Stiff
Posted a lot
'kin 'ell
Posts: 3,021
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 19:08:40 GMT
|
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 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 19:59:34 GMT
|
|
i think it depends what engine / gearbox combination its using
some have a xr3i engine, some a rover k-series
|
| |
Someone just shot the elephant in the room. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:00:53 GMT
|
|
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
|
| |
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:07:46 GMT
|
|
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.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:08:51 GMT
|
You and your low volume plastic sports cars...  |
| |
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:10:21 GMT
|
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
Posted a lot
'kin 'ell
Posts: 3,021
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:50:32 GMT
|
|
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
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,466
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 20:54:05 GMT
|
|
TBH, and I like to be as left-field as possibile, but I can't imagine why anyone would choose one over an mX5
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 21:25:26 GMT
|
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! |
| |
1955 Austin A30
1981 Jawa Mustang
1990 Trabant 601 (Tommy)
1989 Trabant 601
2009 Jaguar XF
2012 Toyota AYGO
2018 Scomadi TL
|
|
Stiff
Posted a lot
'kin 'ell
Posts: 3,021
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 21:26:44 GMT
|
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
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 22:11:01 GMT
|
|
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
Part of things
I joined facebook so i could talk to the missus
Posts: 928
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 22:17:08 GMT
|
|
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
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
|
|
Jun 26, 2011 22:18:38 GMT
|
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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So long as it's not White, they look like an unpainted model kit in White LOL
|
| |
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i say go for it!
cheap, differnt, 2 seater looks fun!
is it fwd or rwd ?
|
| |
'90 Audi B3 Coupe 2.3 Auto [gone]
'92 Audi S4 Avant 2.2 AAN Turbo Auto [gone]
'93 Audi 80 Avant 1.9TDi [gone]
'96 Audi A4 Avant 2.6 Quattro [gone]
'97 VW T4 1.9td LWB [gone]
'03 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi [gone]
'05 VW T5 Shuttle LWB 1.9TDi
'15 VW Caddy Maxi Kombi 1.6TDi
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 2011 12:31:27 GMT
|
RWD. here's one naked  |
| |
Last Edit: Jun 27, 2011 12:32:09 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 2011 14:05:18 GMT
|
RWD. here's one naked Hmm wonder what other shell's would fit over that! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 2011 15:53:28 GMT
|
|
We think alike but I guess if you pull any of that upper frame it no longer counts as an unmodified chassis
|
| |
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
|
|
Stiff
Posted a lot
'kin 'ell
Posts: 3,021
|
|
Jun 27, 2011 18:18:36 GMT
|
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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 2011 18:27:21 GMT
|
|
If you change our mind, I'll have it!
|
| |
Koos
|
|
|
|
