Last year I bought a 1998 Spyder Silverstone. It has never been registered or driven on the road. I am now preparing it for registration and IVA. This
is a rare car, one of only 28 ever made by Spyder engineering In Peterborough. It has a Toyota 1600 2TG engine coupled to a Toyota T50 gearbox and a
sierra diff. Fully independent suspension and a very well engineered chassis.
Here are some photos.
Spyder Silverstone
Description
Description
Description
My fist job was to make some boot lid hinges. The car did not come with any and they are not in production any more. Fortunately my friend has a
Silverstone so I was able to make copies from that.
This is the original type of hinge.
Description
and this is my replacement machined from aluminium alloy.
Description
Description
Next up was the brake fluid reservoir. It was fitted with Girling pots, the cap was missing from one of them and they don't have level switches.
The master cylinder is remote from the reservoir so I bought a reservoir for a mk1 Megan, machined up pipe adapters and made a bracket for it.
Description
Description
One of the indicator stalks was broken and I was worried that they might sit a bit low for the IVA. I found a brand new pair of these at the Newark
auto jumble for £4.
Description
The engine was not running properly, the ignitian timing was way out and would not adjust to any where near what it should be. I went back to first
principles and re-set the distributer/TDC positions. Turns out it was set up with cylinder four at TDC instead of cylinder 1 at TDC. That explained
why the HT leads where plugged into the wrong sockets on the cap.
The previous owner had installed a pair of brand new Dellortos. My knowledge of setting carbs is limited so Geoff, another Spyder Silverstone owner,
came over and set them up for me and got the timing spot on. A big thanks to Geoff for that.
Next job is getting the tanks and fuel lines compliment with IVA.
[Edited on 26/2/11 by chris-g]
In the light of recent threads regarding older kits with no registration let me assure everyone that this is a true "barn find".
I was approached over a year ago by the guy who "discovered" this kit. It was built over an extended period starting in 1988 and was almost
ready to go when the builder died. His widow kept the car for many years and only recently parted with it.
Chris knows he has an uphill struggle to prepare the car for IVA but is determined to succeed.
He mentions the cars rarity. His interest in the car was sparked by his friend who already has one.
They both live within twenty miles of me. There can only be a handful of these "gems" left in the world. Strange that three of them seem to
have gravitated together.
Chris's car is a late one in the short production run. It is absolutely split mint as you might expect. It has the splitter type nose cone and
other small differences compared to mine. Mine is #12. My car looks "well used" compared to this one.
What number is yours Chris?
Geoff.
And just to add, you are one lucky, lucky guy!
[Edited on 26/2/11 by SPYDER]
[Edited on 26/2/11 by SPYDER]
Geoff. Thanks for the comments and additional information. My car is number 22, by pure coincidence, my friends car is number 21. Like you said,
getting through the IVA wont be easy but not impossible by any means. I am looking forward to driving it.
I still vividly remember visiting the Spyder stand at one of the very rare Scotish Kit Car shows which were held at Knockhill on occasion.
Vic Moore was kind enough to spend some considerable time talking to a young lad (me) with stars in his eyes about all these cars that he
couldn't afford.
I still have the information pack which he gave me and will never forget the passenger ride.
Nor will I forget the passenger ride with Chris smith of Westfield in the pre lit live axle Westfield. (The current model at the time.)
The Spyder Silverstone always has been and always will be one of my favourite Lotus seven inspired cars which dares to be different.
Just like my Sylva, at least in that respect.
==========
I've just realised that I've already bored everyone with story.
My apologies.
[Edited on 26/2/11 by zilspeed]
The whereabouts of several Silverstones is known.
#1 was reportedly never a completed car.
#2 was the factory racecar, campaigned successfully by Vic Moore. I believe this one now resides in Andorra.
#12 is mine.
#13 lives in Toledo, Ohio, owned by Charles Schaub.
#21 lives in Nottingham, owned by the OP's friend, Noble.
#22 lives in Nottingham, owned by Chris, the OP.
There's one in N.Ireland, owned by Steve Morris.
There's one in the West Country and another was recently damaged in a fire. Can't remember where.
Three chassis turned up on US Ebay a couple of years ago. One had a BDG engine.
They were very expensive kits costing more than a Caterham at the time. This was probably it's undoing and the reason for the low production
numbers. Chassis is second to none and a credit to Spyder's expertise.
Geoff
@Zilspeed.... come to Stoneleigh or Newark and take my Silverstone for a spin.
[Edited on 26/2/11 by SPYDER]
It sounds like Vic Moor is affable chap. I have some letters hand written by Vic to the previous owner. One thanking for his interest and coming to
talk to Vic at one of the shows and other letters detailing the progress of manufacture of the parts.
That must have been one exciting passenger. Having read some magazine articles from the mid-late 80's, Vic was a very competitive driver.
The Silverstone was originally commissioned by Roger Cook the journalist. He wanted a seven type car that was a bit bigger than a Caterham. Apparently
his car was broken up, not sure why, it may only have been a prototype.
Wasn't there one at Newark or Stoneleigh last year?? Probably mistaken but it may have been for sale, I remember reading about them in a
magazine years ago and always thought they would be a good car ,
The one at Newark / Stoneleigh was probably mine. I've never seen another at any show in the last seven years and I've been to nearly all of
them.
The one seen sprinting up north was likely to be Steve Morris's car prior to relocation in N.Ireland.
Ps Iv'e emailed Trevor for some piccies and a spec....
Mark Robinson
One of the most interesting posts I've read on here for a long time.
tony
As you probaly notic I messed up the last post so I'll try again.
Just joined the forum and thought you might be interested in the whereabouts of another Silverstone, had mine for over 20yrs chassis #9 originaly had
a Toyota 2TG and T50 g/box,now has a2ltr Vauxhall XE with some SBD mods and a c/r Ford Type9 box with a Quaife diff (not really necessary but I had it
anyway).
