Sylva Star Bodywork

[Stevenbobs]

Hi all,

First post so please be gentle.

I've read that Star bodywork is pretty hard to come by. Has anyone attempted to wrap a Star in Locost/7 Style bodywork? Is this even possible? The chassis looks to be of a similar overall shape..

[jenkinscomp]

Hello Steven,
I have never seen or heard of anyone turning a Star into a 7 type shape, have you looked for Leader bodywork though?
More of them were made than Stars I think so if I am right you might have more luck finding some panels.
It would be a much easier fit as they are practically the same.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/131809

[MaRkStar]

Hi Steven

Welcome to the forum!

An obvious question, but do you have a Star, or parts of a Star?

My brother and I have one each so would be interested to know which one you have if so.

Spare bodywork is as rare of hens teeth as the moulds were cut up some years back which I understand was part of the deal when the production rights were sold on - although don't quote me on that. The later Star's used the Leader bonnet anyway.

If you're quick, check out eBay item 171205273941 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171205273941?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
It's nothing to do with me, and looks a little ropey, but might be of interest.

I have come across a Sylva Leader that for a while sported a 7-type bonnet



There have also been numerous other mods that I've come across, some below

Mark

[Stevenbobs]

I have a whole Star,but the body's pretty shot. I bought it as a non runner (no engine) although it was stated on the V5 as having a 2300cc motor. I have a bored and stroked redtop pushing 245BHP that I'm hoping will just drop in, but the body has me stumped. I've a pal that has spare 7 type bodywork and when looking at it, it's a good deal lighter than my Star body. The Star bodywork is much thicker. That's what had me leaning towards a conversion..

By the by.. That last picture with Q817 GEL.. Is it legal to have that much rubber outside the bodywork?

[jeffw]

No it isn't.....

[MaRkStar]

Any chance of some pics of your Star as is?
I have a small collection of pictures of Sylva Stars and Leaders so for a record as they say . . .
Below is a pic of mine, it too was a non-runner, it also had registration issues which took 6 months to resolve with the DVLA.
I've swapped the engine, uprated the front suspension, replaced the prop, had the bonnet rebuilt and resprayed as the bulge was ripping off.
The current aim is to keep it on the road for a couple more years and then strip and rebuild from the chassis up.
Just rebuilt my garage which was the first stage of the project - not the one in the pic I hasten to add
The 2300 would almost certainly be a Vauxhall engine from a Magnum etc.
Be interested to see what you do with it, so Keep us posted
Below is another pic of a Star that a mate in Scotland had, he toyed with the idea of 7-type bodywork, but the project was mothballed.
In theory it should be possible because IIRC the early strikers had a chassis based on the similar Leader chassis although I have not seen the rear tub swapped over only the front
Mark

[Stevenbobs]

Hi MaRkStar,

That picture with the white front looks like striker bodywork? I did think of that, but the westfield/7 style rear is bigger than the striker and may be easier to fit. I suspected that the 2300 stated on the V5 was either Magnum, or an older Victor VX2300 motor, but like I said, it (and the gearbox) are long gone.

I've a mate that used to run a 2300 single cam in a chevette. It was seriously modified, run on twin 48dcoe carbs and would spin up the rear tyres pulling away in 3rd gear!!

I don't have pictures of the star at the moment but will try to sort some out soon.

[MaRkStar]

I have an old bonnet from a striker which you are welcome to have if you can pick it up, it's in Crowborough, or I can get it to Rochester.
It's the older single piece version, used condition and will need the various cracks ground out and re-filled etc.
Mark

[Stevenbobs]

Thanks anyway MaRkStar but I'm up in Aberdeen. I've been looking at the MK Sportscars website and I can get a full body for around £1k, but can buy it in sections. I may go down that road. It'd be nice to have it look like a new motor.

I know it means it's not going to look like a Star, but my concern is that I may wait around for years to get replacement panels via ebay and may end up with crap anyway.

[jenkinscomp]

I have a whole Star,but the body's pretty shot. I bought it as a non runner (no engine) although it was stated on the V5 as having a 2300cc motor. I have a bored and stroked redtop pushing 245BHP that I'm hoping will just drop in, but the body has me stumped. I've a pal that has spare 7 type bodywork and when looking at it, it's a good deal lighter than my Star body. The Star bodywork is much thicker. That's what had me leaning towards a conversion..

By the by.. That last picture with Q817 GEL.. Is it legal to have that much rubber outside the bodywork?

I dropped a red top into my old Leader once upon a time to replace an old X Flow I blew up, it did fit but a large scoop was required to clear the extra height of the engine, and there was a lot of axle tramp even with about 180bhp as the Star/Leader were originally designed for 1300cc viva engines with 155 section tyres and 80bhp! I seem to remember the gearbox bellhousing being a tight squeeze too. The much heavier red top engine did also spoil the lovely handling balance of the Leader with X Flow somewhat.
In the end I took the engine out and put it into my Fury with a 5 link panhard rod rear and alot of extra bracing...



Don't let me put you off though, 245bhp should go rather well though if you do manage to shoe horn it in!!