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To cut a long story short, my wife has been banging on about having a Caterham for a few years now. They have never appealed to me, just didn't like them. Some seemed to look like Commer vans, with wheels that sit too far inboard and I just never saw one that changed my mind. Roll forward to a couple of weeks ago when we were out on a tulip rally around Shropshire (organised by Tern Hill Hall) and there was a couple driving a red Westfield. The more I saw it, the more I liked it. Even looked good with the hood up when it started to properly rain and as a result I less begrudgingly agreed to go and have a look at some cars in the flesh with her, so a trip to Toybox was arranged. We both came away with an idea that we could actually get along with a Westfield, but had also developed some ideas as to what boxes it should tick. An email from Natalie at Toybox last night with a few pretty poor photo's of a car they'd just got in was a proper bingo. Correct shape, good colour, engine I know my way around(ish) and some tasty extras meant that we decided to go for it. So the upshot is we've placed a deposit on a car we've not seen in real life, know very little about and can't wait to get hold of! The only issue that we're hoping Andrew can address is the lack of a hood, as that's an essential for us because we like to get around and sometimes rain can't be avoided. Last year we drove to Gibraltar in our 2CV, we've done the Dordogne and Laon Historique in that too. We've also done the Italian lakes in our '72 Spitfire along with many trips to Classic Le Mans. I appreciate that the luggage capacity of the Westfield will be somewhat less than the Citroen or the Triumph, but I'm sure we can do a few French weekends if we share pants. Looking forward to becoming part of the Westfield community and currently absorbing knowledge as fast as I can. Cheers!

While I can claim no credit for the build, I am now the proud owner of a 1995 Westfield SEiW with a long and storied history here in the US. From an early appearance in Road & Track in 1996, through its current configuration at the hands of its previous owner (JohnCh), this little red beauty has seen a lot of changes, and I'm in awe of all of them. The only thing I changed was adding the WA State Collector Car plates (due to its 30+ year age) to keep from having to re-license it every year. While I might make subtle changes over time, I'm having waaaay too much fun to even consider it currently.

For me Frank Costin will always be remembered as the "cos" in Marcos with Gem Marsh being the "Mar". A design that is still fantastic today in my opinion. I am slightly biased as I live in Westbury where Marcos production ended its days. Westbury is only 5 miles from Bradford on Avon where it all began.

The 2.0 Zetec is a good engine, I had one in my first Westfield running on twin 45's. On Jenvey ITB's the blacktop will probably be in the 170-180bhp range, more than enough to put a smile on your face!

My bonnet isn't transparent either, and nor is the engine, so to me it's no different to checking the oil level on the dip stick etc.

Thanks. As for the spec erm... We both wanted the ZK bodystyle, Widebody, low roll bar, loud colour and all those boxes are ticked. As for the engine it's a 2.0 Zetec with Jenvey throttle bodies. Other than that I know just about nothing about it

A good time of the year to sell perhaps? As you say, I doubt it's VED or Insurance based. Though we know the government will continue to increases taxes on ICE to bully us into milk floats!

Hi all, new member and owner here! After much deliberating and procrastination, I have finally decided to stop all that nonsense and take the plunge into Westfield ownership... with both feet, at the deep end. Someone had to...! I'm now the proud owner of a very pretty Seight in Westfield Racing Green, which comes with some interesting legacy and may well be known to a few members. The 4.6 rover V8 EFI topped with supercharger runs hot and raucous, despite methanol cooling on boost. Delightfully terrifying. The build is superb and the previous owner had it meticulously prepared after 10 years of ownership and personalisation. A couple of small gremlins sorted already and she's back on the road. I will have one or two small things to change in the near term and I may have to swap out the original sports seats for something more accommodating of my 6'4" frame, but for now it's time to enjoy. More to come.

Hello all, just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Russell Brynolf, retired engineer, and I've always wanted to build a kit car for myself. Last August I finally received my kit from Westfield, yes, here in the USA, delivered in a large crate containing many, many boxes! Not the best of assembly instructions, and several parts missing, but, overcome those issues and I'm proud to say I finished the build yesterday!! Pictures attached. Next is to get it inspected and registered. To achieve this in Michigan the car is required to have bumpers front and rear at 14-22" from the ground. They will look a little stupid but that the only way to complete the inspection. Engine still runs a little lumpy, but otherwise drives great. let me know any comments or suggestions. Ta.

