New Sylva Leader owner.

[Bill_Langworthy]

Hello,
I brought a Sylva Leader A few month ago off ebay.
It was registered in 1989 then sold a few months later and as far as i know, put in a shed and forgotten about for 20 years.
someone had a go at getting it running several years ago but never got it back on the road. it then sat until i brought it last year.
I've been slowly working towards getting it going again. its all there but obviously being sat has not done it much good.
I've managed to get it running again after reseating the valves, replaced the carbs, etc... the only mechanical experience i have
comes from working on my other kit car, a Jago Geep. so im learning as i go.


Ideally what i'd like to do is get it back on the road with as little work possible, drive it for a few months and then think about
re building it a bit more thoroughly which is what i did with the Jago.
The main thing I am unsure about is the condition of the bushes, mainly on the upper wishbones. they are visibly cracked and generally look rough
but there is no play in them so could anyone advise me on whether or not they would fail the mot? I wouldn't expect them to last long as they are
but as i said id like to drive it for a few months before doing anything major, then if im happy with it would replace them all with polly bushes.

I'll attach a photo of the bushes in case that helps?





Any advice on this would be much appreciated, theirs lots more to be done on the car but this is the only thing im worried could be a problem come mot time.
not a big deal i know but if they do need to be done id rather do the hole lot in one go and give everything a good clean and paint etc, in the process. if that makes sence?

thanks in advance, i'll try and post some more photos and stuff of the car soon.

Cheers,
Bill.

[RobMsport]

I think those would fail an mot regardless of there being no play in them

[peter030371]

I am not sure I would be happy driving a car with that much corrosion underneath MOT or no MOT

[RobMsport]

I am not sure I would be happy driving a car with that much corrosion underneath MOT or no MOT

+ 1 but didn't want to ' rub it in '

[jeffw]

When you say no play....does the suspension actually work at all?

[Bill_Langworthy]

Thanks for the replies, it was wishful thinking really that someone might say "yeah looks fine to me" haha
the suspension does work but the more i look at it now the more the bushes seem to crumble away.
Not to worry anyway, it was obvious when i brought it they'd have to be done sometime, was just hoping to put a few miles on it first.

i've given the more easy to reach areas of the running gear a good wire bushing and apart from a good layer of surface rust it seems solid.
as far as i can fined a full set of pollybushes would be around £400 (front and rear) does that sound reasonable?
Its Vauxhall Viva HB as far a I can tell.
Please bear in mined I dont know what im talking about so let me know if im talking a load of s**t!

some before and after pictures of what ive done so far;

[peter030371]

What you have done looks good....with the sun shinning it can be tempting to rush it onto the road but better safe than sorry with something like the suspension

[Bill_Langworthy]

Thanks, it'll get done eventually. I have too many unfinished projects that need attention before i get on with the leader really but hopefully i'll fined a bit of time every so often.