It’s not the sexy look but the magic charm of the Sylva Mojo SE that conjures a mixture of cultural traditions from African to Native American as well as European elements. There’s even the remarkable hint of the supernatural in this car as you might imagine Gandhi or Moses styling their way across India or across the Red Sea in their new Sylva Mojo SE. They’d probably be pumping out the latest tunes on their new hip-hop CD and sporting some prayer beads as the sun shone down on their bleached blonde hair. Those are the kind of magical spells and incantations that are created from the looks of this totally unique car. It’s a combination of funk, psychedelic, medicinal man incantations and Biblical prophecy all rolled into one.
Wise men say these things come in threes and the Mojo SE can now be said to be the final ascent of that series of amazing designs. First came the Mojo of 1999 as an alternative to the copycat classic roadsters that were so readily available back then. Then came the “Mojo 2” as a second wave redesign. Independent double wishbone rear suspension and 2 new nose designs made this car a new incarnation of the original soul. Now comes the Mojo SE as the final development to the universal “Law of Three”.
The Mojo SE presents a new rear chassis design with a slightly longer wheelbase to accommodate a lot of different engines. There is also some new rear bodywork and a new front look which incorporates some inboard front shock absorbers and enhanced steering capabilities. 40kg lighter than the earlier versions, this is a great step into the future of kit cars and a confirmation that all good things definitely come in three.
The Mojo is also known for its ease of build. The manufacturers specify about 200 hours but also insist that the mid engine design is actually easier for builders to work through than previous designs. The engine and gearbox along with the alternator, starter and fuel injection all transfer straight from the donor car to the kit. The clutch is also very easy to install using the donor master cylinder and pedal. Then the cherry on the sundae is likely to be the price as the entire build will only cost around $US16,000. If that isn’t a magical, psychedelic miracle then I don’t know what is.
