Above: 1800ti fitted with optional hard top

Reliant couldn't do a great deal with the design of the SS1.  They added a galvanised chassis, alloy wheels and a boot spoiler, but the biggest achievement was made by adopting a little bit more power in the shape of the Nissan Silvia's 1800cc Turbo engine.  This engine made the little SS1 into a very fast road car.  It had a top speed of 126 MPH and did 0 to 60 in less than 7 seconds.  However with the new power plant, this obviously pushed up the price to £10,300 (though, still £1000 cheaper than the Toyota MR2).  Sales of the 1800ti did increase, but were never what Reliant expected.