I use it all the time, I made some ally doors that I copied from a photo Vic Moore gave me of some prototype they were doing,they may not be as good
as the ones Spyder made but they make driving it much more civilised and with the hood up most of the rain stays out.
Mine is well used and it shows but drives well. Never seen another one on the road but its nice to know there are others about, I'm situated near
Loughton in Essex.
Tony H
Hi there Tony and welcome to LCB.
So another Silverstone comes out of the woodwork!
I've got a pair of original doors but never fitted them.
No roof either!
I've had my car for 7 years. It was in a bit of a state when I got it. To some extent it still is!
I replaced the original 2TG with a 2 litre 3SGE but I retained the T50 gearbox. It was a hell of a job. Lots of machining and one off bits. All worth
it in the end though.
We'll be at Stoneleigh if you fancy a day out.
Please post a few pics of your car if you have any.
I don't suppose you still have the T50?
Anyway,here's mine........
Geoff
( Not trying to hijack your thread Chris, but it's becoming a bit of a Silverstone Archive! )
quote:
Originally posted by SPYDER
( Not trying to hijack your thread Chris, but it's becoming a bit of a Silverstone Archive! )
Not a problem Geoff, I am enjoying reading and learning about the cars. If it carries on like this there will soon be enough of us to form an owners
club. 
Tony, it would be great to see some photos of your car and the doors. Make doors is on my to do list, although a long way down the list. My friend,
Noble, took these photos of the doors that came with a car he went to see when it was for sale some years ago. It was a factory race car and is now
owned by Trevor who lives in Andorra.
Description
Description
Description
Apparently the doors and a hard top where going to be an option but never went into production. This explains the roof bars that came with the kit
enabling the roof to fit over the tops of the doors.
Description
This photo is the doors that came with Geoff's car but temporarily fitted to my car. Although they are not the right colour, I think they suit
car quite well.
Description
[Edited on 20/3/11 by chris-g]
scotspyder - 3/5/11 at 07:14 PM
Came across this forum which made intertesting reading.
Chassis #1R the original development car believed to have been raced by Vic Moore with a Toyota engine and gearbox , was purchased in 1986 and
competed in the Scottish Sprint and Hillclimb championships in a road sports car class with a Lotus engine and Bullit gearbox with some success and
remains fully trimmed with the original purchaser.
The whereabouts of Chassis #3 is known, but is an abandoned project requiring a complete build.
chris-g - 3/5/11 at 09:56 PM
Hi Scottspyder. Thanks for that information. Its very interesting and good to know that the original is still in existence. I went to visit the Spyder
factory a few weeks ago. Andy Widnall, the main man there, was telling me some stories about Vics racing sucess and the cars performance which led to
it being banned as it was too fast.
Its amazing that after nearly 25 years chassis no 3 still requires building.
Something makes me think you know more than you are letting on. Do you own both the cars you talk about?
scotspyder - 5/5/11 at 09:24 PM
No#1R belongs to a member of our family, now "softened" for road use.
No#3 we believe the original owner died prior to building the car. The present owner may be willing to sell the parts if there was significant
interest.
chris-g - 7/5/11 at 09:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by scotspyder
No#3 we believe the original owner died prior to building the car. The present owner may be willing to sell the parts if there was significant
interest.
I may be interested in some parts. I have sent a U2U.
SPYDER - 11/6/11 at 08:58 PM
Here are a few pics of chassis #13. It belongs to Charles Schaub in Toledo.
The next two are of my car. Firstly in its original white, then in the condition I bought it in...
Finally some press pics...
Volvorsport - 11/6/11 at 10:56 PM
chassis pics ?
chris-g - 12/6/11 at 04:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
chassis pics ?
Its not the best but there are some more in my photo archive.
Temptedok - 24/6/11 at 09:55 AM
With apologies to Chris-g the original poster, but this thread seems to have become more than just his build diary, but we still want more updates
please.
It was great to see a Spyder Silverstone at Newark on the Saturday. Not sure about the yellow wheels, but I stiil loved the car and had a good chat
with Geoff.
My old one was reg Q367UWP, but I did not have it long. The original builder was in the Malvern area, and built it for sprinting so used 13 inch
wheels, and set it up extremely low. The first thing I did was visit Spyder Engineering for new springs/shocks to raise the ride height, and Andy
Widnall got out a jack and changed them for me on the spot! Great person to deal with, and he showed me his own metallic blue Silverstone.
The vendor passed my contact details to Steve Morris, who was desperate to own a Silverston and kept increasing his offer until I could not refuse to
sell - bad decision on my part but the mortgage, kids etc etc, so thats the one now (still?) racing in N Ireland. Don't know the chassis number
because everything I had went with the car.
So, with so few built in total, are there any for sale at present?
chris-g - 24/6/11 at 09:51 PM
Hello Temptedok. If I could change the name of the thread to "Spyder Silverstone discussion" then I would, anyone know how its done? Thanks
for the information about your car, have you got any photos to post on here? As for Geoff's yellow wheels, most people are not sure about them
and keep telling him to change the colour but he likes them and that all that matters.
As for updates, things have been a bit slow due to funding problems earlier in the year. Recently I have been doing some anodising, see my other
thread here http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=156650
Here are some the parts for the Silverstone that I have been anodising.
This is the battery clamp
Boot hinge components
Closer view of one of the boot hinges
The hinges fitted to the boot box and boot lid
I am very pleased with the results and its really easy to do.
D Beddows - 25/6/11 at 12:16 AM
One of the best/most interesting threads on here for ages and worth a bump to keep it above the dross 
Keep it coming!
Dick Axtell - 25/6/11 at 08:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by D Beddows
One of the best/most interesting threads on here for ages and worth a bump to keep it above the dross Keep it coming!
Seconded!! Several years ago, while I was still in gainful employment, (in the motor industry - we still had some then!), we had to visit Spyder
Engineering at Peterborough. This visit concerned another vehicle project, this one an off-roader for the military. We discovered that these guys were
into auto engineering in a pretty big way, and were really impressed with their products.
