Scimitar SS1 Good? Bad? Ugly?

[Stiff]

I went to see an old mate the other day who has too many toys and had one of these for sale. 'Cheap' if I wanted it but I said it's not my kinda thing. Now I'm thinking it might be a bit of fun for work and back in the summer. It's got MOT so it can't be too bad. The red paintwork is faded and the roof looks a little ill fitting but it's 25ish years old. It's never going to be an MX5 competitor but 'cheap' always grabs my attention. I did a bit of research on them and it seems there were only 2000 of them made (SS1) so surely they should only appreciate in value?
What's the good/bad points? Reliability? Handling? MPG? Insurance?
Sorry for all the Q's but I'm sure there are people on here who've had them in the past who can give an honest opinion of ownership. I don't want to end up with something that constantly breaks down, leaks like a sieve or falls apart whilst driving ;D
Pictures as thanks for any welcome info

This is as near as damnit as the one I've been offered.



And some other random Googlings











and a couple of pics borrowed from this very site





And here's a Michelotti one off Ferrari from 1975 which shares a lot of styling cues with the Scimitar.
Hmm

also a little touch of the TVR 350 in there too





One more quick Q... what other wheels would bolt straight on? BMW E30's I've read somewhere.

Hmm I wonder how hard it would be to drop a GC8 lump in there and make it 4WD ;D

[Autofive]

i think it depends what engine / gearbox combination its using

some have a xr3i engine, some a rover k-series

[akku]

some of these have a Nissan Turbo engine which makes them quite fun.

I think they are passed over mostly becaise folk think they look a bit gaeky and the Reliant association doesn't help.

I've come across folks who own them quite besotted with them so they must do something well.


4x100mm AFAIK but no idea on centrebore and offset

[BenzBoy]

I love the idea of a CA18DET powered plastic car! I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the SS1, maybe because they're a little bit unloved.

[akku]

You and your low volume plastic sports cars...

[BenzBoy]

Jun 26, 2011 20:08:51 GMT akku said:

You and your low volume plastic sports cars...

Hahaha! Yeah I think I'm turning into one of those weird chaps who go for such vehicles!

[Stiff]

Cheers for the info guys. It's a 1.6 XR2/3? engine, MG Metro interior.
The 1.8 turbo lump is very appealing and apparently there were plans for a Rover V8 lump for the U.S. market but it was never produced. Shame. I still can't get the Subaru turbo lump out of my head and some kind of wide arch affair but then the whole idea of 'cheap' would be blown out of the water.

[CIH]

TBH, and I like to be as left-field as possibile, but I can't imagine why anyone would choose one over an mX5

[austinpowers]

Jun 26, 2011 20:54:05 GMT CIH said:

TBH, and I like to be as left-field as possibile, but I can't imagine why anyone would choose one over an mX5

I can, rust!

[Stiff]

Jun 26, 2011 20:54:05 GMT CIH said:

TBH, and I like to be as left-field as possibile, but I can't imagine why anyone would choose one over an mX5

Cost. I reckon I could get it for less than £500

[Rob M]

Your best bet is to go onto the Scimweb forum, the people there know all there is to know and there are a few owners with modified ones. Its a marmite car, isnt it, personally, Id like one if i get rid of my Scimitar , bags of potential. Pre galvanised chassis models can rot horrendously, the Nissan powered ones are very quick, the CVH ones are fast enough to have fun and IIRC the 1.4 is a Ford lump to and no real fun....
Apparently, they handle very well and can be a lot of fun.
£500 with a ticket is silly money IMHO, you cant really go wrong, i reckon you could rag it, enjoy it and if you break it you can sell mucho parts from it and make money back.
Cheap as chips, go for it.

[nutter81]

i passed on of these today in my van and thought WTF was that in a good way i think they are great looking cars i guess you either like em or not
i have alway been of the thought if you like it then who cares what anyone else thinks
and possible nissan power to boot got to be worth a punt

[Rob M]

Jun 26, 2011 20:54:05 GMT CIH said:

TBH, and I like to be as left-field as possibile, but I can't imagine why anyone would choose one over an mX5

Anybody can get an MX5, loads for sale and you see them everywhere. It will do everything you want, probably never go wrong and will run like a Swiss watch.
If thats your bag, thats fine, if you fancy something a bit different, something with a bit of an edge, something that doesnt look like somebody designed it after they nicked the blueprints for the Elan then you wont go wrong with an SS1. It will be typical of Reliant, it will frustrate you, annoy you, make you get the spanners out and question your sanity. It will also put a fuggin big grin on your face and will make you stand out from all the other chod out there ;D
Whether "standing out" in an SS1 is a good or bad thing will depend if you like Marmite or not.

[akku]

So long as it's not White, they look like an unpainted model kit in White LOL

[mortcars]

i say go for it!

cheap, differnt, 2 seater looks fun!

is it fwd or rwd ?

[akku]

RWD.

here's one naked

[joem83]

Jun 27, 2011 12:31:27 GMT akku said:

RWD.

here's one naked

Hmm wonder what other shell's would fit over that!

[akku]

We think alike but I guess if you pull any of that upper frame it no longer counts as an unmodified chassis

[Stiff]

A couple of dodgy phone pics of said car. I'm gonna pop and see him tomorrow and if he'll hold it for a couple of weeks I'm gonna have a bash at it. Like Zeb says, I can't really go wrong at that price.





I'm intrigued by the nakedness (then again I always am) Could be interesting to have a play around with that. Hmm.

[mdh]

If you change our mind, I'll have it!