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I wonder just how well set up the cars that the factory lends out to test are? Many years ago I worked for a very high end bicycle company that sent its bikes out to national bike magazines and as often as not the reviews would have a number of small negatives that in the end would add up giving a negative impression of an otherwise wonderful bike. So we took the step of having our best mechanics tweak and test and re-tweak the bikes until they were just right before any journalist ever got near it. And when the bike came back from the test it was gone over and test ridden and cleaned to perfection before it went back out the door to be once again tested. And....every bike always came home to check over before it went to the next test. Journalist are not kind to gear and most don't care if they pass on bikes that are compromised in some way to the next magazine. This process resulted in glowing reviews and a real life bump in sales - so worth the time to get the bikes just right. I wonder if Westfield, and other car companies, take the steps necessary to present their products in the best possible light. I recall a number of years ago EVO magazine tested the then new Miata and they had little good to say about it and the tone of the piece was largely one of disappointment. Their core complaint was the handling and the details of their complaint all pointed to a poor alignment. As I read it I wanted to jump into the pages of the magazine and set the toe properly just so they would talk about something else. I can't fault the magazine - are they supposed to report that they think the car would be great if only it had a proper alignment and tire pressures? No - they test the car they are given. It feels like Westfield might do well to have their best guy assemble the demo cars and make sure they ride and handle just so and that they are 100% rattle and squeak free. It's time consuming and therefore not cheap but it's time/money very well spent. If I can make my own car handle and ride just right and be free of rattles and squeaks surely the factory can do it and do it faster and cheaper...and no doubt the reviews would be more positive and be less "it's not as good as a Caterham but it's cheaper". Properly done they could have "it's every bit as good as a Caterham and much cheaper" and no doubt sales would increase. dave

Have you had an advert running on the Boardroom, whether for a car, or a part, or even something not car related at all? Did it sell? (Congratulations by the way, if it did! If so, can the club please, please, please ask you to do one last thing; go back to your for sale thread, go up to your opening post, and click on the edit button, just underneath. Then, where it shows the title of the thread, add the word "sold", it doesn't matter what format, capitals, lowercase, what ever you like, but please, mark the item as sold in the title! Then just click to confirm and save the edit, and you're all done. - We've had a few people recently searching back through adverts, desperate to find some particular item, only to have to wait, frustratingly, to find out if it's still available, potentially missing others, while the original poster is getting back to them. Please help us to help everyone, by marking your posts. Thankyou.

As the old fat chicken says, feel free to drop me a PM with any questions. I drove this car back in 2001 and tried to buy it from a colleague of mine who owned it at the time but he backed out, way back when. There are newer cars and faster cars, but they are not xflow powered

Oh yes @Trevturtle that looks just the job, indeed, part of the fun of this trip is decorating the car the day before, singing along to the radio in the garage (the husbands garage that is) WATCH OUT FOR ANY GATE CRASHERS!!! See you all in the morning Mrs Excited

What a brilliant day. Started with getting up at 4.15am with a drive to Meet Gary and Trina for breakfast at 7.00am in Darlington. We had the best breakfast ever at the Toby Carvery in Darlington and it even had Yorkshire puddings that had bacon in the mix including beef gravy. All the food was really clean and tasty....bit like me. Cannot believe that Gary and Trina have had a 900 mile round trip just to join us in Scarborough for the day. We travelled back to my house for coffee and mince pies via Castle Howard and the snow covered hills of the North Yorkshire Moors. Plenty of banter ensued and I learnt that there are various words in the american language [Trina is american] that do not mean the same thing as here.....much to our amusement. We met up with Malc and Di who both have a great sense of humour and we got on really well. We took Trina to see the sea as she lives hundreds of miles from the coast and made our way to Scarborough. We met Dave and Russell in Scarborough and food, drinks, laughs, amusements, lemon top ice creams, milky coffees all at various establishments followed, including a relaxing walk around the harbour area. We even had scares in Terror Tower where Di through her arms around me as she was scared by a dinosaur....I think the dinosaur was an excuse though. We passed a great "kit" camper van on the sea front. Anyway...we had a great day and I would like to thank everyone for coming. Here are a few pictures of our day.

