Topic: Solved - NEH 138: Stevens Cipher

[Carnut]

A nice easy one for a Rookie to earn a point...

[del78]

Reliant Scimitar SS1

[Carnut]

Reliant Scimitar SS1

Now that would be MUCH too easy!
Sorry but no.

[del78]

Reliant/Stevens Cipher

"The Cipher was a wonderful design from Tony Stevens.  It was based on the Reliant Kitten chassis and running gear with the alloy 850cc engine.  It had a top speed of 93 mph, but achieved 44 mpg.   Tony displayed his prototype Cipher at the 1980 motor show, which received good reviews, but it needed a huge investment to produce further cars.  

Tony Stevens took his design to Reliant's manager Ritchie Spencer who agreed to take the design on as a trial.  Reliant built two Reliant Ciphers, but decided that the 850cc engine was too small as they wanted a more powerful roadster, plus the work that had to go into the Cipher was not cost effective for Reliant to continue with the design any further.

Only one of the two Reliant Ciphers still exists, which is in the hands of car enthusiast Thomas Touw from the Netherlands.  Thomas also owns 2 of the 6 Ciphers that Stevens made himself. (Lucky Man!!) "
source: .::link deleted::.

[Carnut]

That's it, of course!

Although Reliant-engined and there was Reliant involvement, as you say, the car was designed by Stevens and is generally know as the Stevens Cipher, not Reliant.

One of motoring's biggest wastes...  look what Reliant themselves went on to try and market (the SS1) which had to be restlyed more than once and still didn't sell...  If only they could have seen the wood for the trees!