Hi everyone I'm new to the world of Westfields. A couple of weeks ago I had a fairly big accident in my weekend car. Luckily there were no serious injuries, but its left me in the market for a replacement toy. I had always fancied a Caterham, however, with my budget as it is (10k+-) I found that I was scraping the barrel somewhat with Caterhams. That led me to consider other alternatives. The first car I looked at was a local Formula 27 with a Rover V8. It seemed like a lovely thing and was bursting with character. However, there isn't a lot of information out there about them. This particular one was 50 odd years old too. As an ownership prospect, I decided it wasn't for me. That's led me to seriously consider a Westfield. The more I've learned about Westfields, the more excited I've become at the prospect of owning one. I'm currently looking at a very nice looking car with a Red Top. What advice could you guys give to someone getting into Westfields for the first time? Are there any specific things to look out for, or things to be aware of with them? Is there anything you wish you had known before you bought your first Westfield? Does anyone have any experience of red top engines in Westfields? Thank you so much for having me, and I hope to speak to some of you soon 👍

The luggage capacity on a Westfield is fine for two people on a two week euro tour 😎

@Rednop1 ist selling a complete set of front axles incl. hub and wishbones. Maybe you can find somebody to collect them and ship to you? The price is really good in my opinion

As I recall the steering arm has a tapered hole so the tie rod end can only enter from one side. This is what made me wonder aloud if the steering arms are mounted the the wrong sides...if you switched sides it would allow the tie rod end to enter from the top. dave

I may well have a newish soft bits roof coming up for sale. Twin doors and leather bag. Plus soft bits roof bars to stop it slapping your head at speed! (if you have the MSA roll bar)Only reason is Iam looking to go full cage and aero screen

Was already typing!!

I've got a hood and the frame for it sitting in my garage loft. It's grey and doesn't have doors with it as I still use those, but having just bought a part built XI kit. It's time for a garage clear out to create some £££. I've got a proper roll bar to go on the car and the hood won't go over that. My SEIW has "kit" bodywork so this hood won't fit an FW and might(?) fit a ZK.

It kinda was. My 2nd MX5 was purchased with a duff motor but near pristine bodywork (and a hard top). So I made 1 good car out of the 2 and scrapped the rusty leftovers 👍

The Mega S2000 and Sport 250 chassis have a relocated steering rack position compared to the standard chassis; it's higher, to reduce bump steer. So on these cars, the arms sit above the steering arms on the upright, with the tie rod coming in from above, and the nut going on from below. On standard chassis cars it's the other way round, with the rack connecting below the steering arms on the uprights. Agreed though, you look to have quite a steep angle there, which does look wrong. What's the front ride height set to?

Hi and welcome! There are a load of Toybox car owners in the club, I am one of them! I know Andrew pretty well, as I only live a few miles from his unit and pop in for a coffee now and again. What spec car have you decided to go for? If Andrew cannot source an appropriate hood, you can always use Softbitsforsevens who make aftermarket hoods, covers etc (although lead times tend to be long...).

@Tim Sideways welcome to a great community - a very friendly bunch with a great deal of collective knowledge about everything Westfield

As @MattV says, there are probably local members that may be able to view the car for you before you buy.... I've looked at a few (even for buyers abroad) over the last couple of years for potential owners. Obviously, its not like getting a car inspected by a qualified mechanic but most long term owners will know the main things to look for, plus you also know the seller is genuine.

The summer is always regarded as the time to sell. As for numbers, it's a difficult one, it's certainly not as high as we've seen in an (economically) bad year, it feels about average, but I've not looked at the numbers. One thing I would say, is that while we're aware the factory is selling fully built cars, kit sales seem to be negligible, and the factory builds seem to be somewhat outside of the traditional Club (potential Club) members buyers segment. As a result, I think there are a few more owners that might normally be on the fence about selling their cars deciding to help fill that void in the market. I don't think it's distorted the market particularly, but I do think it's perhaps raised the visibility.