I thought the review was okay as the driver look at it in a realistic way. If you compared a Porsche Boxster against an MX5 there would be a wide variation between the two as one would expect of a car that was much more expensive. So the way he looked at the Westfield against the Caterham was realistic and as he pointed out the nature of our cars is that we can, nay love to tinker and get them how we want them to drive. Caterham owners tend to slap down a fat cheque for all the bells and whistles and leave them alone from what I see. There is no excuse for giving a sub standard car to a mainstream magazine tester, but if a Kit car journalist who only usually drives Kit cars then comparing say a GBS or a Luego against a Westfield, it will show the Westfield head an shoulders above those, but again there is a premium difference. My view has always been that Westfield let them selves down with the accuracy of the fiberglass, there is no excuse for bad panel gaps these days, it is as hard to make a bad mould as a good one so why not do it right. Squeaks and rattles on any car are annoying on a £30k one there shouldn't be any even a Westfield. DaveMK1 is spot on but there is a cost to get it right. It will be interesting to see how the new GTM, which is only going to be available fully built, will be compared against similarly priced cars and how they are presented for road testing.

If you like Jon, (and Martin, if can either link to or email me a copy of the Excel file) I can put them up on the Boardroom in this thread as downloadable links and host them from the Club, that way there's no extra traffic for you to deal with and they're "always here"

Looking forward to a good curry already.

See you all there

It's here https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/westfield/sport-250

Don't forget that the A series engine has it's camshaft in the block, driving the overhead valves via pushrods. All the more modern engines being mentioned have overhead camshafts, so they aren't just marginally taller, it is quite significantly taller having the camshaft above the valves. If you are wanting to build a modernised version of the XI, probably for competition, then by all means go for something like a Sigma engine and accept that it will need a big power bulge on the bonnet. However if you want to build a replica of the XI, looking like an original XI, as a fun road car then I think it is sensible to use an A series engine which is what the kit was designed to use. Tuned to 100/110 bhp, it should be quite lively but still "old school", in keeping with the rest of the car. I actually like the idea of having a distributor and a carburetor. Then again, I'm over 70, so I'm "old school" myself!

OK here we go, after 4 very successful years competing in the speed series with my Zesty Zetec and having achieved some amazing results, 2014 ( my first year ) 2nd in class B and 2nd overall Novice Championship, 2015 Novice Champion and class B winner, 2016 ( move up to experts ) Class D winner and again in 2017 Class D winner and an amazing 7th place in the overall championship the urge for more power has finally got the better of me, so here starts the re-invention of the Silver Bullet. Anyway back to my trusty 2ltr Blacktop engine which has been ultimately reliable, is still in the car and can be tried by anyone seriously interested. This started out as a std motorsport crated engine with the addition of Jenvey TBP45's and has been upgraded overtime to its now solid 226bhp & 167ft/lb torque state. Ultimately reliable and safe at 7500 rpm, no smoke, no leaks, starts first time every time and equally at home on roads or track. This really is a great opportunity to buy a competitive bolt in package at a fraction of its new cost. Spec 2013 2ltr Blacktop Zetec ( not covered much more than 2000 miles ) Arp Rod Bolts Cylinder head ported and flowed by Dave Andrews of DVA Power, Kent Focus 3 Cams with solid lifters ( internal shims not the std zetec external shim that can be dislodged by high lift cams ), Turbo Sport Adjustable Vernier Pulleys. Jenvey TBP45's with 90mm air horns, filter back plate and air filter, Jenvey underslung linkage & TPS, Bosch 630cc Injectors ( I think ) Pace Dry Sump Kit with 2 stage scavenge pump and retains Zetec original high pressure pump. Plays-Kool Motorsport 40amp Alternator Powerlite High Torque Starter Motor Burton's Alloy Bell housing ( Starter on passenger side ) Burton's RWD Flywheel Helix 4 paddle ceramic clutch with std pressure plate ( nice and light ) Dunnel mild steel manifold Emerald K3 ECU and Emerald engine loom, mapped by Dave at Emerald 226 bhp / 167 ft/lb of torque with 3 switchable maps FullPower, slightly softer map for wet conditions ( never helped me, I'm crap in the wet ) and a quite map for noise testing :-) A quick tot up and you'll see this lot comes at quite a high price new, now I'm a sensible man and have a figure in mind reflects its usage etc for the lot as a bolt in package, so if your seriously interested message me and we'll talk turkey. Please DO NOT ask me to split at this stage, that may change if a package deal can't be done. I'm in the workshop tomorrow so I'll take some photo's and post them up.

Hi Julie. Love Lemontop Icecreams. Had a great day with even better friends.