We talked to Vic Moore, who told us that his bank manager had told him to stop making the Silverstone, as the project was losing money big time, (this
was way back in early 1990s). They were well into Lotus restoration, providing an upgraded and improved chassis for the Elan. See pic :-
Great to hear that they're still going.
[Edited on 26/6/11 by Dick Axtell]
SPYDER - 25/6/11 at 04:55 PM
Latest chassis whereabouts then.........
#1 was reportedly never a completed car.
#2 was the factory racecar, campaigned successfully by Vic Moore. I believe this one now resides in Andorra.
#9 belongs to TonyH and is still in regular use.
#12 is mine.
#13 lives in Toledo, Ohio, owned by Charles Schaub.
#21 lives in Nottingham, owned by the OP's friend, Noble.
#22 lives in Nottingham, owned by Chris, the OP.
There's one in N.Ireland, owned by Steve Morris.
There's one in the West Country and another was recently damaged in a fire. Can't remember where.
Three chassis turned up on US Ebay a couple of years ago. One had a BDG engine.
The reference in a previous post to a " metallic blue Silverstone" at Spyder Engineering is interesting. Charles's car, #13, is
metallic blue. This may have been a factory colour then. I had always thought that Charles had resprayed his.
FIRE DAMAGED CAR STORY LINK>>CLICK HERE Interesting valuation.
chris-g - 25/6/11 at 10:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SPYDER
another was recently damaged in a fire. Can't remember where.
The poor guy who owns that car had another one before. It was stolen and burnt out, its remains are currently residing at the Spyder factory where is
due to be repaired.
I went for a visit to factory in March. A friend was going to buy some bits for his Elan so I blagged a lift. There was some very nice stuff there, a
row of Elans parked out side, some esprit's and some europas inside along with a replacement elan chassis being built up. Andy Widnall was happy
to talk about the Silverstone and Vics racing adventures. Apparently Vic was banned after 3 races for being too fast, 11 seconds a lap too fast, due
mainly to the fact that the Silverstone was the only car with fully independent rear suspension.
Temptedok - 26/6/11 at 08:35 AM
Another tale about the car which I think Smokey bought. After my brief ownership of the (now) Steve Morris car I have always wanted another, so this
is one that I looked at.
The car was for sale near Shrewsbury, after the original builder died. It was nice enough, with its n/a Cosworth, but there were 2 issues I could not
resolve -
First - title rested with the builders wife, and the guy selling was 'recovering storage costs'. There was no paperwork showing notice had
been served on the widow and nothing to say that the seller had any right to own or sell the vehicle. He would not give details of the widow or let me
contact her, and it all felt a bit dodgy.
Second - The registration document read 'Renault 19 convertable'. In other words a registration fiddle which taken with the above, led me to
walk away.
So Smokey, how did you resolve these issues?
Volvorsport - 26/6/11 at 10:00 AM
they do indeed look well engineered , are those triumph front uprights ?
chris-g - 26/6/11 at 12:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
they do indeed look well engineered , are those triumph front uprights ?
Yes, they are Triumph GT6 I believe. They are very well engineered, too well engineered to have been viable. At the time were an expensive kit, in the
region £10000 if you bought all the components from Spyder, less if the builder sourced donor parts.
Smokey - 18/11/11 at 12:08 PM
Hi Temptedok,
sorry - not been online for ages......
all I will say is that foul means were used to register the vehicle!
I found an old kit car for sale for a couple of hundred quid that had a misprint in the vehicle title and so became a unique car that I could use on a
certain other car..............impossible to prove otherwise!
I did look at Trevor's race car with the duratec engine but he wants 5 figures for it which is outside my budget....fast car though!
chris-g - 18/11/11 at 09:45 PM
I know Trever spent a fair amount on the duratec, exhaust and fitting. Are you allowed to say how any figures he wants for it? Does it still have the
doors with it? Does the car look as good as it goes? Any photos of it? My friend went to see that exact same car many years ago when it was for sale
in Kings Cliffe. He didn't buy it as he already owned a Silverstone.
Temptedok - 19/11/11 at 10:38 AM
Well done Smokey. You are obviously more 'inventive' than I am! (I nearly said devious, but that would have been unfair because you achieved
legality).
Chris-g, how far have you got with IVA? Can you update us on your situation?
Incidentally I have some original brochures for the car, including the Component Information list with various part numbers, although I dont know what
good an Austin Rover Group part number is these days. Also 2 reprints of road tests, and a sew-on cloth Spyder badge! Wow!
chris-g - 19/11/11 at 01:15 PM
Hi Temptedok. Is that the cloth badge, articles and order form that were on ebay earlier this year? I was going through my paperwork the other day and
came across a hand written note from Vic Moore to Peter, the chap who built my car. In it Vic talks about a chap called Bob Savages from Worcester who
has experience with the Toyota powered Silverstone. Is that who you bought your first car from?
As for my car, I am sorry that I have not been updating this thread but I hope to give more details soon. For now I can say it is fully working, has a
VIN and is booked in for an MOT on Monday.
SPYDER - 16/1/12 at 12:27 PM
Chassis #6 has turned up on the "madaboutkitcars" forum. It belonged to username "millhouse2". Actual name unknown. It was
registered in 1991 and has recently been exported to France. Silver in colour. Toyota 2TG engine. Hopefully photos to follow...
Latest chassis whereabouts then.........
#1 was reportedly never a completed car.
#2 was the factory racecar, campaigned successfully by Vic Moore. I believe this one now resides in Andorra.
#6 built by "millhouse2" and exported to France.
#9 belongs to TonyH and is still in regular use.
#12 is mine.
#13 lives in Toledo, Ohio, owned by Charles Schaub.
#21 lives in Nottingham, owned by the OP's friend, Noble.
#22 lives in Nottingham, owned by Chris, the OP.
There's one in N.Ireland, owned by Steve Morris.
There's one in the West Country and another was recently damaged in a fire. Can't remember where.
