Sylva Riot:CKC Guide 2009
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Sylva Riot
THE SYLVA MARQUE has built a fantastic reputation since 1982 for cars with excellent handling and high performance. Many of MD and designer Jeremy Phillips’ cars have proven themselves on the race track, and the currrent Sylva Riot and J15 models benefit from years of experience. The Riot has been on the market since 2004 but, late in 2011, it benefitted from a raft of improvements. Chief among them is an increase in cockpit space, but there has been a host of detail developments, too. Uprights are all new, the method of mounting the engine has been improved, the gearchange mechanism has been improved... and so the list goes on. What hasn’t changed is the Riot’s immense sense of fun. Even with a car engine on board, it weighs less than 500kg. With bike power, it’s lighter still. That results in startling performance even with modest power. Consequently, the Riot is light on all consumables, from fuel to tyres and brakes. High performance is very affordable in this package! As standard, performance comes from either a Ford Sigma engine (1.4 to 1.7-litre) or Yamaha R1, although many other units can be accommodated. Under the skin (a mix of GRP and aluminium) is a spaceframe chassis that uses double wishbone suspension at the rear and inboard dampers at the front which are operated by lower wishbones and top rocking arms. The Riot’s sister model, the J15, first appeared in 2009. Beneath the curvy ’60s styling lurks the Riot’s chassis, meaning it handles and performs just as well as its highly acclaimed stablemate. As well as being achingly pretty, it comes with aerodynamic benefits.
SPECIFICATION CHASSIS: Spaceframe with integral roll-over bar. BODYWORK: Riot – All GRP in self-coloured gelcoat with the exception of the aluminium side panels. J15 – All GRP in self-coloured gelcoat. DONOR CAR: Ford Fiesta Mk4. ENGINE OPTIONS: Yamaha R1, Ford Sigma, Rover K-series – almost any fourcylinder car or motorcycle engine will fit. SUSPENSION: Front – Inboard coil-over dampers, top rocking arms, forged uprights. Rear – Double wishbones, coil-over dampers, fabricated uprights. STEERING: Ford Escort rack, Ford Fiesta column. BRAKES: Discs all-round. KIT PRICE: Riot – Chassis Kit £3200, Body Kit £636. J15 – Chassis Kit £3721, Body Kit £1833. Prices include VAT. BUDGET BUILD COST: J15 – From £10,000. Riot – From £8000.
SUMMARY – Sylva has an enviable reputation for fine handling sports cars, and cars like the highly capable Riot and its J15 sister car are the reason. Few sports cars have such purity in their design as this duo.
Sylva Autokits, Lincolnshire T: 07788 468232 E: sylva-autokits@hotmail.co.uk W: www.sylva.co.uk
ENCYCLOPEDIA of KIT CARS 2012
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www.completekitcar.co.uk