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Showing content with the highest reputation since 09/07/25 in all areas
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19 points
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19 points
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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.17 points
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Not to be out done by @Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset I had my own early start this morning. Up at 2am to catch the sunrise at Glencoe. The Bridge of Orchy and Rannoch Moor were particularly stunning, though I don't think the pictures actually do it justice. Home via Castle Stalker, of Monty Python fame. 6hrs round trip and 270mls.12 points
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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 👍🏼12 points
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11 points
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@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!9 points
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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 Classique 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!8 points
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7 points
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Honestly, I was 50:50 about buying, but seeing in the flesh I found the engine an inspired work of art, which convinced me that the craziness was worth it. That, and my 13 yo son behind me saying “do it, do it, do it”!!!!7 points
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6 points
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Just to let everyone know, the new Club website is now live; as we were all painfully aware, the old one was terribly out of date, and also represented a different, older approach to the structure of such things, that didn't really take into account social media, and the spread of different on-line areas we now cover. The aim, apart from making sure everything was current, and would be easier to keep current, was to simplify everything dramatically, and rather than having multiple links to navigate around the site itself, it would serve as a hub, where you could find out about what we do, and then jump off into our other sites, such as the forum, from there.4 points
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4 points
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4 points
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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!4 points
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3 points
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Yip, not been without one since 2009, trusty steeds that never let you down. However someone seems to have replaced the springs on mine with marshmallows and fitted a steering wheel from a bus, since I last used it. 🤔3 points
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Wife's raging though.... we're going to a 60th party and BBQ this afternoon and I'm going to fall asleep 🤣3 points
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3 points
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agreed!!! However they were good enough to pass the inspection!! Onwards!!3 points
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As Captain said, prepare and give them your expectations and sound rational. I too have been through the pain with a tin top and did just that, list of cars with similar mileages, specs and ages. they could not really argue too much once the evidence was provided. it may be quite easy with a factory spec Mondeo but as it's potentially difficult to find an exact match for a Westi you may have to provide some higher and lower spec cars and justify where yours sits. You may even be able to talk to people like toy box on the likely price they'd be selling a car of that spec for. good luck3 points
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Don't be put off by a Q plate either - it can be so much easier at MOT time regarding emissions... A Red Top will give plenty of options performance wise, feel pretty quick as standard anyhow. Biggest thing IMO to be aware of is how vulnerable you are, especially as the general standard of driving is so poor nowadays. You really need to drive defensively when in traffic - more like being a biker... Payback is in spades though - miles more bang per buck in a seven type car than super cars costing 10-20 as much - at least in smiles per mile. Remember, whilst sat in your seat, you could touch the road surface with your hand. This multiplies the driving experience and makes you feel as though you are going twice as fast as you are...3 points
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2 points
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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.2 points
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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!2 points
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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.2 points
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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.2 points
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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 it2 points
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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!2 points
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2 points
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Thanks Ian, loved every minute of the run. Best fun I've had in a Westfield so far, waiting for mine to be completed 😆 And thanks @Marcus Barlow - Show and Events Co-ordinator for the torch, really appreciated 👍2 points
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2 points
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If the original SVA test still holds, and there’s not much to say otherwise, it looks like a wet weight of 780kg, and evenly split between axles. I do plan on getting the car onto a dyno at some point, just to know what it’s capable of, but advice appreciated and well heeded @Flying Carrot Steve, thanks. The current rubber is starting to age, particularly having been off road for a few years, so even in the heat the back’s a little twitchy. Peak power is one thing, but it’s the getting there… the constant high torque and linear delivery with the blower is something else. Anyway, you can tell I’m pleased with it. over 400 per tonne is probably right, but maybe not too much more. Going from 25 in 3rd to… err… not 25 at 6k rpm last night with the sun setting over the South Downs, in convoy with a group of porkers heading home from the FOS last night was a proper treat.2 points
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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! 🤣🤫2 points
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2 points
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2 points
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Yeah, I had a convertible TT for a while about 7 years ago, the kit car lads gave me a hard time so I sold it to my brother-in-law, 6'3 and hard as nails, he doesn't get the same problem for some reason 😂2 points
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2 points
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A bargain for anyone who just happens to need some right now. Not such good news if you've just laid out £2k on some from WSC though! 😂2 points
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2 points
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Maybe you could make some in Carbon..then the carbon hungry boys on here might want to buy some to get their carbon fix!2 points
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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.2 points
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2 points
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My personal experience with writing off a tin top or two is that the offer might be low. Don't be afraid to reject the offer if it doesn't match your expectations. Reject it politely and firmly, explaining in detail (include evidence of the sale price of other Westfields of similar age and equipment levels) why you think the valuation is too low in your opinion, and tell them to go back and reconsider, then contact you back.2 points
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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.2 points
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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!2 points
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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 😁 Arran2 points
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2 points
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The first two paragraphs seem a little redundant now..... 🙂 Check the float levels. The bowl in the carb should hold enough fuel to get you around a sharp bend or roundabout without cutting out. If the float levels are too low then you might not have such a "reserve". At the same time check cables into the spark ECU and coil pack just to be sure there's nothing loose that's cutting spark with lateral g forces. Give the cables a wiggle when the engine is running - if there's an issue with the wire you should get the same effect. There's a good few threads on what you need for changing from carbs to ITBs if you have a dig around in tech-talk.1 point