Scimitar

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dillosk8ter
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Scimitar

Post by dillosk8ter »

Just been looking at prices for the 80's Scimitar SS1 and they seem temptingly low. Thought it would be cool to 'treat' myself to convertable sports car, read that they are great fun to drive, aesthtically challenged also very reliable or the exact opposite. Anyone got opinons/experience?
jeremy
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Post by jeremy »

I've always thought they looked as though they would be quite fun - shame about the shape and that excessively tall screen.
I don't know how the chassis withstands rust, but at least the bodywork is fibreglass.
Performance is adequate and probably a fun car on a sunny day.
jeremy
dnsey
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Post by dnsey »

I did watch an owner trying to fill up with petrol once. He had to shake the car every few seconds in order to get anything into the tank without it 'splashing back'. Took him ages!
James.UK
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Post by James.UK »

I bought lots of those in the past, super car to drive! In those days the Triumph Stag had to be auto, and the Scimitar manual in order to sell quickly, though that may well have changed now.. Personaly I prefer the Auto version of both..
My fastest trip time Manchester to B/mouth was done in a Scimitar, 250 miles in just over 3 hours! (1980ish) I only bought sports and executive cars, and made well over 400 trips in cars ranging from Rolls to MG roadsters.. Having said that, road and traffic conditions played a major part in journey times..
If memory serves, the car is based on the old ford transit 3litre van with a fibreglass body plonked on it.. [:o)]
They are good on fuel, look great, pretty reliable, and a lot of fun to drive, I would like one, but wont part with my ZX.. [:I] [^]
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bxbodger
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Post by bxbodger »

JamesUK I think you're talking about the wrong Scimitar- are you talking about the Ford V6 based hatch? I think dillosk8ter is talking about the ugly (sorry...) BL based kit car 2 seater one with the Rover K series.
James.UK
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Post by James.UK »

Hi bxbodger.. ooops! Yes I was talking about the Reliant Scimitar V6.. [:0] Sorry.. [:I]
VisaGTi16v
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Post by VisaGTi16v »

gah yuck I thought me meant the reliant one as well, ive seen a few sprinting as theres an owners club, the old v6 ones sound nice. Who would want one of those other scimitars! :) Get an old mk1 mr2 t-bar or something, they are cheap and probably infinetly more reliable being japanese
dillosk8ter
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Post by dillosk8ter »

I'd forgotten about the original MR2, worth lookin into.
turbolag
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Post by turbolag »

The SS1 was Escort based, but I think there were some K series engined 1400s that were quicker than the 1600i CVH powered ones. Get the turbo, if you can find one - A 135 BHP shower tray is a bundle of larfs!
Stuart McB
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Post by Stuart McB »

Be careful of the real early SS1's the 1.4's don't like unleaded. As for the Nissan powerd 1.8 check your insuramce first as it won't be cheap. I've looked at these little Scimatars loads of times but have never committed. Get yourself a big Ford Essex or Kent V6 in the front of a GTE or SE6. You'll save money on spares but the fuel may be a little on the heavey side.
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