Silva Conversion For Sale

[Rick Andersen]

Pete Frailey built a Silva Conversion with Art Silva back in the mid 60's. This is the 3rd of six built by Art before he first started offering kits. Pete's car is rather unique. It has disc brakes, rack & pinon steering, power windows (I think),Fitch roof, Capris taillights and other added options. The car was raced at Limerock extensively years ago.

Before Pete died the car was bumped (not badly) in the back some years ago and Lee Hamilton in MD bought it with the idea of restoring it. Lee removed the engine so that the rear frame repairs could be completed and to rebuild the engine. Lee was a certified Corvair mechanic, but health issues kept him from finishing the car. Lee passed away about a year ago and his daughters are now interested in selling his conversion. You can view it on the V-8 Registry website and I can send you a few additional pictures provided by Jim Simpson with Group Corvair in MD. He's in contact with the family and is attempting to get more info about the car, extra parts and Corvair specific tools that Lee accumulated over the years.

This Silva Conversion is interesting and has racing history, but it needs a lot of work even though the body is solid based on Jim Simpson's brief inspection. Jim and I agree that it's not worth more than $3,000-5,000 as is, but additional parts and tools may make the sale more appealing. The daughters haven't placed a price on the car yet and they may think it's worth a lot of money, but it's not in my opinion. If Art and Pete hadn't built it, it's a $2,500 car. If it was Art's original conversion, then the value would be higher, but that conversions is still not available at this time.

Here's the V-8 Registry link: https://www.v8registry.com/barbara--pet ... rg-md.html


If you have an interest, email me and I will update you when more info is available. You are welcome to call me.

John Lanning
lannin14@aol.com