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Ready for summer after a few jobs over winter, new wide track kit, new engine and gearbox mounts, new timing and aux belts, oil and filter change, new windscreen, new tyres, various new fasteners and a new plate is the cherry on top👌 I have also just ordered a new soft bits half hood today, can’t wait for the better weather, hopefully……

Well what can you say about today apart from absolutely bl**** brilliant. Plenty of sun shine all day long. There drive out was awesome going though the peaks. The hills are alive with the sound of pop pop bangs. For dinner we then stopped off at the travelers rest for some well deserved steak and ale pie, at least I did. It was also very funny that a certain someone had ordered their food first and got it served last while we all enjoyed ours. @Andrew Clarke. Nom Nom Nom.

Just been round to my sons new house, he has a balcony.

Passed its first MOT under my ownership this morning. Not a single advisory either. So pleased!

Retired. After 46 years of building buses I've retired. There're going to have to manage without me now. I was the longest serving employee at Optare (39 years) with 5 at Charles H Roe. I officially finish on the 31st and have to go back on the 20th for the embarrassing photos, I'll post them when it happens.

We had a brilliant day out in the Cotswolds, great company and glorious weather. And plenty of early season car shenanigans. The alarm got me out of bed and I set off early to the first meeting point for the boys coming out of Bristol. Got a text message from Colin to say that his dead battery hadn't charged overnight as the charger had also died! So one down. Me and Rory made it to the Cross Hands to be joined by Rob and Ross, plus Dave in his lovely GTM. We then had a great run up through Tetbury, where Dave peeled off as he had other commitments, and then we headed up to the Classic Car Hub where we met Mark, Adrian, Sandra and Matthew. They'd managed to get prime position at the front and arranged a great line up for team Westfield. The Porsche club had to settle for round the back! Nigel took the owners photo. Plus a few other pics below, credit to Adrian for some of the best shots, including sneaking up onto the balcony: A great place to visit, and they did a cracking breakfast (was obviously too hungry to take a photo of that). After taking in the surroundings and some good chat, the Bristol boys headed for home. Adrian captured a cracking little video of us leaving, which is on the Cotswolds FB post. We almost made it back down to Tetbury before two of the cars decided to finish early. We pulled over to push Rob's car into a pub car park and sleep off a dead battery. Rob then jumped in mine and we made it a further half mile down the road before my alternator bracket snapped and we had to park mine in a random country lane. So the fun was extended for the rest of the afternoon with trailer action required! Easy fixes and it's all part of the fun I keep telling myself. Thanks for the passenger rides home Ross and Rory! Overall a great day out. Already looking forward to the next one.

A little bit of map tweaking at AP Racing Engines this afternoon, great service as usual from Andrew 👍

New Spax front shocks to replace my 30+ year old original Spax front shocks - look at the shiny shiny!

What a beautiful day we've had around the Peaks, thanks to Julie for organising. We've had a good laugh, great views and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Sue says, "The pork / lamb dinner wasn't bad either."😁

Bit of a last minute drive out this one, involving some ‘down to the wire’ negotiations my end as to if and when I could be released on parole after a week of decorating our bedroom! I definitely thought I deserved it anyway! 🤣 After some discussion, we decided that @Matt_S and @markat would meet at Re:Fuel for a quick cuppa at around 9.30am, then we would all meet up at Ralegh’s Cross at 11. Plan from then was to head for Exmoor, with Matt peeling off for home at some point, and Mark and me carrying on to Lynton for a break before heading home. My curfew was 2pm…. The clock was ticking! After the grind to get through Taunton, I had a fabulous blat up to Ralegh’s Cross, pushing on as I was running a bit late due to a fuel stop. I was thinking the chaps would be there already, tapping watches but no, I arrived to an empty car park at about 11.12, 12 minutes behind schedule. After five minutes or so, I heard the noise of a single Westfield, and Matt pulled up alone. Worst fears were quickly allayed, no accident but Mark’s cycle wing stay had apparently let go in spectacular style, resulting in a flying wing and the end of Mark’s day, from a driving perspective anyway. Mark, glad you got to meet Matt at least, and hope you get the car sorted and we get to meet soon. After a quick pit stop, Matt led off on a fun section heading for Wheddon’s Cross, where he turned off left and headed home, and so three became one. I’m beginning to wonder if my deodorant isn’t up to the job? 🤣🤣 What followed was one of the most enjoyable drives I’ve had for a while. The car was going beautifully, driver was actually pedalling quite well; with the changes I made to the pedal box last year I’m able to do credible heel and toe changes, or rather ‘foot and another part of foot’, changes; whatever they are called it worked though I doubt the name will catch on! 🤪 The road was clear most of the way across Exmoor, great fun, and I arrived in Lynton at 12.15, thinking I had bagged myself a 15 minute break. Ha, not a chance! The time home showed as having increased to 1 hour 45, so without getting out I headed up Countisbury Hill towards home. The return journey wasn’t quite as much fun; more traffic and the route not as good. Regardless, still enjoyable and I always love the final section of the A30 down into Crewkerne, starting at the wonderfully named Mangle Cave Hill and consisting of a series of sweeping downhill bends, interrupted by a 40 limit through a village, then opening up again for a final blast down into the town. It became a race against time, would I make it back before 2? Would I still have a full set of man bits by the end of the day if I was late? The tension was palpable (although I’m using a little poetic license here because I actually pulled into a lay-by at the top of the hill to allow plenty of space to the cars ahead), then I hauled down to the 30 limit entering Crewkerne. I pulled into our driveway at 1.58pm, expecting praise for being slightly early but no. Mrs Stu’s car was nowhere to be seen; she had headed for the beach with the short person and the ginger furry one! 🤪 I managed to wash and dry the car, and get a coat of paint on a radiator by the time they returned so all is well 👍. Anyway, a grand drive out on some wonderful roads. Despite being a 34 year old car, with only 135bhp it’s a heck of a lot of fun.