Three chassis turned up on US Ebay a couple of years ago. One had a BDG engine.
SPYDER - 20/1/12 at 12:38 PM
Well it seems like another Silverstone may have surfaced, this time in Tallahassee, USA.
It's on the " British car forum".
I've registered with them and I'm trying to get some details. All I know at the moment is that it was registered in 1986 and is being
restored.
[Edited on 20/1/12 by SPYDER]
carsy4347 - 24/1/12 at 06:26 PM
Gents,
Very interesting thread, and made even more interesting to me, by the fact I have just taken ownership, of an unregistered, unbuilt original
Spyder chassis ! It has came to me with many parts for the build, however, being a relative new-be to this process, I will be requiring as much info
as possible on the build process, and more importantly, the donar parts required !
All and Any info would be greatly appreciated on the parts required to complete this absolute gem. Does anyone have an original list of parts etc?
Many Thanks
SPYDER - 24/1/12 at 08:14 PM
Hi there carsy and welcome to LCB. I would guess that you have bought chassis#3 as referred to by scotspyder in an earlier post.
Firstly, congratulations! You have bought a real gem of a car. What parts did it come with? Engine? Gearbox? Do you have all the necessary glassfibre
bits?
The donor parts list is quite eclectic.
Steering rack....LHD Mini mounted upside down
Diff...Sierra
Brake master cylinder....London taxi I am led to believe
Binnacle and stalks....Metro
Front uprights and brakes....GT6
Front hubs..specials to give Ford PCD
Radiator is usually a Spyder special but mine has an early Metro alloy jobbie.
There apparently never was a factory build manual but a set of photos were included with each module of the kit.
We have some literature, parts list and catalogues but nothing document-wise to help you building it.
We do, however, have boundless enthusiasm.
Tell us where you are. Post some pics if possible.
Like Chris G said earlier "we'll soon have enough people to form an Owners Club!"
Here are a couple more pics of my car...
Geoff.
carsy4347 - 24/1/12 at 08:31 PM
Geoff,
Nice to hear from you and thank-you for the response.
It could very well be the #3 chassis, it came from dundee, I will check serial numbers tomorrow in the daylight, as I only got the car tonight ! No
engine or gearbox came with it, so im interested in what I can put into it?
It has come with the following,
full chassis complete,
body work pieces( including front and rear arches), but no bonnet.
full rear linkage, (but no coilovers, so which type would i need?)
steering rack (make unknown so which type suits?)
full front linkage(including coilovers but make unknown)
2 rear hubs(make unknown, so which type suits)
2 rear drive shafts(make unknown, so which type suits)
2 front hubs(make unknown, so which type suits, i pressume they are ford)
Brake lines have been fully fitted to each corner, and finished off with braided hoses, but there are no calipers(which type suits?)
Pedals are installed, master cylinder is installed, all bodywork panels have been done, but require finishing.
ALL parts, are/where brand new, however, they have been open to the elements, and require re-vamping !
I have a box of other various bits and pieces that I will go through tomorrow.
Thanks in advance !!
SPYDER - 24/1/12 at 08:55 PM
Hi again!
Engine wise its really up to you. Many came originally with Toyota 2TG twin cam and T50 gearbox.
It is now Toyota 3SGE 2 litre 16V
You could use a Toyota 4AGE with T50 or type 9 if you can get one.
You could use a Ford 4 cylinder with Type 9 gearbox. Zetec, Pinto, whatever..
Mazda MX5 engine box??
You could be adventurous and look at BMW 318is engine.
If I was starting from scratch I would seriously look at the 3SGE V Vti 2 litre with 6 speed box from a Lexus Altezza import. 200+ bhp
Lots of options then.
I could measure my rear coilovers. Protech would make you some up. Not too expensive.
Steering rack is Mini LHD.
Rear hubs are Sierra drum brake type with push in driveshafts.
I think the driveshafts are Spyder specials.
Calipers and discs will be Triumph GT6.
So where are you??
Geoff
carsy4347 - 24/1/12 at 09:04 PM
Geoff,
Thats great, im trawling fleebay, as I type !! And various pintos are appealing, maybe even a cosworth? This was my intention, when I first seen it
!
I am just outside of Perth, scotland, and the car was not advertised, and I came to it by total fluke ! Always wanted one!
I have drive shafts (im sure they are ford sierra as the photos are identical), and looking at the photos of the LHD mini steering racks, this is also
what I have got !
The car has basically lay in a garden for upwards of 10-15 yrs, with all the parts lying inside it. I really am surprised what bloody good condition
everything is in, considering !
I will take photos of all parts tomorrow, and post them to see if they can be identified !
I have emailed Spyder Engineering tonight, but I will call them in the morning to see if they know anything about the history of the chassis etc, and
indeed if they can supply me any parts required !
Cheers for now.
Pete
SPYDER - 24/1/12 at 09:25 PM
Hi Pete. Somehow I knew you would be hundreds of miles away. On the bright side I'll be near Perth in August on our annual holiday to Scotland.
Blair Atholl to be precise. Been going for nearly twenty years! We always have a day in Perth. We were there in 2003 ( i think it was 2003) when there
was a torrential rainstorm. Can you remember it? We drove up from Perth during the storm. The fields were full of swimming cattle. The trainlines were
washed away near Pitlochry. We drove through the foot of a landslide on the A9 near the Tay bridge. Three feet of water on Pitlochry high street.
But I digress...
Protech offer good deals on a set of four shocks with springs, made to order.
I might have some front discs. I'll check. If you need wheels then no bigger than 6 X 15 with around 11 to 16 offset. Ford PCD
And the rear lights are from a Leyland Sherpa.
Look forward to seeing some pics.
Geoff.
Nissan 200 SX Engine & Gearbox Complete £500 | eBay
Nissan 200sx S14 Engine Gearbox Stage1 Ecu And Loom | eBay
Kitcar Ford Zetec engine MT75 gearbox | eBay
[Edited on 24/1/12 by SPYDER]
chris-g - 24/1/12 at 10:05 PM
Hi Peter. Congratulations on your purchase, glad to hear that you saved it from the garden. The chap who built my car was called Peter.
