Reliant Scimitar SS1
25th Anniversary
1984 - 2009

Brief History 

Reliant saw a gap in the market and set out to build a low budget open top sports car to follow in the footsteps of the MG Midget and the Triumph Spitfire.

In late 1979 Giovanni Michelotti designed the body, but sadly died of cancer at the age of 59 in 1980 before the clay model was finished.  The model was finished off by his chief stylist Tateo Ushida.  After a few setbacks the SS1 project was taken on by Ed Osmond.  By 1982 Reliant had built a full scale model and by the end of the year they had built a prototype.  Reliant really pushed the boundaries in designing the SS1.  The complex chassis design was optimised using computer software and rather than build a one-piece self supporting shell out of fibreglass, as they had done on all the previous Scimitars, they decided that the majority of the panels were to be made from 4 different methods of plastic moulding, so each section could be bolted individually to the chassis frame.

The new SS1 was launched at the 1984 Motorshow in Birmingham.  There was a choice of two models a 1300cc with 4 speed gearbox or 1600cc with a 5 speed gearbox (a 1400cc CVH was also available at a later date).  

Above: Pre-launch Press Photographs from June 1984 

While early press reports of the new SS1's handling were positive, the jury was still out on it's styling. 

Even though the SS1 was not originally built as a high speed sports car Reliant had done such a good job with that the chassis, that they knew it could handle more power.  Early reports by Managing Director Ritchie Spencer hinted that there was going to be a V6 2.8i version at a later date but this idea was dropped (although they did fit a V6 2.8 engine to an SS1 in development).

By the summer of 1986 there was a new, more powerful engine fitted, a 1.8 litre fuel injected Nissan CA18ET with Garret T2 turbocharger.  This injected some much needed zest into the car. The SS1 name was dropped and was now badged as the Scimitar 1800Ti. Although the basic body wasn't changed, Reliant added a few features to tell the standard SS1 and the 1800Ti apart.  The 1800Ti was fitted with KN alloy diamond spoked wheels and had a black rubber boot spoiler.  A roll-over bar was optional.

Above: Tony Lowe's immaculate Scimitar 1800Ti.

The Nissan engine was considerably sweeter in sound than the Ford engine, but it was the performance that excited motoring journalists.  Reliant claimed the 1800Ti had a top speed of 128 mph and did 0-60 in 7 seconds. When journalists took the cars out for road tests, they achieved 130 mph and did 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds.  The fastest 1/4 mile was done in 15.1 seconds.

The SS1/1800Ti's have become very popular and the 1800Ti are quite desirable. The Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners Club have their own Speed Championship and compete in many sprint and hillclimbs.  A number of SS1's compete in this series and do very well against other cars.  One particular modified SS1 gets faster and faster every season and can certainly embarrass some Ferraris on the track!

Above: Craig Hughes's awesome Scimitar 1800Ti.

So finally the Scimitar SS1 has come of age.  Even to this day it's styling causes controversy, it's what I like to call the "Marmite Effect"... You either love it or hate it.

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The Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners Club (RSSOC) will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the SS1 at their "Sporting Weekend" at Curborough on August 15th and 16th, so why not bring your Scimitar SS1 and join in the celebrations.  Everyone is welcome, member or non-member.