Yeah, just the time of year most likely.

Don’t know what you mean? MX-5… rust… That was my first track car - My second one was a rust free ‘99 NB - should have kept it really.

Yeah, thanks guys. The non-transparent thing gets me too, but I like the ProAlloy window thing. Good for level, less good for checking flow I guess. I think I’m going to pick up the black coated box and see how it sits. Their other option is satin finish alloy, perhaps less in keeping with the raw alu bits and pieces, and I’m not about to start mirror polishing a header tank… Never thought this morning that by the evening I’d be talking about the aesthetics of an expansion vessel!!

Just a quick note - the Chatsworth Christmas tickets have just been released. If you are hoping to go to see the Christmas decorations at Chatsworth, before or after our party you will need to be quick to get tickets!! I've got mine!!

Don't forget to checkout the WSCC Events Calendar. 7's Speed Series Championships could be near you! Want to know how to get onto the Sprinting start line? Come along and introduce yourself! Competitor - Paul Meyer - BEC

@LoneWolf visits the UK (Macclesfield) for work periodically and has attended more Cheshire Area Xmas curries than some local members! He was keen to obtain the WSCC Torch given to members who attended the 2025 Malvern show. As we were visiting Italy this summer on our Peaky Schnitzel Pizza Processing Tour, I offered to collect one from @Marcus Barlow - Show and Events Co-ordinator and deliver to Italy for him. He was planning to take the train up the Dolomites and ride with us for a day. However this didn't happen. He arrived in the UK for a week on Saturday, so I through together an Impromptu Peaky Blat and invited a few local members along to join us. This is as much as I planned and would make up the rest depending on traffic/weather etc. The Peaky game of 'hide and seek' started just before 9am for me. @andyjs and his friend Scott with a 1.6L Sigma powered Caterham got into the Peaks before me and I'd got to collect @LoneWolf from his Hotel first. We drove towards the Cat & Fiddle from Bosley Crossroads and had a good run up. We found Andy and Scott somewhere between Pott Shrigley and Kettleshulme and had a few rounds of all cars turning round and repeatedly passing each other before all 3 cars we pointing in the same direction. After a quick stop and chat, we decided Scott could lead and he took us on a fabulous run round the Peaks. Some new to me roads and some very familiar but amazingly very light traffic considering the great weather. The cars needed a drink in Buxton. Scott uses the same approach as me to Winnat's pass- Crawl at circa 10 miles and hour on the approach and then hopefully have a clear run up. We did! Not so good when we discover Scott's battery is dead (known issue) and he's having to use a USB power bank to jump start it. His idle speed has recently been adjusted leading to it cutting out (any advice @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman I recall you having a similar issue for a while?) All the cars we'd left behind at the start of Winnat's, now sailed past as Scott jumped his car back into life. and again neat to Quackers! We stopped for a drink and some lunch at the Grouse and Claret in Rowsley A 'light' snack for Alessandro @LoneWolf Scott and Andy had to leave at this point. So I treated Alessandro to a trip through Asbo Tunnel on our way back to Macclesfield. 160 great miles covered on a bone dry day!

Completely agree. Although with the hot weather lately, and people sleeping with their windows open, there may be a few neighbours who might disagree with that this morning! 🤣🤫

Good to catch up with the chaps for the Fish & Chip run to Teignmouth this evening. Very different weather to last year when it poured down, and I forgot my cover 🤪

@Callum 7 Just a thought, but are there any club members that are closer to your intended purchase that might be able to go and check it over before you part with any money?

Maybe you could make some in Carbon..then the carbon hungry boys on here might want to buy some to get their carbon fix!

Huh, joker eh! They served a purpose and allowed it to pass inspection!! Joke really, but now they must come off!! Yes they are just 2" CPVC waste pipe with 1/2" black pipe frame and supports. Worked really well.

agreed!!! However they were good enough to pass the inspection!! Onwards!!

Nice ride from Kent to the New Forest and back today (the scenic route). Mostly A roads except for the last stretch. Spent a few hours buzzing around the Forrest roads in the sun. The traffic was hardly mooooving at times…. Stopped off for breaky in Brockenhurst and called in at Caffeine and Machine on the way home. 413 miles and a sun tan 👍🏼

Seeing as you asked so nicely… Some dusky mood lighting (it’s green, honest) and the (not so) oily bits.

