Highlights
- Highly capable lightweight road or track car
- Desirable specification including a Lampredi Fiat twin-cam
- Very well-regarded Caterham and Westfield alternative
- Spacious cabin ideal for the taller driver
- Nicely specified in BRG with gold alloys
The Appeal
Over the years Caterham and Westfield have both tried to extend the appeal of the Lotus Seven with more road-focussed cars. But good as their efforts have been, Jeremy Phillips of Sylva has consistently showed them up.
For those in the know, his Sylva Stylus is the pick of the road-biased, Seven-derived sports cars. After all, it beat the Caterfields to win the 750MC kit car series championship nine times in twelve years.
The Stylus was revised in 1996 to take a wider range of more modern running gear and engines. This 1997 example benefits from those improvements. It looks superb in British Racing Green, accented by gold Minilite-style alloys. But the real appeal lies under the hood where a classic 2.0-litre twin-cam Fiat ‘Lampredi’ engine powers this super-light track weapon.
Bought by the seller during lockdown and used for occasional track days, it carries a high specification and the benefit of UK road registration.. Few track cars deliver the visceral thrills of a well set up Stylus and this one will certain deliver for the buyer.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st February 1997
- Current owner since 12th September 2020
- Purchased by the seller as a lockdown project
- Checked and overhauled by the seller as previously off road
- Used by the seller as a track car
- UK road registered
- No current MoT
Recent work includes:
- Cam belt and auxiliary belts replaced
- Oil and filter service
- New spark plugs and distributor cap
- New brake pads and discs and brakes bled
- New lower front wishbones installed
The Interior
- Smart, well-preserved interior with carbon-effect dash trim
- Spacious cabin ideal for taller driver – vendor is 6ft 1in and fits comfortably
- Black bucket seats with headrests Willans harnesses
- Roll bar
- Classic Smiths dials with new GPS accurate speedometer with digital odo
- Carpeted cabin and boot
- Small diameter Mountney leather-rimmed three spoke steering wheel
- Windscreen with tinted visor strip
The Lotus Seven antecedents of the Stylus are evident across the simple interior, which continues the earlier car’s focus on pure driver engagement bereft of anything superfluous and unnecessary. Classic Smiths dials are arranged across a simple swathe of black carbon-effect trim.
Where the Seven is narrow, the Stylus is much more versatile. It suits taller drivers – the vendor is 6ft 1in - thanks to a wider cabin. There are also more comfortable seats – in this car figure-hugging buckets with headrests and Willans harnesses.
The interior of this car is in good condition and has been trimmed to a good standard, including a carpeted interior floor and boot. However there is a small area of damage on the seat cushion on the passenger side. There is a GPS accurate speedometer with digital odometer – useful for track or road driving.
The Exterior
- Classic British Racing Green paintwork with white door roundels
- Style neatly accented with gold painted Minilite-style alloy wheels
- Amended multi-function rear lights provide simple, style rear aspect
- Fibreglass well preserved with only small star crack on wing to note
- Good gel coat although the vendor says it is not concours
- Some light scratches reflecting 26 years careful use
- Good panel fit across doors, bonnet and boot
- Recent Uniroyal tyres with good tread
- Hood and frame included
- Underside presents well with no structural advisories on recent MOT test
The Stylus was penned by Jeremy Phillips and is a simple yet evocative shape that channels classic 60s sports car cues. The British Racing Green of this car, with its gold Minilite-style wheels, is particularly compelling while the door roundels hint at its true nature.
Its style is enhanced by the recessed headlamps – later cars generally had 356-style fared lamps – and multi-function rear lights that tidy up the standard Stylus rear end aspect.
The fibreglass body is well presented with good gel coat. Although not concours it is very presentable, a small star crack on the front wing and some use-related scratches the only points to note.
It sits upon nearly new, high quality Uniroyal tyres which show plenty of tread. A hood and frame are provided also.
The Mechanics
- 2.0-litre Fiat 132DB ‘Lampredi’ twin-cam developing 140bhp
- Twin 40DCOE Weber carburettors
- Five-speed Fiat manual gearbox
- Guy Croft inlet manifold
- Low winged sump conversion
- Recent cam belt and oil and filter service
- Braided brake hoses
- New brake discs and pads and brakes bled with no imbalance reported
- Spax adjustable coil overs all round
- Ford Escort live rear axle
- Side exit exhaust through sill delivering great, rorty sound
The Sylva consistently outperformed the Caterfields on track thanks to its light tubular frame and excellent balance, achieved by placing the engine well back in the chassis. The kit was designed to take a wide range of engines, of which the Fiat twin-cam must rate as one of the finest choices.
This engine has powered some of Fiat and Lancia’s greatest creations, including the legendary Integrale. In this lightweight car its 140bhp delivers a considerable punch, all soundtracked by its wonderfully rorty side exit exhaust.
Alongside the original specification this car has benefitted from considerable recent maintenance. It was acquired by the seller during lockdown and then comprehensively checked over and readied for track use. This work is detailed above and includes cam belt and auxiliary belt changes, brake overhaul and oil and filter service.
It has only been used for track days since the vendor acquired it but is usefully UK road registered.
Summary
There may be better known road-biased Lotus Seven iterations but they have all been comprehensively beaten on track by Jeremy Phillips’ Sylva.
The Stylus package is compelling but where any example really excels is in how it has been detailed. This car scores on that point, packing a Fiat twin-cam alongside some choice suspension components. Whether you keep this for the track or enjoy it on the road, this gorgeous example looks very entertaining and hugely tempting.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes. On request, Car & Classic may refer you to a third-party shipping company. For more details, email [email protected]. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
