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Since buying my car last November, I’ve checked almost every nut, bolt, wires and connectors etc that I can find. This has lead me to realising that I don’t know very much about cars. However, I’m learning, soaking up info everyday. This forum has been invaluable, what an amazing wealth of knowledge there is on here! Almost all my questions have been answered in a timely, and friendly fashion. So to those that have helped, I’d like to say a massive thank you 🙏. I’ve made a mental list of people I will hopefully get to meet and buy a slice of cake for. Roll on Spring and better days. Cheers and have a good weekend. Ian.

And this is why so many enthusiastic owners don’t like posting on the forum. I know of an AO even, with similar roll bar and not too different wheels. Just because owners aren’t attending every track day going, or competing at every opportunity does NOT make them non enthusiasts. In fact, if you take a long hard look at many meetings, you’ll find the roll bar thing in particular is rather more popular than the forum would have you believe. (And yes, for anyone taking the car on track, I’d always advise a braced bar, and for competition a cage).

What a nice post. You'll find your mental list of people is actually a list of mental people, when you get out to play😁 You have a great weekend too!

Yes, it has, and will always be the case. I agree with RobH72, just buy it and change stuff as you see fit, it's your car. I remember 30 odd years ago when I first modded my old Spitfire for racing, some members of the Triumph club never spoke to me again as in their view I had ruined a perfectly good car, others were the opposite and wanted to know what I had done and even ended up to this day as my best friends

Yes it would just fold. It's only 2 bolts either side through fibreglass. As would the jap or single rollover bar. Your absolutely right on the safety aspect, and as you say you've assessed it and accepted it. We've all seen the pics of these cars that have been in accidents and the odd one that's ended up upside down. For me the kicker is I take my kids out in the Westfield. And the slightly fugly cumbersome MSA bar might just be the difference between surviving an accident and not. For me that makes it a no brainer. But as stated before don't write off a car for one or 2 details. A few weekends work can have these cars totally transformed. You may also be better holding off as there's not that many in the classifieds lately and prices are strong. A wait might see a car in your ideal spec crop up and end up saving you the time and cost modifying one.

Will only be using this for weekend blasting around, may take on a track but would be a one off (unless I got addicted) would probably be easier if one of you would sell me your sorted car at a massive forum discount

I take no offence at any of the comments as was looking for feedback have to be honest thought the bar was for safety so a little disconcerted to find when I roll it it won’t protect me !!! Agree with the comment about the wheels, would probably swap for smaller black alloys (ok stupid question time, can I just swap for 14 or 15 inch alloys or will I need it setup as presumably would be a different height - I am an absolute beginner here ) still trying to get hold of the seller

But........ On the flip side I think it's fair to point out to a newcomer (that has specifically asked for opinions) that that bar is purely cosmetic and no way structural. Someone unfamiliar with Westfields may not be aware of that and think its a safety device. My own personal opinion is that im surprised rollover protection hasn't been brought in to IVA, however I respect other people's opinions and you pays your money and makes your choice.

Rarely have I opened a thread so nervously as this one Moderators hat was firmly in place, just in case! But thankfully no, nothing to scare the horses, here!

A bump for comedy effect...don't know what prompted it, but I just checked....and would you believe it, a 5.7 petrol V8 is actually ULEZ exempt. How mad is that!!

I think that because the op asked what we thought, then he got an answer 😁 I don’t think any of us were trying to be unfriendly though. (not changed my opinion about 17” rims though 😜)

There are always some with mouths larger than brain (in every group/club) But imo it is far far far better here than in many others places.

I know I am not even a full member yet ( any news on that admin, regarding payment?), but I have to be quite honest and say this is why I haven't joined in the past . About 10 years ago I did post some pics of my car and got slated for various mods and additions I added ( I can't even recall what they were now so long ago was it !). I decided that perhaps this wasn't the club for me and never posted again. Having said that the OP hasn't bought the car as yet, but if he did I would like to think any negative views were kept to ones self and not posted. I have to say though that for the most part this forum is a much kinder place than it once was. Richard.

If this is within your budget I would suggest inspecting it. It's a good looking base to start your westfield ownership. Look carefully at the chassis condition. Mileage would suggest its only been used for sunny day blats but if its stood outside or had any winter use it may be scabby. In my experience so long as the chassis is sound then over time all the other bits such a wheels and trim are simple a easy to swap to make the car what you really want. I bet you'll develop upgradeitus like most of us and so long as you're happy with the engine choice all other bits are relatively simple and there's lot of help here to advise

I liked it. From a distance or in certain light it looks like a completely bog standard old mini, but it will just show the occasional glimpse of something different. Very clever in my view.

