Nope, it’s not an Edsel, nor is it a Lincoln, Ford, or even anything familiar, instead, this is the 1959 Scimitar 2-Door Hardtop Convertible, a one-of-a-kind car in a series of 3 total cars built by Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co. of Stuttgart, designed by American industrial designer, Brooks Stevens and commissioned by the Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, which formed from the Olin Industries and Mathieson Chemical merger in 1954. Ruetter was first founded in 1906 as Reutter Carosserie-Werke by Wilhelm and Albert Reutter, and together, alongside Brooks Stevens Design, the group brought to life three interesting and unique cars in 1959, the Scimitar Town Car Phaeton, the Scimitar 2-Door Hardtop Convertible (shown here), and the Scimitar All-Purpose/Station Sedan. Under the financing of Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation (Olin Aluminum), and the car’s construction makes significant use of the lightweight alloys, contributing to both its performance and distinctive appearance. Surfaces with a silvery sheen are in fact crafted from brushed and anodized aluminum, giving the body a sleek, modern finish. Its name draws inspiration from the iconic curve of a Scimitar blade, echoed in the flowing line that rises elegantly from the base of the front wheel arch to the crest of the rear haunch. All three of the unique project cars were built upon a Chrysler New Yorker chassis, and the two-door hardtop convertible example shown here featured a roof that would retract automatically into the luggage area. The trio of Scimitar models made their debut at the prestigious 1959 Geneva Auto Show, where they attracted considerable attention from enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Following this initial unveiling, the cars were later presented at the 1961 International Automobile Show in New York, further expanding their global exposure and reinforcing their presence on the international automotive stage.
How many made? A series of 3, each being one-of-a-kind
Engine: 413 CID V8
Debut: 1959 Geneva Auto Show
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @fuldamobil
Research: @rarecarsonly
1959 Scimitar 2-Door Hardtop Convertible
25.03.2025
Reutter