I think Geoff has covered most things. The shock absorbers are made by Spyder and can supply you with replacements and possibly some other parts too.
The chap you want to talk to at Spyder is Andy Widnall. He also owns a Silverstone. As for an engine, I wouldn't recommend a pinto. My friend
Noble has one in his Silverstone but he doesn't like it. A duratec can be made to fit, and a Vauxhall red top has also been fitted.
Are you intending to register it for road use? If so I recommend downloading the IVA manual and reading it before getting too far into the build. It
might save you some work in the long term. Have you got wheels? Revolutions were recommended by Spyder and most of the Silverstones I have seen have
them fitted.
Looking forward to seeing the photos.
Chris.
daniel mason - 24/1/12 at 10:34 PM
great thread! carsy4347. when you work out the forum,clean the bits up as best you can,take some photos,upload them and we will try to identify as
many of your parts a s possible, and trawl the web for parts you may need top complete the build!
good luck mate. keep us posted
carsy4347 - 25/1/12 at 01:44 PM
Gents, here are photos of what I have to work with so far !!
I can only pressume that as the chassis number ends with 003, that this is indeed the #3 car ! And as you can see, it has never been built !!
chris-g - 25/1/12 at 05:26 PM
She looks a bit sad Peter, but at least the chassis seems to in good order. The wishbones are nickel plated so might clean up, and if not I am sure
Spyder can supply new ones, they are same the replacements for the Elan. Photo one is the rear hubs, I think there were made by Spyder. Has it got a
windscreen and boot box with it? The kit was available in sets so when you built one stage you ordered the next set and so on. If the previous owner
didnt order all sets that might explain any missing parts. Do you have any paperwork with it as there should be a order booklet that details the
contents of each set of parts. Have you had any contact with Spyder yet?
Your chassis is indeed No. 3 and I think the other numbers relate to the date of manufacture. So it was made in January 1986.
Send me a u2u with your email address and I will see what I can send you in the way of build photos that came with my car.
carsy4347 - 25/1/12 at 05:39 PM
Hi there, Yes, it is indeed in a sad state, but considering it has lay since 1986, its to be expected. I have already done the wishbones, hubs, etc
today, and all have come up like new !! Bonus !
It came with an assortment of plastic bags, marked stage , stage 2, stage 3 etc, but all have been lay in water and all parts are too badly coroded to
know what they where.Yes,the boot box is there too.
I spoke to Sean today at Spyder Engineering, and he has been as helpful as possible, but he stated they had been burgled several years ago, and all
records had been stolen.
We will get there though !!
I have established the manifold is for a ford zetec 2.0, so that is the engine I will be using, along with a type-9 box, or the mt-75 box, whichever
get first.
Im off to the breakers yard in the morning to pick up a 2.0 zetec, black top, so hopefully I will get a set of wheels as well, to at least get the
chassis rolling.
[Edited on 25/1/12 by carsy4347]
carsy4347 - 27/1/12 at 09:17 AM
Firstly, a MASSIVE THANKYOU to Chris-g, for all the documents and folders he has shared with me, they have helped out no-end ! And continue to do so
!
I have purchased a 2.0 ltr Black-Top Zetec engine, along with a 4 speed ford capri box from my trip to the scrappys ! I should be picking them up
tomorrow or Sunday to begin re-furbishment of them. I have gone through, all my boxes and bits and pieces of kit that ame with the car, and now have a
fair idea of what I need to at least get a rolling chassis.
If anyone can help with sourcing the following parts, or at least telling me which donar vehicle they came from, I would be very grateful !
1 - Front Anti Roll Bar and mounts.
2 - Front Vertical Links and Wheel splines ( I know these are from a Vitesse, but I cannot find them anywhere!)
3 - Front Calipers ( also Vitesse, but cannot source a set!)
4 - Front Radiator, or whichever one suits/fits
Those are the main pieces I need for now, to get my car looking like a car for the first time, and then I can start on the main work !
Again, if anyone has a list or anything of that nature, of the donar parts required, this would be most advantageous to me !
Thanks Guys !
Pete
chris-g - 27/1/12 at 11:08 AM
No problem Pete, glad they were useful. I am impressed at the rate you are cracking on with it. The front anti roll bar I think was a Spyder Specical,
might be worth a call to Andy at Spyder, or Geoff might have an idea. The front uprights I think are used on Caterhams so should be readily available.
The radiator is Metro, although the chap who built my car had one specially made. Geoff recently got alloy Metro rad for his Spyder. I don't know
if there is a difference between the Austin radiators and the later Rover metro rads.
Try posting in the wanted section of this forum or have a look at ebay. Here's a starter for the front uprights, assuming they are compatible.
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
TRIUMPH TR4/4A/5/6 VERTICAL LINK & LOWER TRUNION R/H | eBay
There must be a company out there selling replacement Triumph parts.
[Edited on 27/1/12 by chris-g]
SPYDER - 8/2/12 at 11:02 PM
I've found the numbers of the three Silverstones that cropped up on Ebay USA.
Latest chassis whereabouts then.........
#1 was reportedly never a completed car.
#2 was the factory racecar, campaigned successfully by Vic Moore. I believe this one now resides in Andorra.
#3 belongs to carsy 3437 and is being rebuilt
#6 built by "millhouse2" and exported to France.
#9 belongs to TonyH and is still in regular use.
#10 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#12 is mine.
#13 lives in Toledo, Ohio, owned by Charles Schaub.
#14 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#15 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#21 lives in Nottingham, owned by the OP's friend, Noble.
#22 lives in Nottingham, owned by Chris, the OP.
There's one in N.Ireland, owned by Steve Morris.
There's one in the West Country and another was recently damaged in a fire. Can't remember where.
Longbody - 7/5/12 at 08:52 PM
Hi All
Having seen the thread, I thought it was about time that I joined in.
