Sylva Leader Progress (Kit Car

[ENWOD]

Just a bit of info about my Sylva Leader, it's an old kit car based on Vauxhall Viva running gear, with a custom chassis and body shell. It's got a 1600 crossflow engine, and a capri 4-speed box. It's a bit of an ugly duckling but it's 'odd' looks have grown on me and I now LOVE it... Besides it's the cheapest, fastest RWD motoring I can get at my age so I can't complain! It's taxed and insured and I have a few bits left to do before it's on the road (if you're in the Essex area and you see me let me know (I'm looking at getting to some Essex meets when it's all sorted.

It was built in 1986 and has about 6k on the clock since an engine and gearbox rebuild; I am the 3rd owner.

[u]Engine[/u]
Ford 1600 711M Block
Bored and fitted with 1300 pistons 10.5:1 Compression
Balanced & lightened bottom end
Lightened flywheel
Stage 3 Cam
Bestek Electronic ignition
Cylinder Head ported with Mexico valves & all steel rocker gear
Four branch Mexico manifold to custom side exit bike can

[u]Fuel[/u]
Twin 40 Dellortos supplied by an electric Jag XJS U fuel pump & Viva fuel tank.

[u]Gearbox[/u]
Rebuilt Capri 1600 GT

[u]Brakes[/u]
Front -New Vauhall Magnum twin pot calipers on 9" disks
Rear - Viva drums

[u]Suspension[/u]
Viva lowered 2" (Perhaps just at the front or all round - I'm not quite sure).


This is a picture of how I found it:



It was originally a non-runner, it's now running (Turned out the ignition coil wasn't getting an ignition live). It now starts on the button

Things I've changed:
- Fitted some nice bucket seats
- Painted the roll-cage
- New harnesses and mounting
- Made a centre console and carpeted it, the boot area and the sides.
- New side exit exhaust
- Fitted some new switches in the centre console.
- Designed and fitted a new grille (may add some sort of logo to it and/or paint it black)


To Do:
- Tidy up wireing loom
- Flush the coolant out (again) and change oil and filter
- Do something with the floor - matting or checkerplate
- I'd like to tidy up the engine bay at some point (paint the engine etc). But this isn't high on the priorities list.
- Lower profile tires on the front as they rub on the bonnet :/

Video of it running (it's running lumpy - one of the spark plugs is a knackered and the fuel is VERY old)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglHly98rz0



Here are some recent pics of it







Hope you like it/let me know what you think

[Another Fluffer]

I think it is brilliant! actually really like the styling, very butch, not many curves just edges

[soad]

Looks like simple raw uncomplicated fun!!!
What bout when it rains though?

[ENWOD]

Thank you both Yeah I think it's the sort of styling that you either love or hate. When it rains... Urm drive faster? ;D Either that or I think I may need to give my mum a call and get her to make a fabric hood for her lovely son, haha.

[Fart Smeller]

Ugly thing but I'm sure it's fun to drive. I'll give you a wave if I see you around Essex

[PaulB81]

Love it!! Good for you for driving something interesting!! I quite like the look of it, quirky but purposeful

[James Dean]

That's what I'd imagine a 2CV would look like after an elephant sat on it.

[Shuttle Cock]

Love it, one these was my first car, a great driving little machine; great to see another.

[Mastodon2]

Love it. Who cares how it looks, it's all about the drive!

[shouldbworking]

That is as ugly as sin

But its cool. Plus, I think its saveable.. round headlights, replace the grill with a more contoured one in a darker colour so it doesnt stand out so much.. brg for the body, yellow for the wings.. jobs a goodun

Loving the minimalist dash atm :P