the SST following a facelift and in 1992 was launched as the Sabre. Sales of the Sabre ceased in 1995 with the collapse of Reliant.
Scimitar SS1 (1984–90)
The chassis was inspired by Lotus's ElanLotus Elan
Lotus Elan is the name of two convertible cars and one fixed head coupé produced by Lotus Cars. The original Type 26, 26R Racing version , 36R Racing version , 36 Fixed Head Coupe, 45 Drop Head Coupe, and the "Type 50" +2 Coupe, circa 1962 to 1975, are commonly known as the '60s Elans...
. The 1.3 L (later replaced with a 1.4 L) and 1.6 L engines were Ford CVH units, front mounted driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox on the 1300 and 1400, and a five-speed gearbox with the 1600. The suspension was independent all round using coil springs with semi trailing arms at the rear. The body panels were made of polyurethane or glass reinforced polyester, fitted to a semi-space frame
Space frame
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports...
backbone chassis. The panels were designed to be easily removed and replaced to repair accident damage. A removable hard top was available as an option.
The SS1 1.6 L had a engine capacity of 1596 cc with a power output of 96 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 133 lbft @ 4000 of torque and could reach 110 mi/h and accelerated to 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds. In 1986, the range was joined by the CA18ET 1809 cc turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
engine from the Nissan Silvia
Nissan Silvia
The S12 was produced from 1984 to 1988, with revisions to the exterior trim in 1987 . It was sold in three configurations—a coupe , a hatchback, and a widebody chassis called grandprix .A number of different engines were equipped in the S12 chassis, depending on production year and more...
. The 1800Ti, as the Nissan-engined version was known, received standard alloy wheels and a small rear spoiler and gave the car a significant performance boost with a power output of 135 bhp @ 6000, 143 lbft of torque which provided for a top speed of 126 mi/h mph and 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds.
This car had unusual uncovered rectangular Porsche 928 style pop-up headlamps
Hidden headlamps
Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps or headlights, are an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not in use...
and shared many components with production cars of the day, such as Austin-Rover switchgear and gauges. It is currently one of the most affordable small sports convertibles on the second hand market, with low running costs and readily available parts. The post 1986 with a galvanised chassis can be identified by a single windscreen wiper.
Scimitar SS2 concept (1988)
The Scimitar SS2 concept carConcept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
was based on the SS1 1800ti, restyled by William Towns
William Towns
William Towns was a British car designer.Towns began his training as a designer at Rootes in 1954, where he was mainly involved in the styling of seats and door handles. Later he was also involved with the styling of their Hillman Hunter. He moved to Rover in 1963 and worked there for David...
. Intended for the United States market and powered by a V8 engine, it was commissioned by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, but planned production of the car was dropped when GM funding was withdrawn.
Scimitar SST (1990–92)
Some of the styling features of the SS2 prototype were incorporated into a facelifted SS1 model, renamed Scimitar SST ("T" for "Towns"). The SST was launched in 1990.The engines were Nissan's CA18ET (1800Ti) producing 135 bhp and Ford's CVH (1400) producing 75 bhp.
Scimitar Sabre (1992–95)
The Scimitar Sabre was the last Scimitar model to be produced, re-using the name from the 1960s Reliant SabreReliant Sabre
The Reliant Sabre and the Reliant Sabre Six were small two-seater sports cars produced by Reliant between 1961 and 1964.-History:Developed in collaboration with the Israeli motor company Autocars, the first Sabres appeared in 1961 as two-door convertibles, front-engined, rear-drive, with...
.
Based on the chassis of the SS1 and SST, it was announced in 1991 and launched in 1992 with the same 1.4 Ford engine and 1.8 Nissan engines as before. A restyle followed in 1993 with the introduction of the new Rover
Rover (car)
The Rover Company is a former British car manufacturing company founded as Starley & Sutton Co. of Coventry in 1878. After developing the template for the modern bicycle with its Rover Safety Bicycle of 1885, the company moved into the automotive industry...
K-series 1.4 L engine, with a top speed of 113 mi/h and acceleration 0-60mpg in 9.4 seconds. The Sabre was visually different with larger 15" wheels and flared wheel arches.