I bought Q367UWP from Temptedok some years ago and it still resides with me in Kent. It is quite right that I have raced the car in Northern Ireland
and hopefully will again in the near future.
This car is Chassis No 2. I was always under the impression that only 23 were made and Andy W at Spyders has no 23. It is good to hear that no 1 may
still be in existence - I was not sure it was ever a complete car - just goes to show what I know!
UWP was originally owned by Bob Savage and he clocked up the best part of 30,000 miles with it, with a Toyota 2TG twincam bored to 1940cc and
producing about 150bhp. This engine threw a conrod during a race and I joined the Air Cooled Crankshaft Club !! Not conducive to continued forward
motion. It now has a Vauxhall 2 litre red top in situ mated to a Ford T9 gearbox.
On the positive side of things, as my car is still road legal, but spends more time on the track than anything else - I may be able to help those of
you who are building up your Silverstones with assorted parts that I have removed from my car, which will probably never be refitted
The ex factory race car, which is Trevor's in Andorra (unless it is now sold) was chassis no 4.
If I can be of any help to any of you - please let me know.
Steve M
PS - Geoff, is your twin master cylinder arrangement one that you have installed? I am running four pots as well and have had no end of fun and games
trying to get the balance right and I'm still not sure that I have got it as good as it could be.
SPYDER - 7/5/12 at 09:11 PM
Hi Steve and welcome to Locostbuilders. Although my car has two fluid reservoirs it only has one "tandem" master cylinder which comes from a
London Taxi, or so I am told. Does your car still have drum brakes at the rear or have you converted to discs? If your brake balance is too rear
biased you could consider a limiter valve. I ran some AP 4 pots for a while but they were far too good and it was too easy to snatch a brake and lock
up. They were MASSIVE though. Which 4 pots are you trying?
Geoff
I'll update the chassis list tomorrow.
[Edited on 7/5/12 by SPYDER]
chris-g - 7/5/12 at 09:41 PM
Hi Steve. Thanks for the info about your car, we seem to building a good picture of where all that cars. Have you got any photos of your car, we like
photos
Longbody - 22/5/12 at 08:45 PM
Hi Geoff / Chris
I have Outlaw 4 pots on the front and still have the Sierra drums on the rear. The Outlaws fit inside 13" Supalite rims. I am currently
converting back to solid discs as the vented discs did not generate enough heat on the track, given that they are out in the airstream. The tandem
cylinder is London Taxi but due to the 5:1 pedal ratio, was unsuitable for use with the 4 pots as pedal travel was excessive. I am now changing the
master cylinder again as I had a solid pedal but not enough pressure, even with my size 12 leaning on it. By reducing the cylinder diameter and
increasing the pedal ratio I hope to increase the pressure and minimise the pedal travel. I already have a reduction valve in the brake line to the
rear brakes so can adjust the braking at the rear as required.
I will upload some photos, not sure what I have digitally but will have a hunt around. The car does look a bit tired at the moment and is a bit
different to standard so when the current works are complete and it is tidied up a bit, I'll upload some current photos - if I can work out how
to do it!
Steve
carsy4347 - 19/10/12 at 02:00 PM
Gents,
It is with great dismay that I am contemplating selling my Spyder. I have achieved nothing with the car since the posts earlier in the year. I
have since bought a nice fresh 2.0 blacktop engine, a 4 speed ford capri gearbox, and a few other new miscellanious parts.
I had no time whatsoever to get anything done, and to be honest.. My bikes have taken over my spare time. I dont want this car sitting going to waste
any longer, and wish it to go to a good home for being built.
I am open to sensible offers for the whole package, so you if you know of anyone who may be interested, please email me on sniper4347@hotmail.co.uk
I have pumped nearly 3500 into the car, but the only thing I dont have is time, to put it all together.. 
chris-g - 19/10/12 at 09:14 PM
Sorry to hear that Pete but its understandable, there is a fair amount of work there to bring the car to life and there never seems to be enough time
to get it all done. If I had the space I would be interested in the car, it would make a great track toy.
carsy4347 - 26/10/12 at 06:55 AM
Having been thinking about the car quite a bit over the past week or so, my enthusiastic side has re-surfaced. I have suitably slapped myself, for
even contemplating selling up !
I WILL begin to get things sorted out, and sent off for powder coating etc. It WILL be a rolling chassis by the end of the year, and perhaps the
engine and gearbox placed. (I wont be too adventurous just yet!)
chris-g - 26/10/12 at 08:00 AM
Good man, you wont regret it and its a good winter project. We all go through that phase of loosing interest and often more than once. Keep us all
informed of progress with plenty of photos.
carsy4347 - 3/11/12 at 07:34 AM
Ok.. So I have started to gather more parts for when I begin the build when I get home.
As mentioned previously, I have purchased a 2.0 Zetec blacktop engine and a type9 4 speed rocket box.
I got a set of R-1 bike carbs, mated to a zetec manifold, and am currently looking for a suitable stand-alone ignition system.
Herald vertical links, and a new steering coloumn (LHD MINI)
I have also printed off all the documents and photographs you guys sent through to me, to aid with parts recognition etc.
I have sent a few emails through to Sean and Andy at Spyder, but have had no replies as of yet.
Does anyone on here, have any spare parts etc. they do not require? ANYTHING?
Thats it for now folks..
chris-g - 3/11/12 at 10:24 AM
Unfortunately I don't have any spare parts as my car came already built. If you need any parts identifying post photos and we will see what we
can do.
In terms of ecu/electronic ignition, megasquirt is very well regarded, competitively priced and there is lots of info about it on the web and in these
forums. Depending on which type you get you will probably have to get a Ford EDIS 4 module and coil pack. If you buy a brand new one you can specify
it with a inbuilt coil driver, that's what Geoff uses on his Spyder along with coil on plug. There are other electronic ignition systems around
so it would be worth searching on this forum for options and opinions.
tony h - 5/11/12 at 08:47 PM
I have a pair of discs and calipers that I took off of my silverstone this year, the calipers were rebuilt with new seals and pistons about 500 miles
ago. The discs just have a bit of surface rust.
