PMI Usurper Scud Sabre
The 1969 Scud Sabre was built on a different platform that the 1967 Scud Coupe and Scud Sedan. The name was a direct reference to the Usurper Sabre and Super Sabre from the 50’s. Despite being different from the Scud, it was chosen to keep the Scud name for sales reason and to differentiate from the first generation Sabres.
The most iconic Scub Sabres were the supercharged 390 and 464. Powered by huge high-torque V8s, they were considered iconic muscle cars. The engines produced 285 and 300 horsepower (at the wheels) with the 464 producing a massive 610Nm (450ft.lb) of torque. The top speeds were similar between the two supercharged engines, at around 230kph (143mph). The Smaller 390 actually reached 100kph (61mph) faster, but the 464 managed the quarter mile in 16 seconds, which was over half a second faster than the 390.
Smaller, non-supercharged, engines were available as well, a slower but cheaper and more economical 265 inline six engine with 200 horsepower; and the PMI V8 refurbished old Sabre 305 (5litre) block, producing 228 horsepower. The 305 was in fact the most selling trim, as it at least neared the performance of the 390 but was a cheaper car.
In terms of styling the Scud Sabre - usually just referred to as the Sabre, Sabre Muscle car or Sabre Supercharged for the 390 and 464 - used the popular for the era hidden headlights that popped up by rotating part of the grille. The solid part of the grille contained elements reminiscent of the styling of the first generation Sabre.
