Sylva Leader 400 - what do we know?
Discussion
Hi,
Considering a Sylva Leader 400 purchase, it is running a 2.0 Fiat Twin cam with a reported 140bhp (Twin 40 carbs, potentially some other tweaks)
Its using the Chevette running gear.
Any owners current or past that are able to offer what it's like to own and what to expect performance wise from one of these?
Considering a Sylva Leader 400 purchase, it is running a 2.0 Fiat Twin cam with a reported 140bhp (Twin 40 carbs, potentially some other tweaks)
Its using the Chevette running gear.
Any owners current or past that are able to offer what it's like to own and what to expect performance wise from one of these?
you could try https://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
sign up is here https://jpsc.org.uk/
There are a few rebuilding the Leader at the moment.
I looked at one before I saw the Fury.
sign up is here https://jpsc.org.uk/
There are a few rebuilding the Leader at the moment.
I looked at one before I saw the Fury.
Thanks mate, what was your thoughts having viewed one?
The one that has presented itself represents fairly good value for kitcar money (including MOT and a period registration plate registered as a Sylva Leader with DVLA) which has led me to consider one.
The Fury is a really lovely looking bit of kit though, any pictures?
The one that has presented itself represents fairly good value for kitcar money (including MOT and a period registration plate registered as a Sylva Leader with DVLA) which has led me to consider one.
The Fury is a really lovely looking bit of kit though, any pictures?
I saw it as more of a day car, as in you drive it during a day.
I've taken the Fury on 10 day tours of the Alps and Spain with a few others on here.
The only thing that put me off is that it looks a little dated and i wasn't sure how easy to get spares are for it.
I'm not the type of weld it up owner, I'm more of a CAD it up, send it off for laser cutting and bolt it on type of owner. Lots of research and lots of bolting bits on. I've changed gearboxes, engines, axles and gone from carbs to injection running fuel lines and wires, but the fabrication of the fuel tank i left to others.
The one i saw had a cherry bomb exhaust on it and as soon as he started it up it was very hard to not buy it.
If you want to get your hands dirty and do some light fabrication (if needed) go for it. If you just want adult meccano maybe look else where.
This is all based on my limited knowledge of part availability.
I've taken the Fury on 10 day tours of the Alps and Spain with a few others on here.
The only thing that put me off is that it looks a little dated and i wasn't sure how easy to get spares are for it.
I'm not the type of weld it up owner, I'm more of a CAD it up, send it off for laser cutting and bolt it on type of owner. Lots of research and lots of bolting bits on. I've changed gearboxes, engines, axles and gone from carbs to injection running fuel lines and wires, but the fabrication of the fuel tank i left to others.
The one i saw had a cherry bomb exhaust on it and as soon as he started it up it was very hard to not buy it.
If you want to get your hands dirty and do some light fabrication (if needed) go for it. If you just want adult meccano maybe look else where.
This is all based on my limited knowledge of part availability.
I had a couple in the nineties and early noughties and loved them. As I remember at the time they were just that little bit bigger inside for driver and passenger (though still very snug). I also liked the 50mm wide top chassis rail and welded in metal seat pan which gave me a little bit more confidence should I have had an accident. At 620Kg they were a little heavier than the Caterhams and Westfields but they did seem to sit on the road nicely. I ended up buying the moulds, jigs and production rights and just sat on them for anything I needed for my cars. Myself and Dave Gallop at Track Developments (nr Castle Combe) designed - an independent suspension solution but I bought a Lotus Elise and enjoyed it so much that I pretty much stopped playing with the Leader.
They are great fun cars and I am sure you will enjoy yours!
They are great fun cars and I am sure you will enjoy yours!
leader and star arent compareable to sylva´s famous handling later cars like striker & phoenix.
star&leader are using the standard vauxhall suspension setup with front pressed-steel wishbones and the rear live-axle with standard vauxhall trailing arms.
engine might be the best item on the car, but never trust a rolling-road data-sheet (engine-power) as long as you havent been personally present when it has been done.
star&leader are using the standard vauxhall suspension setup with front pressed-steel wishbones and the rear live-axle with standard vauxhall trailing arms.
engine might be the best item on the car, but never trust a rolling-road data-sheet (engine-power) as long as you havent been personally present when it has been done.
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