You said you have a pair of Herald uprights, the originals were fitted with GT6 uprights and I think you'll find they are different. The GT6
calipers definitely wont fit the Herald uprights the bolt spacing is different although I have the original caliper brackets which will (I think) fit
the Herald.
If you google Canley Classics they show exploded views of all the front suspension for GT6/Herald so you can compare the
parts.
I also have my cars original rad which is off a Metro turbo I believe, and I have a windscreen frame which I am reluctant to get rid of but might be
willing to loan out as a pattern.
Had my car for over 20 years so have a pretty good idea of whats what so if I can be of any help feel free to ask.
carsy4347 - 3/12/12 at 02:03 PM
Tony,
Excellent.
I am still away at work at the moment, but I will be in touch with you again when I return.
How much would you take for the parts that you have? ie. - calipers, brackets, discs?
You dont by any chance have the triumph to ford pcd hubs or know where there are any? I looked at the website you mentioned, and it is very
interesting !
Send me a U2U with prices etc of what you have please, and included postage costs ! Unfortunately, with the distances involved, it would not be
possible for me to travel down to you.
I will be down in the Hereford area mid-month on business, but I believe you are still some distance further south.
Thanks for now, and please do populate a list of what you have, and prices, then send it onto me!
Cheers
chris-g - 3/12/12 at 03:36 PM
Pete. If you are passing Nottingham on your way to Herefordshire, feel free to stop off, there is a chance you could see 2 fully working Silverstones.
Temptedok - 8/2/13 at 05:56 PM
My old car, which Steve Morris converted to be a racer, is unexpectedly up for sale -
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/kit-cars/other-models/spyder-silverstone-1986/1042534
SPYDER - 9/2/13 at 03:11 PM
Carsy's Spyder was on ebay last week. The auction was stopped before the end. What happened Carsy? Did you sell it? Or did you have second
thoughts?
eBay Item
chris-g - 22/2/13 at 12:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Temptedok
My old car, which Steve Morris converted to be a racer, is unexpectedly up for sale -
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/kit-cars/other-models/spyder-silverstone-1986/1042534
The PistonHeads advert is now showing as sold. Steve M, who did you sell it to and can we expect to hear from them in the near future?
[Edited on 22/2/13 by chris-g]
steve m - 22/2/13 at 01:52 PM
Crikey, !!!
I saw the Steve m, bit, and thought what has the two year old bought on ebay again!!!
Thankfully, its not me, as im quite happy with my 7
SPYDER - 14/3/15 at 11:27 AM
Chassis #2 is for sale on ebay. I've asked the seller to come on here and post details regarding the cars history.
Spyderdriver - 16/3/15 at 09:22 PM
Geoff - as promised...
#2 is now in Oxfordshire and back from the Pyrenees
This is car originally had a Toyota lump but when we bought it in 2003 it was fitted with a Pinto engine that produced 160bhp. It now has a new 2.3
litre 230hp Duratec (from USA) modified by Scholar Engines (Fully balanced, lightened, head flowed, Electronic fuel injection, computer controlled,
dry sump). It’s a great car with an excellent pedigree. The chassis is the factory lightweight race chassis, it was #2 the ex works car successfully
campaigned by Vic Moore. It has a tonneau cover and hood. I have the original doors - but they are hiding.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-Spyder-Silverstone-factory-lightweight-classic-race-car-/181688903112?
I would place photos here but not sure how to.
SPYDER - 17/3/15 at 12:32 AM
Here are the pics from the ebay auction...
[Edited on 17/3/15 by SPYDER]
[Edited on 17/3/15 by SPYDER]
Temptedok - 20/3/15 at 05:40 PM
As the seller had the car from 2003, I must have gone to purchase this in Devon late 2002. At the time it still had the Pinto lump with exhaust under
the car. Unfortunately the photos I took at the time, including the prototype doors, are on an old computer . . typical.
To collect I took Friday off, two trains to Devon, hotel overnight and was ready to buy Sat morning then drive home. Car would not start. Eventually
it did but erratic and charge light on. Went to a garage and found the earth strap was faulty. Replaced and went back to sellers house to set off,
charge light on again. Another garage and fixed again, was ready to leave at 6pm in the dark, charge light came on again. No way to drive it home so
took train home again arriving 4am. So after 36 hours messing about and £500- lighter from fares and hotel, I was pissed off with the seller and did
not go back.
The car was fitted with a ZF racing box with dog leg first, and I presume it's still there but not mentioned by current seller I don't
think.
Before travelling I had heard that 'the cockpit was full of water', so this is some info from an email which may be of interest to potential
purchasers -
With respect to the ad, I said it has only been used in the dry, and it has.
Clive kept it garaged and only used it in dry weather, and so have I. It
has been parked at the Marlin Specialist Sportscar Centre in Crediton since
I decided to sell it, partly because we lived in rented accommodation for a
while, and I had nowhere to park it, and partly because they have been
helping me to advertise the car. It made sense for it to be somewhere where
it could be seen at any time.
Although it has full weather equipment (the original Spyder hood and the
prototype aluminium doors I described), it is obviously not completely
waterproof and I can only assume it had been left out on the forecourt when
the person you spoke to saw it. It has certainly never been "full of
water".
I have never said the car is immaculate. I described it as 'original' and
it is, right down to the original scruteneering stickers on the side. I
could have had it tarted up for sale, but I preferred it in this original
condition and thought any serious prospective purchaser would prefer it that
way too. It is, however, in good condition, and I have recently had some
stone chips and a couple of small cracks professionally repaired. The
interior could stand some improvement (I had intended to replace the
original seats and harnesses), and I would be quite prepared to adjust the
price accordingly. Likewise, there is some cracking around the bump in the
bonnet - again I would be happy to allow for this in the price.
The full story on the car, then...