Matt and me at Ralegh's Cross yesterday morning

A few more photos Sue has taken.

Brilliant day out again. Fantastic weather and what a great bunch of people. Special mention for our illustrious leader @Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative for organising us. The only photo I’m going to post is my Sunday lunch. Chosen, ordered and paid for by me - eaten by Sue Westwood - who doesn’t seem to know the difference between lamb with mint sauce and the pork that she ordered. Next time I’ll insist on collecting it from the bar 😁

That was probably the best turnout to a GBS coffee morning. The weather was perfect and there was a good selection of cars to take a look at. Westfields were in attendance in good numbers. Photos stolen from @Jakejmagee so thanks to him. There is also a great video on the GBS facebook page.

We all met at the car museum for breakfast The traffic was building up on our way out this morning so we altered the route and went off piste. So glad we did, we had a great run and well done to everyone for keeping it all together. We arrived at the pub early, just in time for Jim and Julie to follow us into the car park, good timing. I am hoping the Westfield is easier to park than the SLK @Andy Westwood Lovely photo of Dave (who has his dinner btw) Oh look, Sue has got her dinner, well someone's dinner, any dinner will do hey! Yummy, I'm enjoying mine but look, Andrew seems to still be waiting Ah lovely, finally Andrew get's his lamb dinner. Sue says can you order beef next time for a change! Everyone sat outside the Traveller's Rest Parked at the Traveller's Rest Next we went to Bird Cafe, Hathersage for dessert It seems @aeg had picked up some road kill along the way

Another brilliant day out with Team Peak District

Nice shiney rear shocks. 1 against the old ond from the 98 build

Evening, had a successful day doing chores!! Right of way mowed and cleared and car taken for a test drive 👍 so see you on the morning Andy & Becky

Wow!!!!! What a great first run of the season for us, many thanks for @Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative and Glen ( driving shoes at the ready, was never going to happen mate 🤣) for organising a fabulous day. The great beyond beckons in the Peaks sun on your face, wind in your hair great to be out in 2025 the cake was good too thanks to you all for a fun and friendly day, see you soon Andy and Becky. PS no animals were harmed during the day, the only sad face seen all day was @AndrewBClarke when his dinner went missing 🤣

Absolute beautiful and fabulous day today at the GBS cars and coffee first meet of the year. Plenty of sun, cars people and best of all cake.

Anyone looking for mapping or carburettor setup give AP RACING ENGINES a try. They mapped my omex ECU running omex ITB’s. The car now drives better than I ever expected. Link below of the last run. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AMQWhr1xJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hi mate it did 173.9 it would have done more but the injectors were getting maxed out. No point risking it going lean. bigger injectors for next time I think

A quick wash after it's shakedown last weekend. Can't believe how muddy the rural roads are

No photos of my dinner before she ate it??

Scam message received this afternoon: My response: Awaiting reply with hope… 😅

Last day of dog sitting today. Then we are free again. Weather is looking gorgeous for the weekend. See you all Sunday 😊

@AndrewBClarke I’ve been practicing in my down season 🤪

I can’t tolerate the cake eating competition from the two other Andy’s @aeg or @Andy Westwood now they have come out of hibernation so will save myself for another day and bail. They have been saving themselves all winter rather than practicing the cake eating like me so I simply doubt if I could keep up.

