Sylva J15

[Lordbenny]

Sold my MGB roadster, gawd know why I bought it, just wanted to dip my toes into classic cars and they’re not really my bag! Not ready for tartan rugs, thermos flasks and beardy gatherings....not to mention the fact that it was unbelievably slow! Still I made a few quid on it in the 1 1/2 years I had it....So...bought this instead!

[covmutley]

Nice! I'm assuming this was the one on ebay recently?

Judging from the interior photos particularly, it looked a quality build. And a decent price!

[Lordbenny]

covmutley said:

Nice! I'm assuming this was the one on ebay recently?

Judging from the interior photos particularly, it looked a quality build. And a decent price!

You’re right...incredible build quality, fully documented too and Yep, I got it at a great price!

[Lordbenny]

No more stripes....I much prefer it without

[Driver101]

That looks good. Got more pictures of the build?

[Lordbenny]

Driver101 said:

That looks good. Got more pictures of the build?

You asked for it!!!

One of the most comprehensive build blogs I’ve seen...so lucky to be the owner of this car with history like this....

http://paulsj15.blogspot.com/2012/09/it-starts.htm...

[Lordbenny]

Can I have your thoughts on......orange lipstick?

Please forgive my photoshop skills!

[Lordbenny]

Changed wing mirrors to these scooter ones (bottom pic) ...£5 EBay!!! Bargain
Reason? They are much more stable and don’t move when pushing on! I also prefer the more modern and speaker look.

Edited by Lordbenny on Monday 8th March 19:53

[HarryD]

Evidently my Photoshop skills leave something to be desired but I think it’s somewhat clear what I would do.



Inspired by the following:

[EggsBenedict]

Lordbenny said:

Can I have your thoughts on......orange lipstick?

Please forgive my photoshop skills!

Don't do it. I did the same on my TVR Chimaera. If I did the same again, I'd do the orange nose and a stripe going over the car. Comments: 'looks like a tart/clown/guppy'.

http://www.the-advantage.org/2011/02/ <- few ideas here. Scroll down a bit for the orange

[Lordbenny]

Been a while since I posted.....quick update...

Added some stickers, I’m sure not for everybody but I kinda think they give the car a big of a racey, 60’s feel. I can peel them off at any time if I decided I don’t like them.
Changed the wing mirrors again for a pair more suited to the race car feel. These ones are staying. I’ve seen a few Caterham owners with the same ones....they cost me £3:50!
Ive added a pair of head rests which look great and really work, after a spirited drive you can actually ‘rest’ your head against them while your neck muscles recover!

Done some more miles it it now and I flippin’ love it. I feel so much more involved and protected than in the sevens I have owned. I think it’s something to do with the covered front wheels and extra side protection. The induction roar from the ITBs is so infectious and the exhaust makes just the rights amount of noise, pops and bangs without it sounding like a re-mapped Fiesta ST!

This one will be with me for some I hope...

Edited by Lordbenny on Sunday 10th October 09:43

[Rocket.]

Cool car OP, always like the look of these and certainly not something you see very often. Keep the updates coming.

[Ansoeb]

Hello, Love the car. I became an avid fan when reading the blog of the original builder Paul Jenkins and saw if feature in Complete kit car. The style and proportions hark back to the 60s for me. Shame I wont get the chance to build one with Sylva not making them anymore. Should you ever come to deciding to sell this beauty please contact me and we can start a dialogue

Cheers
Andy

[Lordbenny]

Not often you see two J15’s together….at Ockham, Black Swan meet I invited a new owner along (I actually put seller and buyer together a couple of weeks ago) and we parked together. Both cars got a LOT of interest.

[Lordbenny]

Still got it and I still think it’s, without doubt, the most fun you can have on British roads. I drive performance cars for a living and nothing comes even close to the thrill of driving this car…

[bencollins4]

Glad you’re still enjoying it Andy! One of the most fun and intense passenger experiences I have had, riding in this! And what a noise it makes!

Hopefully catch up again soon.

[Lordbenny]

bencollins4 said:

Glad you’re still enjoying it Andy! One of the most fun and intense passenger experiences I have had, riding in this! And what a noise it makes!

Hopefully catch up again soon.

Hey Ben, not got the Zenos anymore? Is the Propulsion group still going?

Would love to catch up.

[Mr Tidy]

That looks great.

In a way it reminds me of the Fisher Fury someone else on here has.

I often go to the Black Swan but somehow missed the July one - hopefully you'll be there another time.

[bencollins4]

Lordbenny said:

Hey Ben, not got the Zenos anymore? Is the Propulsion group still going?

Would love to catch up.

Hi Andy, yes, still got the Zenos, Yaris and Elise. The Zenos adventures can be found in my ‘Readers Cars’ thread which was updated yesterday. Snetterton on Monday!

Propulsion is still going but I think everyone has had a busy summer as I haven’t seen too many events since the Masters at Brands in May, but that might just be me!

Be great to catch up soon!