A nice photo from the London to Brighton run. The photographer was lying down on the grass verge by the side of the road all day!

I was fascinated to learn that Q plates have such lenient emissions regulations. Straight pipes anyone? I had previously been put off by never getting Tax or MOT exemption, but that was before I understood more about what Q plates actually were. I learnt the hard way a couple of weeks ago how vulnerable you can be in a small car. My previous weekend car was a Honda Beat. An inexperienced driver pulled out of a junction onto a main road without looking. I got the anchors on immediately, but it was still a major impact. I was lucky that the Beat is mid engined, the front was completely flattened, however the passenger compartment held up well for a 30 year old car weighing well under a tonne. The car i had before that was a classic mini with a supercharged 1380cc. It was sketchy as f*** to be honest. It only did 12mpg so I had to carry quite a bit of fuel in the cabin, what with the thimble sized fuel tank. The power overwhelmed every other aspect of the car. As you can imagine, it was equally amazing and terrible.

Welcome! Some great points made already, the comment about you’re buying the builder/previous owner as much as the actual car is so very true! Try and soak up, via the forum, social media etc, as much info as you can about the brands of car you’re interested in; in particular, build threads are typically great for really getting to know a marque up close and personal, and seeing how builders achieve things. It helps hugely when it comes to looking at cars for sale, as you already have some familiarity. Choosing a spec that you want is tricky, sometimes it’s easier to put a list together, first must haves - the deal breakers if the car doesn’t have them, then the “would likes”, this can include things you could add later, given the right car comes up with your must haves. However, most “upgrades” on these sorts of car don’t necessarily add much value to the base price, but some do make it much more desirable. So it’s rare to get anything like the individual cost of the upgrade back at selling time. Be aware of this, and be aware that it might cost more than you think to change certain things. The big ones in this category are bodywork and engines. It’s been a rule of thumb for instance, for years, that an engine swap - to a different brand or model of engine, will cost the typical owner, doing as much as they can themselves, around £2/2500 on top of the price of the new engine! Likewise, if changing bodywork, new parts are very expensive, and even if you go for second hand, and refurb. them yourself, if you have to get them resprayed to all match, you may pay any where from £2000 upwards. On top of the S/H panel prices themselves. Of course, if you can repaint yourself, or you have lots of donor engine parts laying around around, and can fabricate parts like mounts, exhausts etc, these cost can reduce a lot. But none the less, try and get the engine and body you want from the start. (A Redtop Vauxhall C20XE is a cracker in a Westfield, btw.) And if buying a project, cost up what you’d have to do before buying, and make sure the sale price factors that in!

Hi folks, Recently joined the forum after purchasing a 2002 SEiW last weekend from a colleague. Had various cars over the years with high power but nothing has compared to the fun I had driving this home last weekend, pure joy. It currently has a 2ltr Zetec Silvertop with twin carbs. Recent rebuild of engine with Raceline head and cams. Plans are to swap the carbs for ITBs, refresh the suspension and then just enjoy. Took delivery of some Pro Race 1.2s and Rainsport 5's this week so they will be first up. One question I have is today when driving it in to work (after filling up), it cut out a couple of time on when either on a bend/turning/omn a roundabout. It's a very quick blurp and then fine again. Assuming something to do with fuel starvation but cant figure out where its came from. At the same time a slight squeal has started which seems to be coming from manifold side not the front. Anyway, great car and great fun. Hopefully meet some of the local members at some point 😁 Arran

Great job👍 Why don’t you leave them on permanently? 😉 Is that just solvent weld waste pipe?🤔

Front and rear bumpers - designed and built and hopefully will meet the Michigan state requirements

Not been on much since last post. Fixed the initial cut out problem with the wiring but seemed tonight doing it now and again in 3rd when going uphill under full power - will need to check the fuel float again. In other news, got the pro race 1.2s on wrapped in new rainsport 5s, much better. Picked up a C7 RS6 as a new daily last month also. Silly power, have to say though had the Westfield out tonight and just a complete different type of fun!

Nope, can't see it......