I am glad that it is not just us lot in the Peak District that go for ice creams in the winter . Looks like you had a lovely day in kind weather, thanks for sharing your pictures Geoffrey

^ Don’t mistake these for the basic bare calipers that you often see, these include the sliders (mounting brackets) that the others leave you desperately hunting for second hand!

Martin asked those seriously interested to message him to discuss price.

Dave A good point well made on careful setup. Also journalist are normal individuals like you and I. They are also not racers. Every racer has their preference too. There is a real art to find the right setup. Sometimes even tyre pressure ? It seems very easy to praise Caterham and put Westfield second, so they will need to over achieve for some time to be on a level playing field. This review seems pretty fair and we should also remember our cars like our children are not perfect, but we still love them There may be some useful feedback for the factory to consider. It does remind me of reading practical classics magazine driving impressions of readers restorations. You would think there was no need to invent a modern car ! I love my classic for its character but compared to a new car it's utter rubbish..?..

I agree 100%. Yes, preparing cars for test costs money - but this should always be offset by the sales revenue a positive test brings (or at least, a non-negative test!) Major car manufacturers have press garages dedicated to keeping the test cars in tip-top shape - journalists expect this, so if a car is badly presented it will be marked down immediately, even if the points seem minor.

I understand your frustrations but I drive over 40000 miles each year and I see a handful of incidents in all that time. Most are just ordinary people who make an error, not homicidal maniacs who are out to kill everyone. Maybe I am lucky or maybe I am more aware of the surroundings and drive defensively at all times and avoid getting stressed and reacting to others negatively. The example that you gave of the woman I can see that as being worthy of reporting, but it isn't your job to police the roads, that is the job of the police and as they gave continued to cut and cut, whilst keeping every layer of upper management and rank, they now rely on people like you to do their job. It is not right that we are heading on a slippery slope of public investigation, public trial and public justice. Take the vigilantes who are trapping paedophiles, most would say well done, but the question is if it is so easy for a person in his bedroom to do that why aren't the police doing it? They had the resource to investigate celebrities but not a loner from Bognor! When I was burgled, I tracked down my stolen goods on EBay the same day as the burglary and the police then went and caught the person involved. They apologised and said they do not have the man power to do that job and as we are insured it is not a big deal, but if someone went into a bank and took £20k they would act differently even though they are insured. As I said it is up to everyone to do what they feel right for them, for me the way we are encouraged to become informers for the authorities, for what in the main are minor errors on the roads is wrong.

Nick I think it only makes sense if you fit galavanised chassis but the costs then mean you need to own a while to get value

Put an @ in front so @a15cro or @Weekend Warrior

Me too

We have dash cameras in all of our vans and for protection they are good, but there is a problem with them .The problem is we now have a whole army of self righteous wannabee traffic officers deciding they are going to report anyone they do not like. We have had footage sent in showing our vans overtaking, "Breaking the speed limit" "forcing me off the road" and more often than not the complaint will contain lines like, "I had my small child with me" or "my aged relation" and yet when we look at our own footage they are not speeding, not doing anything wrong the footage sent in is distorted, wrong speed shown etc. Yet the people who have no idea of road use are arbitrarily deciding they are in the right and want action from us and the police. Now if you are driving your car and you have been reported for an incident by such a person, unless you have saved your own footage you have no proof of what actually happened. If you save it and a police officer demands the footage then you may find you have incriminated your self not necessarily for the claimed wrong from the original complaint. Add in anyone who drives anything remotely sporty is more likely to be the subject of a complaint as any overtaking appears to be a thing of the past with many roadusers not wanting you to pass. In some EU states it is illegal to film other roadusers but the UK police love this whole new army of snoopers that they have recruited. YouTube has whole channels devoted to people going "OOH look at this" It make the Stasi look like amateurs at getting people to snitch on each other the way this has spread. I am not a conspiracy nut but the surveillance of every one of us by people who feel justified just in case seems wrong to me. A chap I know who has a camera fitted says that if it is the other persons fault he will wave the chip as a weapon of proof, if he is at fault he will eat it and hope the other person has not got one. Are we so afraid of every thing in life we need footage, if so how long before we all feel justified to walk around with a go pro just in case? I find it very sad we have got here