Q274 LEG was first registered on February 15 1988. I understand from the
previous owner, Clive Tolson (more on him in a moment), that it had been
raced by Spyder Engineering and this was confirmed to me recently by the
company themselves, who said that it features a "lightweight, fully bronze
welded racing chassis" and uses "half-gauge perimeter tubing".
It was bought from Spyder Engineering on February 3 1989 by Clive Tolson of
Broad Meadows, Shrewbridge Court, Natwich, Cheshire. It might have been
fitted with a different engine at the end of its racing career, although I
wasn't aware of this. The current engine, which was in the car when Clive
bought the car from Spyder, is a dry-sumped, two-litre Ford Pinto SOHC,
prepared by Twin Cam Techniques. The specification includes a big-valve
head (9.5:1), Powermax pistons, twin Dellorto 48DCOE carbs, 'rally-spec' cam
and tuned length exhaust manifold. The gearbox is a direct-top, five-speed
ZF. I have spoken to Roger Cook about the car and he confirmed it was one
of two ZF boxes bought by him for Spyder Silverstones - he jokingly said
that he was never reimbersed and that I owed him three grand!
I bought the car from Clive on August 20 2000. It had a new MOT then (I
have all the MOT certificates and all Clive's bills), with a recorded
mileage of 2468. It has seen only very occasional road use since then.
So that is the full story. It is a solid and genuine example of a Spyder
Silverstone, which could be put back to as-new condition, if that's what you
want, for very little expense. And, as I said, I would be prepared to
adjust the price to make allowance for that.
With the current engine it must really fly!
chris-g - 20/3/15 at 09:32 PM
Thanks for extra information Temptedok. When the car was for sale in the 1990's, my Spyder owning friend went to see the car. He took some photos
which I will try and get scanned and post here.
tony h - 7/6/16 at 04:43 PM
After 26 years I have reluctantly decided to sell my Silverstone,( a combination of age and a bad back) Recently overhauled front suspension, fitted 4
pots, new shocks all round and a new clutch slave cyl. The rest of the spec and pictures is as posted on this web page, it's not immaculate
having been in regular use but its in good condition. Anyone interested can u2u me before I advertise it.
SPYDER - 1/3/17 at 09:16 PM
An update to this thread is long overdue. My car has been painted and fitted with a new exhaust system, six speed box, new front shocks and GSXR
throttle bodies.
More importantly though, Chris has got stuck in to getting his car sorted.
So hopefully there'll soon be another Silverstone on the road.
In the meantime, here are a couple of pics of Q514KFL, the factory racer, in action at Mallory.
SPYDER - 3/3/20 at 05:19 PM
It's been a while hasn't it. Chris's car is nearly ready for IVA and will hopefully be on the road this summer.
My car now has a new engine built by myself. Build diary here...
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=213640
I've recently been in touch with Steve Laing, a publican from Suffolk. It was Steve's car that was involved in the pub fire.
It turns out that he owns TWO Silverstones, the jammy get. The "pub fire" car is chassis #11.
His "other" one is at the Spyder factory and is being rebuilt. Chassis # as yet unknown.
I've also been in contact with Steve Hole, editor of Total Kit Car and Silverstone fanboy. Together, we are putting together an article to
include more of the Silverstone's history. Steve is in regular contact with Roger Cook, the erstwhile TV journalist, who was instrumental in the
genesis of the car.
He thinks that chassis#2 belonged to Roger initially, although there's a lengthy email in this thread to suggest otherwise. I'll check with
Steve.
So here is the latest "chassis whereabouts list. There may be a little confusion re. #2, I'll ask Steve to join the forum and clarify what
he can.
#1 was reportedly never a completed car.
#2 was the factory racecar, campaigned successfully by Vic Moore. Now back in the UK from Andorra.
#3 belongs to carsy 3437 and is being rebuilt
#6 built by "millhouse2" and exported to France.
#9 belongs to TonyH and is still in regular use.
#10 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#11 lives in Suffolk, owned by Steve Laing. It was involved in a pub fire and is being rebuilt.
#12 is mine.
#13 lives in Toledo, Ohio, owned by Charles Schaub.
#14 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#15 is in the USA, present condition unknown.
#21 lives in Nottingham, owned by the OP's friend, Noble.
#22 lives in Nottingham, owned by Chris, the OP.
There's one in N.Ireland, owned by Steve Morris.
There's one in the West Country and another owned by Steve Laing which is at the factory for rebuild.
A couple of photos of chassis#? at the factory...
[Edited on 3/3/20 by SPYDER]
SPYDER - 4/3/20 at 11:33 AM
Some of my earlier pictures have disappeared and I'm unable to edit them back in.
Here are some of them...
Charles Schaub's car, #13, lives in Toledo.
Here is my car, #12 when it was first built.
SPYDER - 4/3/20 at 11:47 AM
A couple of pics of Q514KFL, the factory racer, in action at Mallory.
chris-g - 27/4/21 at 01:12 PM
With great sadness the car that belonged to my friend who introduced me to the Spyder Silverstone is for sale due to him passing away earlier this
year. Please see advert is in the for sale section of the forum.
sampoole54 - 2/6/24 at 10:58 PM
Hi all I've recently come across Steve's silverstone spyder in suffolk looking quite sorry for it's self
As I only live down the road I got chatting with him about it and seems he's quite keen on getting it back up on all fours at least to start
with
Currently since the fire at the rear end from a quick look it's had the following removed
diff, wishbones, shocks, hubs, exhaust box rear wings, tailgate (probably more)
It looks like most of it's there but i think panels might be an issue
I was hoping to get any information about origin of the parts on these
Firstly I will definitely be needing rear shoes/ wheel cylinders just to start me off
I believe these are from a sierra and guessing the hubs may be too? It's not vital yet but would like some new bearings for them
I'm not sure about anything else seems quite a ford based build
But any info anyone has will be massively helpful and save me a lot of time trying to match parts up
So thanks in advance for any info
Cheers Sam
