Who has a Sylva Star?

[rich201283]

Just out of curiosity how many other people have sylva stars on here? as there is not much on the internet about them. Dont think there is any up here in the north east.

[Neil]

Hi,
I have a Star, but I live in South Bucks!

[MaRkStar]

Hay

Grand to hear of another two owners!

'Zilspeed' also has one in bonny Scotland which is currently undergoing the transformation to a BEC, and a few others on here have owned them in the past. 'Strikerxe' built one back in the 80's. In the past 5 years I've come across 12 which are in circulation and have pics of 19.

They sure are rare, my brother and I have one each, which has nothing to do with our 30+ years of rivalry . . .

You'll find a pic of mine here http://www.classic-kitcars.com/33/205/205picgallery.htm

And one of my brothers before it's strip down here http://www.classic-kitcars.com/33/209/209picgallery.htm
After 4 years it's still not complete, although getting there about 90% I suppose, I've just finished creating the replacement dashboard.

If interested I have scanned all the known magazine articles on the Star, which I'll gladly email over, PM me your email address and the file limit of your provider and i'll send them through.

I'm in Enfield North London and meet up with the Herts and Beds guys most months in Hitching

Any chance of posting a pic??

Mark

[rich201283]

Hi
I have uploaded some pics of the rebuild
Link: http://s819.photobucket.com/albums/zz11 ... va%20Star/

I bought it last year, It had been sat in a garage for 20yrs in bournemouth, We trailered it back and I Striped the chassis and axles off, cleaned & painted, I removed the 1.5 viva engine & box and have fitted a 2.0 zetec & Type 9 box with Zx9r carbs, Had to change the master cylinder due to it fouling the carbs, This was changed to a fiesta cylinder with a punto remote resiviour.
Aint got her running yet coz still need to get the last part of the inlet manifold welded up.

Still got loads to do, The plan is to finish it over the winter for next year. Im looking for another hood as the original is very ripe and delicate.

Also would like a set of alloys, What alloys have you got on yours Mark, Is the pcd 4inch or have you got some 100mm pcd ones on off a golf or vauxhall?

Nice hearing from some other owners as there does not seem to be many left.

[MaRkStar]

Sure looks like a thorough re-build!

Mine will need a re-build too in the not too distent future, however I'm under orders from my brother that his gets back on the road first, so I'm in keeping it going mode at the moment.

I have toyed with moderising to the Zetec, currently mine has a Fiat 2ltr twin, good engine but long in the tooth today and parts are getting rare and expensive. I have just swapped engines over, the previous one had a severe water leak through the head, and so to save time simply swapped like for like. A Chap called Mark Whiter had a modernnised Star which included a Zetec engine and aluminium side screens, fitted well and ran well too. Not sure where this car is now, it had gone to Holland.

I have no weather gear at the moment either, it had none when I bought it, I have since sourced a pair of side screens and will get a hood made in due time, we have the weather gear for my brothers so will use that as a pattern.

Regarding wheels, my axles are 4inch PCD and would highly recommend at getting 4inch wheels. If you are looking for a set of second hand one's then there are various vehicles with it, this page is helpful http://www.vauxhallviva.com/?page_id=3125. In fact I have joined the Viva owners club. Having said that the alloys currently on mine which were fitted by the previous owner are 100mm which has resulted in the studs being bent inwards. I have new studs in readiness for the new wheels, but don't yet have the funds to purchase a set. If I remember correctly mine are 15x6 with a 25et.

Are you going to change the dashboard too?

Cheers

Mark

[rich201283]

Hi Mark

I have got the original side panels which are in good condition, I was going to use my old roof as a pattern aswell.

I had to change the dash due to using the sierra clocks but i am not happy with it so will make it again when i have got the other bits out the way, Want to get it running and fit a roll bar next.

What size wheels did you have fitted?

[MaRkStar]

Wheel wise

What I have fitted is not what should be fitted. What is fitted are Gotti alloys which are 100mm PCD (needs to be 101.6PCD) 15inch diameter x7J with a 28ET, (the code on the alloys reads 15x7J H2 ET28). the tyres are Kumho ECSTA SPT 205/50. I do get slight rubbing when on full lock. What I plan to do when funds allows is fit a set of 15x7J Compomotives probably the MO range in white. I am no wheel expert so what I will do is to take all the measurements Compomotive suggest and get them to confirm what the spec should be, although the above spec apart from the PCD does seem to work. My brother has 13inch x6J four spoke revolutions made to the 4 inch (101.6mm) PCD, I don't know what offset if any, tyres he has Yoks not too sure which range size 195/70.

Mark

[rich201283]

Hi Mark could you tell me how you mounted the roll bar to your chassis?

[MaRkStar]

I've sent some pics directly to you

@ : + D

[rich201283]

Thanks mark, the car is an early one 1983

Thanks for the pics

Regards Lee