Seems a much more balanced and thorough review this time. Points out a fair comparison of performance vs price of the catering van. Handbrake easily rectified with an s2000 lever as lots have done. The ford KA one is too ungainly and f ugly in my opinion. I chopped a good chunk off the pushrod to align the pedals, surprised the factory don't. They must have also addressed some of the handling issues as whilst they acknowledge it's not as nimble as a Caterham they don't really criticise too much so a to the factory if they are finally listening to the feedback. The factory know about the noise and judder of the race brake upgrade as Simon warned me about it when I was discussing my order. Maybe a tweaked design with Hispec is in order? Or reverting to the sweet AP calipers as the upgrade option. The comment "people will always pay a premium for a factory car" always make me chuckle. I'd pay a premium for a well built home assembled car over a factory built any day of the week! Some af the care and attention shown in a lot of the builds on here vs the built to a deadline of a factory, I know which I'd have. Anyway am sure the factory will be much happier with this review from a massive mainstream car magazine

I took the plunge and bought a set of Scroth pads as the 3 inch belts squashed through the top grommets of the Sport Turbo seats place the belts into the sides of the neck. With the pads in place the shoulder straps are much more comfortable, especially when pulled up really tight.

Thanks DonPeffers. Hopefully it's a quick Bread Van!

One tip @Stuart Faulkner - Shows & Events Coordinator gave me when I was first changing over from the type of harness that has the shoulder straps permanently fixed to the waist straps, was to plug the (left hand for the driver, right hand for the passenger) shoulder strap right back into the buckle, once you've released the buckle to get out; you can still drape them up out of the way, but having one side pre-fastened makes getting back in and strapping up again much easier, and massively reduces the chance of getting the belts twisted relative to each other.

@SimonUK They really do adjust so easy. The lap belts have a "handle" to hold onto and you just give the lap belt a pull and its the same for the shoulder belts. The shoulder belts also have a buckle that you lift up to lengthen them and it all moves so freely with no struggling. I am surprised that they don't move either once fastened considering how easily they adjust. The only thing I am getting used to is making sure I place the shoulder straps over the back of the seat when I get in so I don't sit on them. For me, the quality, ease of adjustment and how much safer I feel, they where worth the cost.

Yep sure I'll stick it up

I would make yourself a document of the personal specifications of your car. As every kit car is different and if its second hand then it will no doubt have been modified or improved by previous owners The purpose is to get to know your car and be able to order and fit parts for it when it needs them. You dont want to be in a position of something needing replacing and not being able to order the right one or if you take it to a garage they will say what vehicle is this from? The forum will help but do some diligent research of your car and reading old threads, googling part numbers etc to know what you need and where to get it. It best to know your own car and its requirements rather than wait for it to break, not be able to use it and then order the wrong part in panic/frustration and miss the nice weather whilst you wait for your delivery...... Starting at the front consider service items such as Radiator, temperature senders, coils packs, spark plugs, oil filter, air filters, brake pads, discs and calipers, what instruments, switches and dials do you have. Towards the back items like fuel pumps, filters and also suspension - dampers, spring ratings and any old geometry information it has been set to if you like the way it drives. Dont forget the fun research into your engine spec, cam, pistons, timing etc Westfield can supply some items but not everything and you will become a good internet searcher for good suppliers of obscure car parts. For instance and for a reason totally unknown, my car has a radiator temperature sender from an Alfa Romeo 164 V6 and a Ford Transit van fuel filter. I spent a long time in my local parts store opening boxes and measuring. As a closing point many of us replace our fuel hose quite frequently due to high ethanol content damaging fuel lines, if you have not done it , check the condition and ensure you order the right one for fuel injection for replacement - search the forum for "gates barricade" hose. Cheers Jon

Having seen some really nice tidy engine bays, I decided to take a look at mine, and see if I could improve in the view that already contains a mighty xflow Main thing I always got drawn to, was the return pipe from the thermostat to the header tank, basically a bit of hand bent copper tube running over the exhaust header. So, had a think and looked at other cars, and a nice hardline properly clipped down as per a photo on this forum was the way to go. This was the inspiration picture Bit of 10mm alloy tube, some blue silicone pipe, couple of P clips, and a hand pipe bender. Also routed the plug leads differently, need to source some nice clips for the leads now.

It's alive! Got my Westy back on the road today! Had the gearbox rebuilt whilst the engine was out - new selector forks, synchro cones, seals, bearings, pump and breather. Changed the clutch to an organic clutch plate, new cover, release bearing, strengthened fork (the part that failed) and a McLeod Racing lightened flywheel which took over 3 months to come from the USA. Even sailed through its MoT Happy days.