Carisma (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Carisma was a British automotive manufacturer that operated from 1990 to 1996. The company was initially established as Carisma Engineering in Sandy, Bedfordshire, where it focused on producing specialty vehicles. In 1992, the company underwent a change in ownership and was rebranded as Scorhill Motors, based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. By 1993, the name was further modified to Scorhill MotorCo., with operations moving to Chertsey, Surrey.

One of the notable models produced by Carisma was the Century, which the company claimed was not a replica of the SS100 but rather a pastiche with unique proportions. The Century featured a ladder chassis designed to accommodate Ford Cortina mechanical components, a steel bulkhead, a fibreglass main body, and aluminium engine side panels. The model offered an optional four-seat configuration, catering to a broader range of customers.

Despite its innovative approach, Carisma ceased operations in 1992. However, the brand was revived by Scorhill, which continued to produce the Century as a two-seater and introduced the Manhattan as a four-seater variant. The legacy of Carisma reflects the challenges faced by niche automotive manufacturers in the competitive British car market of the early 1990s.