having a single windscreen wiper. Scimitar SS2 concept (1988) The Scimitar SS2 concept car was based on the SS1 1800ti, restyled by William Towns. Intended for the United States market and powered by a V8 engine, it was commissioned by General Motors, but planned production of the car was dropped when GM funding was withdrawn. Scimitar SST (1990–1992) Some of the styling features of the SS2 prototype were incorporated into a facelifted SS1 model, renamed Scimitar SST ("T" for "Towns"). The SST was launched in 1990. More than a mere facelift, the new body was also of a very different construction. The SS1's bodypanels were mounted on a steel framework, itself mounted to the chassis, while the SST's body was of a "semi-monocoque" design fixed directly to the chassis. The bodywork, consisting of two large pieces (front and rear), thus did not suffer the unsightly panel gaps that were so characteristic of the SS1. The engines were Nissan's CA18ET (1800Ti) producing and Ford's CVH (1400) producing . The only transmission available was a five-speed manual unit. Scimitar Sabre (1992–1995) The Scimitar Sabre was the last Scimitar model to be produced, re-using the name from the 1960s Reliant Sabre. Based on the chassis of the SS1 and SST, it was announced in October 1991 and launched in 1992 with the same 1.4 Ford engine and 1.8 Nissan engines as before. A restyle followed in 1993 with the introduction of the new Rover K-series 1.4 L engine, with a top speed of and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.4 seconds. The Sabre was visually different with larger 15 inch wheels and flared wheel arches. In popular culture In the video for The Pretenders song Don't Get Me Wrong, Chrissie Hynde drives an SS1 in an homage to the British 1960s TV spy series The Avengers. References External links "Double-edged Sword": the development of the Scimitar SS1 Sports cars Scimitar SS1 Cars introduced in 1984 1990s cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Cars discontinued in 1995