Reliant Scimitar SS

Reliant Scimitar SS
Production period:	1984-1995
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Cabriolet
Previous model:	Saber

The Reliant Scimitar SS was a two-seater convertible of the British car manufacturer Reliant that the Combi Coupé Scimitar GTE replaced. The vehicle was produced in several series with different additional names.

Scimitar SS1 (1984–1990)

Scimitar SS1
Reliant Scimitar SS1 1300 (1988)
Production period:	1984-1990
Body versions :	Cabriolet
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.3-1.8 liters
Length:	3886 mm
Width:	1582 mm
Height:	1240 mm
Wheelbase :	2133 mm
Empty weight :	838 kg

In order to fill a gap in the market for small sports car, brought Reliant in 1984 by Michelotti drawn Scimitar SS1 out. Ford supplied the engines, in-line four-cylinder engines with 1.3 or 1.6 liter displacement of the CVH series . Later came the 1.4-liter CVH engine from Ford with 75DIN-PS (or 73DIN-PS with catalyst) and a 1.8 liter turbo from Nissan with 135PS (or 122 DIN-PS with catalyst). The engines installed in the front drove the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, only the 1.3-liter engine had a four-speed gearbox. All wheels were individually suspended, the front of double wishbones , behind drawn wings . The central tube of the chassis was inspired by that of the Lotus Elan , but connected to a body frame made of steel tubes. The non-load-bearing body panels consisted partly of polyurethane and partly of GRP . They could easily be removed and replaced in the event of an accident. There was a removable hard top .

These cars had open pop-up headlights, like the Lamborghini Miura or the Porsche 928 , and contained many parts of contemporary mass-produced vehicles. These open two-seaters can now be found cheaply on the used car market. Cars manufactured after 1986, recognizable by their individual windshield wipers, have a galvanized chassis, but rarely sell for more than £ 2,000.

Scimitar SS2 (1988)

The Scimitar SS2 was a concept vehicle based on the Scimitar SS1 1800i designed by William Towns . It was intended for the US market and equipped with a V8 engine. General Motors showed an interest in it, but plans for series production were abandoned when GM withdrew its financial support.

Scimitar SST (1990-1992)

Some styling details of the SS2 were integrated into the Scimitar SST (T = Towns), which was a renewed SS1. The SST was published in 1990.

Scimitar Saber (1992–1995)

Scimitar Saber
Image does not exist
Production period:	1992-1995
Body versions :	Cabriolet
Engines:	Otto engine : 1.4 liters
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :

The Scimitar Saber was the last series Scimitar. It was based on the chassis of the SS1 and the SST, was announced in 1991, released in 1992 and revised in 1993. The four-cylinder in-line engine of the K-series with 1.4 l displacement and 103PS from Rover made it the second fastest Reliant ever produced, only the SS1 1800Ti was faster. It was also available with the 2.0l-16V engine and 135PS, also from Rover. Production ended with the takeover of Reliant in 1995.

Web links

• private website with an in-depth look at the history of British cars including the Scimitar SS

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Baldon, Stuart: Observer's Book of Automobiles , Warne, Harmondsworth (1985), ISBN 0-7232-1675-4 .
2. ↑ Prototypes at Sporting-reliants.com (English)
3. ↑ Reliant Sports Cars Index at Sporting-reliants.com (English)