Reliant Scimitar SS1

Vehicle Overview

The Reliant Scimitar SS1 holds a special place in automotive history as the final design project of the legendary Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. Michelotti, renowned for his work with brands like Ferrari, BMW, and Triumph, embarked on the SS1 project in the summer of 1979. Unfortunately, he fell ill during this time and was unable to continue working on the design. His illness persisted until January 1980, when he passed away, leaving behind the last sketches of what would become the Reliant Scimitar SS1. Despite Michelotti’s inability to see the project through to completion, his dedicated team of collaborators at his beloved company took up the task of finalizing the design. While the finished product may not have been exactly what Michelotti envisioned, it remained true to the spirit of his work. The Reliant Scimitar SS1 was intended to fill a niche in the market for small, affordable sports cars, and it carried the distinctive flair that had become synonymous with Michelotti’s name. The car was officially launched in 1984 at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham, marking the debut of Michelotti’s last design. The name “SS1” reportedly stood for “Small Sports 1,” a fitting moniker for a car that aimed to provide an accessible yet stylish sports car experience. The SS1 featured a sharp, angular design with pop-up headlights, a feature that was popular in sports cars of the era. However, despite its promising debut and the initial ambition to produce 2,000 units per year, the SS1 struggled in the market. Over its ten-year production run, only 1,507 units were built. In 1990, the SS1 received a facelift and was renamed the Scimitar SST. Two years later, it was re-launched as the Scimitar Sabre, but by 1995, with the collapse of Reliant, production came to an end, and the Sabre was discontinued. The Reliant Scimitar SS1, while not a commercial success, remains a significant chapter in automotive history. It stands as the last testament to Giovanni Michelotti’s remarkable career and his enduring influence on car design.