The Mojo and Riot!

Posted by John Mellberg September 21, 2020

The Mojo and Riot!

Sylva Riot

The Sylva Mojo and Riot were among the last designs of renowned racecar and kit designer Jeremy Phillips, before his retirement and handover of Sylva Autokits in 2016 to new ownership.

The Mojo and follow-on Mojo 2 were mid-rear engine kits with a track day bent, similar in purpose to his own Stryker as well as other Lotus 7 type cars. The Riot took the ethos of those cars a step further with an almost pure track focus.

The Mojo Series

The Mojo was launched in 2000. It was originally designed around the front-wheel-drive engine and gearbox from a Mk2 Fiesta, but with the whole setup fitted at the rear to give a mid-mounted transverse setup. The Ford CVH engine was standard, but other engines such as Ford Zetec, Toyota 4AGE and Renault 5 GT Turbo were also used. The Mojo used a De Dion rear suspension setup combined with another variation on the Sylva inboard front suspension design.

It featured styling that was likely inspired by prior takes on the "mid-engine 7" idea such as the Status Minipower. As is typical of Sylva's, it had a spartan, no-nonsense interior with much left up to the builder in terms of gauges and accessories. The body had a wide rear track with fully enclosed rear tires and open wheels up front, partially covered by cycle fenders.

The Mojo 2 was a redesigned Mojo with independent double wishbone rear suspension. The body was restyled, at the rear, and two new nose designs were also introduced.

The Mojo SE was a further development of the Mojo 2, which employed the rear chassis design of the Riot SE, so as to provide a slightly longer wheelbase and accommodate a wider variety of engines. The rear bodywork was also altered due to the extra length behind the rear bulkhead.

The Riot

The Riot is a motor cycle powered version of the Mojo 2. The original version used a Yamaha R1 engine and was called the R1ot. Later it was redesigned to take a Ford Zetec SE and was called Riot SE. It went on to become "Kit Car of the Year 2005".

In terms of design, the Riot takes the theme of the Mojo to its most seven-like extreme with cycle fender clad wheels at all four corners, ultra light weight, and a roll cage for safety but little protection from the elements.
In 2013 the Riot project was sold to Xmoor Cars, later rebranded as Riot Cars, and is still being produced and refined.

The Riot project's new owner, Miles Southerton, has a philosophy that seems in keeping with car's nice of maximum fun on the cheap. "I may be considered a little old school in the function over form debate, but the result is, our cars offer outstanding performance and engineering that few others can match for the money."

More info on Riot Cars can be found here:
https://www.riotcars.co.uk/

Photo Credits:
Riot Cars
Complete Kit Car Magazine
Sylva & Raw Kit Car Club (Facebook)
Neil Everitt