Just dropping a quick post to introduce my new-to-me Stylus! She’s been off the road for quite a while - her last MOT was back in 2013, so she is definitely in need of some TLC.
I’ve already hooked up a new battery and managed to get her running. As expected, the carbs need a good clean because she isn’t revving very smoothly right now. I’ve got a massive box of parts on the way to fully service the engine and replace all the tired front bushes, ball joints, and other suspension bits.
Beyond the mechanicals, the biggest job will be the bodywork. There are plenty of spider cracks in the fibreglass that need sorting out before she gets a respray.
Interestingly, this was a factory build from 1999, but it looks like someone retrofitted TVR Chimera rear lights at some point. I’m still on the fence about whether I actually like them, but I’m sure they’ll grow on me.
My immediate goal is to get her MOT'd and looking sharp. Further down the road, I’m seriously considering an engine swap - maybe an AJ-30 or even Toyota's legendary 1UZ-FE (if I can squeeze it in!). I suspect going that route will require a flip-front bonnet conversion. Has anyone here tackled that? How difficult is it?
Really looking forward to getting stuck in and putting her back on the road!
Stylus history -
In 1991, Jeremy Phillips launched the Sylva Fury. It was a wildly successful, incredibly capable lightweight sports car, but it was highly focused on competition. The cockpit was extremely tight, getting in and out was difficult, and it lacked basic road-car practicalities like luggage space. By 1994, Phillips wanted to offer a more practical, "road-biased" alternative without losing the legendary handling of his chassis designs. He took the existing Fury chassis and modified it to create the Stylus. The key differences were: Wider Dimensions: The Stylus featured a wider track and a wider cockpit, giving occupants much more room than the narrow Fury. Practicality: The doors were enlarged and the sills lowered to make getting in and out easier. It also featured a proper boot for luggage. Bodywork: The Stylus used a one-piece moulded body, which made panel alignment significantly easier for home builders during assembly. Almost immediately after creating this fork in his lineup, Phillips began selling off the rights so he could focus on new projects. He sold the Fury to Fisher Sportscars in 1994 (creating the Fisher Fury), and two years later, he sold the Stylus to Specialist Sports Cars (SSC).
Video:
https://1drv.ms/v/c/a87010af55467703/IQAl_9hoKXUpTLxs935b110qAcAhwVeoa7rFMiymXL_xUzw?e=c8Awvu
[Edited on 21/6/26 by nick9one1]