Cheers guys, shes almost finished just waiting in a rolling road re map

It's probably been done, but my research was fruitless, so... I would welcome your fabrication / car building youtube suggestions. Not exactly your average "Look at my new lambo" kind of stuff, more on the "let there be sparks" side of things. I don't have any interest in these channels other than watching them, I'm not even signed in youtube user, but an avid learner of these things. It's as if I had an interest in kit car stuff... (and it has NOTHING to withdrawal symptoms after binky episode last night) So here's my non-exhaustive list, sorted by what springs to my mind first : At the top is bad obsession motorsports, Home of Binky, I believe no one would disagree : https://www.youtube.com/user/badobsessionmsport I also like the skid factory (if a little exotic ?) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUBt5_cGJpt58XBIh4RtNA Retropower. Wish I had 10% of their workshop and 2% of their skill. Home of the Gordon Murray Escort. https://www.youtube.com/user/retropowercars Colin Byrne, alfa / stratos building stuff : https://www.youtube.com/user/105colin Also in the alfa gang, Jethro Brunner : https://www.youtube.com/user/JethroJamesBronner Macro machines is also very nice. He's building a boat tail speedster. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPkfggf8vhR74k8TDa_9m8A Fanatic Builds. Amazing what you can do in a small, small garage and on a budget. Very good explanation. Triumph GT6 resto-then-restomod. https://www.youtube.com/user/MrRcFanatik Home built by Jeff. Does amazing things in his garage, wether it's upholstery or a subframe. Currently busy fitting a maranello V8 in a alfa 105 shell. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_vb_SJctymCkwnF6sAwDg Doug Bug. Building a bespoke baja racer from scratch in his garage. Amazing californian attention to detail and great explanations. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n0_ivJZHBDANHHHOWuC2A A little more on the influencer side of things, Wrench every day : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYRecH8Uqq9xtaWLrYvE1A One that I've forgotten on first attempt, ASL55 now XF motorsports, a trackday project involving a force fed AMG engine, tubes and a lot of carbon fiber : https://www.youtube.com/c/SK8215 Another one : Geoffrey Croker, from New Zealand, fighting rust on a Series 3 restoration. Contains iron oxyde. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUOfupxqzuqSL_rfzA3PENQ What about yours ?

This Thursday, the 4th, is our monthly Cheshire and N. Staffs area Skype meet! If you'd like to participate please PM me your Skype contact details and I'll add you to the list. If you don't already have Skype, drop me a PM and we'll get you set up! Thanks. (PS, Skype invite has just gone out!)

Got my wscc jacket and pretty Impressed with it. Just need the car now 😂😂

I have had a lot of convertibles and the windscreen and seat hoops are normally structural (I believe) , looking at these I assume the windscreen would be of no use in a crash, guess it’s better to not think about it. plus I am a fairly average driver (some would say down right poor) and not rolled a car yet (touching wood)

Excellent! It may protect, but not as well as a proper braced bar or cage. Plenty of owners drive with them on! 14" wheels give tyre choice problems- stick the current tyre/wheel sized into here- https://www.willtheyfit.com/ and it will advise ride height changes etc v.s. standard sizes e.g. 205/50/15's etc. It's probably worth having the suspension geo checked anyhow just so you know it's right etc.

I agree entirely!

The beauty of our Westfields is that every single one is different! Easy enough to sell a set of rims and buy a secondhand set of 15's or 13's for similar money if you don't like the 17's Doesn't look a bad price for a 2.0 zetec in the current climate. Buy it, drive it, love it and personalise it at your leisure! Enjoy!

How are we all doing? Some things have got a lot better since this point, so that’s good. Very much struggling with lockdown though I’m a social animal and it’s really grinding me down now. The wife is at work most days, then understandably wants some decompression time when she gets home whereas I’m desperate for some company. Not working hasn’t helped either, at least I had the option of a video chat with colleagues - trying to keep in touch with people and video call where I can. At this rate, god forbid, I’m tempted to get a job!

*swipes left*

I think they must have seen @Wessex's Wattune mini van restoration on it's first outing at Shepton Mallet in Nov 2019!

I'll be there! Thanks for setting it up @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary

I like it. When I saw the roof being masked for the checks I thought NO! But with the subtilness of the pearl it will pop in the sunlight, but look classic mini too.

To be clear, I am joking about the zetec, but not the 17s!

That episode was like watching paint dry......

yes, emissions is based on the age of the engine. registration is based on the age of the car, of which one major component can be reconditioned to new.

SPOILER ALERT!! Am I on my own?? Yes to the Old English White and yes to the black roof but I'm not sure about the chequer board or side graphics. Brilliant quality though and so it should be for the price...

Price for WSCC members now agreed at a reduced rate of £100 per car/driver. Extra Drivers are £30 Passengers £10 Non members £120 so you can see I have negotiated a good discount for the club Westfields are preferred but any "normal" car is acceptable All bookings should be made direct with Blyton Park Alan Mugglestone alan@blytonpark.co.uk 01427628922 07596297700 This should be great event and opportunity for the Westfields to get together on track

wanted the bucket wheel for a while now its well cool, got a display case for my Liebherr and had to get a cabinet for my office for my racing trophies as there is no room in the cabinet

Now look here guys, I'm herè, my tee shirt is here, I just need to find a different location for a pic, don't blame me I didn't resurrect this.😂 I feel a road trip coming on 🏎

It is usual for coy carp to be very sluggish in the winter and hardly move. They dont fees when the water temp is below 8deg and conserve energy by moving very little. not a good idea to see if they can move by proding them as they can go into shock and die. the more you feed them in the summer months, the more they will get used to you and start coming to the surface when they see you

Welcome from South Derbyshire, only 2 miles from Toybox in fact! Love the colour combo, those bronze TD 1.2's are very nice

Coming home from Spain 3 years ago i sold it to chap in spain out of the blue i found out she was up for sale so bought her home

I live fairly far north (Montana, USA) and at a bit of altitude (5000') so when you get a sunny and calm day in December and the roads are clear of snow you take it. It was chilly (30°F/ -1°C) so it means that the engine makes great power with all that cold and dense air while the tires have little grip. It's not the best combo now that I think of it but it sure was fun. dave