Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Cripes. Quote
ACW Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Is there anything worth keeping on it? would it not be cheaper to buy a low cost but right car. I cant imagine anyone with having paid a lot for that car? Quote
SteveD Posted January 15, 2014 Author Posted January 15, 2014 Is there anything worth keeping on it? would it not be cheaper to buy a low cost but right car. I cant imagine anyone with having paid a lot for that car? everything is being swapped onto a new rolling chassis wuv inc new bodywork , the whole car is just unbelievable i am struggleing to get my head around what was going through the mind of the idiots who built/modified/repaired it ,its a death trap it really is ,but it will nearly be a new car when done and will at least be safe the chassis has been brazed where its been cut about and was all cracked and coming appart before the accident even the origonal build was a bodge ,all the wishbone bolts on the rear are different sizes and put in from all directions ,wrong threaded nuts on bolts etc brake pipes are held on with p clips that are held on with nuts and bolts that have been drilled all the way through the chassis Quote
7sRWild Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Each new pic makes my brain hurt....scary to think that kind of shoddy, dangerous work really exists out there. Looking forward to seeing the happy ending to this saga... Quote
Wile E. Coyote Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 How on earth did that get through IVA/SVA? I hope the new owner isn't inadvertently sitting on a car with a dubious identity. Quote
jeff oakley Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 How on earth did that get through IVA/SVA? I hope the new owner isn't inadvertently sitting on a car with a dubious identity. I doubt that this was like this at the time it had the SVA, if indeed it underwent one. And this is the reason we have now the IVA. In the past there were too many cars that owners had built that were not well built, but did pass the MOT. In this case unless the chassis was visibly cracked bad welding is not a fail. The scope for dismantling a car on the MOT is nil so even after the IVA some cars pass the test when they would not pass the IVA again. What is sad is that someone thought this was an aceptable way to keep the car on the road and someone bought it in good faith. It is why I get frustrated on here when none technical people give out advice which, whilst well meaning, is wrong. If something isn't working fix it properly, if you do not have the skills pay someone to do it. Can you imagine if this car had the chassis break and killed a crowd of people at a bus stop? Headlines such as killer self built cars etc would be just up the tabloids street. Good to see Steve is sorting it out and hopefully the guy will enjoy it. Quote
Wile E. Coyote Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 I doubt that this was like this at the time it had the SVA, if indeed it underwent one. Which is exactly the point I raised in my second line... Quote
M444TTB Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 This is why I pay people to do things on my cars and wouldn't build my own Westfield. Although this seems to have had a fair amount of effort put in to making it a death trap! Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 ...And this is why it frustrates me sometimes when, thankfully not often, but occasionally, members seem to almost get looked down upon when asking where to take a car to get it looked at, rather than rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in. Quote
peterg Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 ...And this is why it frustrates me sometimes when, thankfully not often, but occasionally, members seem to almost get looked down upon when asking where to take a car to get it looked at, rather than rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in. I agree Dave, whenever someone on here has asked where to get something done which, to me anyway, seems a relatively simple job I have always either offered to come and help (if local obviously - Tim Reid's zetec engine swap springs to mind) or suggested they contact the local area members to see if they could help. I'd love to build my own kitcar if finances allowed but I still know my limitations and if welding or similar skill was required I'd take it to a specialist. Finally, just to comment on the original photos, I have arc welded a total of three times in my life (non-stressed bits not for a car) and even my welding looked better than the stuff round the shock mount Quote
pistonbroke 2 Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Dave are you sure thats a Westfield and not a Caterham Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Did consider making a joke about the braised joints being Caterham's idea, but decided against it! Quote
alexander72 Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Steve, this car looks like a car that's been built by a tree surgeon.... which is kind of ironic as i see trees every day that look like they have been pruned by a car mechanic.... I have to say I am very glad that Steve D is fixing this up for the owner and he can show us members (and guests) what to avoid when looking for your dream weekend sports car....... Good thread Steve - thanks mate Quote
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