Had a nice drive out this afternoon to Elstree Aerodrome for a cuppa and some cake. It took an extra 10 minutes to exit the carpark with people coming up to have a chat 🙂.

Car: Westfield FW Special Edition (factory built) Engine: 2.0 Blacktop Zetec Year: 2012 MOT: expires October 2025 Mileage: 35300 miles Reason for sale: An itch to scratch Info: Factory built with brand new crate engine, I am second owner (10 years) and bought the car at just over 2 years old/2500 miles. The car has been very reliable during my ownership. The car has comprehensive build photo records from the factory build along with a comprehensive documented service history from both the first owner and myself. The timing chain has been changed at 10 years old (in 2022) as recommended by Ford for the engine. Specs: MSA roll bar Omex ECU Protech coilovers with larger 2.25’’ diameter springs Sport Turbo seats Team Dynamics 15’’ lightweight Alloy wheels with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres. Lowered floor Wide track Heated windscreen Contoured Dashboard Westfield Half hood Side screens Wind deflectors Westfield Hi Spec brakes Heater Westfield rear diffuser 4 point harness’s shortened indicator pods electric mirror upgrade Cigarette lighter 12V socket & USB Race tech quick release steering boss Carbon Fibre: Carbon Fibre Mick made front splitter Carbon Fibre Silencer Carbon Fibre rear stone guards Carbon Fibre front cycle wings Carbon Fibre cill protectors Carbon Fibre gear knob Carbon Fibre fuse box covers Asking price: £14950 (excluding private plate) Please PM me if interested or Email: marcusbarlo@hotmail.com Pics from 2024: Pics from Westfield factory build 2012:

Errate .... Could not stand this nice weather despite left salt on dry nearby (on nearby hills luckily not white from salt : ). ) and took Road Westfield for a ride Few changes during winter - 2.98 first gear, lightweight 4.3 vs 8 kg flywheel , new steering rack , simplified fuel system and some minor changes . Good to be on road again ! As for the gearing - really its upgrade and more fun with donuts and starting on corners with lively rear vs original 3.6 type 9 gearbox 1st. But if I would do IT again I would go for even longer 2.7 (130 GBP more expensive but with all that work - worth it. At least with 3.92 diff). Rest works as was suppoused - more lively revving engine . New steering rack better self centering and confidence. And fuel system with swirlpot delete works ok . What a pleasure to drive Westfield around again !

I saw that FB post so went and checked mine in the garage. I can't see anything out of line at all tbh, all spot on on my car.

Hi @Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative Will be 2 if us if your booking for lunch Looking forward to our second run out

Thanks Julie , We look forward to meeting up there

TRAVELLERS REST, BRADWELL 12.30 That's more than ok Jim, it'll be great to see you and Julie x We are going to The Travellers Rest, Bradwell, Hope Valley, S33 9HG and we should be there about midday/12.30. To everyone else, please put this in your satnav/phone, thank you.

The solution to this is to be always on the move 🏎️

Sorry people it's my fault with my Facebook picture 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Am I a bit early? I can’t make tonight so I thought I would pop in for a quick photo whilst the sun was shining.

Fun times in the sunshine today

Bu**er, I’m going to notice this every time I get in and out of my car too! 🤬🤣

Looking forward to tomorrow’s runout, weather forecast is looking sunny and dry 😎 Just to confirm timings for the run: First meet at the big lay-by just down the road from the Winford Arms pub, 08.15am Second meet at the Cross Hands pub car park, around 9.00am Drive up to the Classic Motor Hub to arrive around 10am

Yea I’ll be there …hopefully sorted the hot start issues🤞

Too busy packing and unpacking your suitcases 🤪

Well go and get an MOT you loser 🤣

It looked like the garage in the photo you showed me of you in your Austin seven on the day you passed your driving test 😘

Nice day for a quick Blat!

To add onto the ARB controversy... There is no good reason to not be using the correct Antiroll bar. And I'll insist CORRECT, in the front. Rear isn't quite that necessary till you push it to the limit. But an ARB with the right stiffness range in the front is a TOOL to balance your car's behaviour. Softened to the very limit will control the roll a little bit (not a bad thing) and be very very unobtrusive to the natural behaviour of the car, while allowing you to stiffen the front end roll progressively to play with the under/over steer transition of the car, and sharpening/quickening the weight transfer into the outer wheels. Having said that, the wrong ARB, will completely ruin the front end of the car. @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman @Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO

Spotted these while out today, don’t know wether they worked or not just grabbed a quick photo for nostalgia

Nice but chilly drive up to Haynes Breakfast Club meeting this morning, flying the flag for the only Westfield there today! Kevin didn’t mind though! Had to double back on my way there though because of this…..