My Westfield journey properly begins (and some newbie Stoneleigh questions)

[Andy Malone - Editor]

Hi,

So after introducing myself here when first signing up, I'm very pleased to say I've formally joined 'ownership status' as of Saturday evening with the delivery of my lovely SE!

 

 

It was a bit of a mad dash to get the garage ready as I'd sort of planned for it to be coming over on the Sunday (and had planned a run to the tip in the tin top beforehand to make room), but managed to get things sorted enough for the car to go straight in (and thankfully it fits!).

BEFORE...

 

AFTER...

 

I took her out for a first short run on Sunday and all I can say is 'wow'. It's been a while since I've driven one of these types of cars and I'd forgotten how raw, visceral and utterly compelling they are to pilot around the countryside.  I definitely need to get a few more runs under my belt to get used to it, primarily things like driving position (I'm a sleight, short guy) and getting used to the visibility on roads (I've previously only driven 7-style cars on track/autotest conditions - a busy town was suddenly a different kettle of fish) and also the general feel and character of the car braking/shifting/engine sounds. Love it already though!

The family are also quite keen. My wife - although still a bit hesitant - thinks its a beauty. One initial issue is I left the internal door open for a bit and the ground floor of the whole house smelt of warm oil for an hour or so which she wasn't too keen on, need to work on a solution to that. However my young son saw it Sunday morning properly and proudly announced "Daddy's new toy!" before getting settled into his future seat.

 

 

Anyway, that's enough of a rambled reintroduction. All I'll say is I'm very happy to now be a fellow owner!

Just a couple of Stoneleigh questions/queries from a newbie...

1. I'm not going to be bringing the Westfield as I think the long distance round trip is an ambitious shake down for a car I barely know, however I'll be coming down (probably on the Sunday) in my tin top. As a new member of WSCC is it best just to find the stand and find someone to say 'hi' to, or should I be seeking out someone specific out on the day?
2. I'd really like to have a look at/sit in some other Westfields to gather up ideas for mine (and try out some wet weather options, etc...). Is that likely to be possible or do people tend to leave their cars and wander off for the day?
3. I've already got a short (read: long) list of bits and pieces I'm looking for at the show but not sure how much cash to bring along with me. Do trade stands take cards on the day? Are there any facilities to get money out there if needs be or do I need to come prepared? Is it worth digging out the old cheque book?

Thanks, see you there!

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

5 minutes ago, Andy M said:

Anyway, that's enough of a rambled reintroduction. All I'll say is I'm very happy to now be a fellow owner!

Just a couple of Stoneleigh questions/queries from a newbie...

1. I'm not going to be bringing the Westfield as I think the long distance round trip is an ambitious shake down for a car I barely know, however I'll be coming down (probably on the Sunday) in my tin top. As a new member of WSCC is it best just to find the stand and find someone to say 'hi' to, or should I be seeking out someone specific out on the day?
2. I'd really like to have a look at/sit in some other Westfields to gather up ideas for mine (and try out some wet weather options, etc...). Is that likely to be possible or do people tend to leave their cars and wander off for the day?
3. I've already got a short (read: long) list of bits and pieces I'm looking for at the show but not sure how much cash to bring along with me. Do trade stands take cards on the day? Are there any facilities to get money out there if needs be or do I need to come prepared? Is it worth digging out the old cheque book?

Thanks, see you there!

Welcome Andy! Nice looking motor! It's our Cheshire meet this Thu- if you fancy a run over: 

 

 

1. There's will be lots of folk in WSCC T- Shirts, you should find us all equally welcoming!

2. This will be possible as many members allow their car to be sat in etc. on the stand, again, just ask !

3. Most stands take card and there may even be a cash machine on site?

Hope to see you. I'll be there in 'Bagpuss' on Sun and Mon.

 

[BenD]

as ian says welcome to the club. im pretty sure there is a cash machine on site as ive used it a couple of times. head for the marquee there should be plenty of people around to talk to and mingle with

[Andy Malone - Editor]

Great, thanks for the info. Looking forward to it.

[Andy Malone - Editor]

2 hours ago, IanK (Bagpuss) said:

Welcome Andy! Nice looking motor! It's our Cheshire meet this Thu- if you fancy a run over:

Thanks. Getting out mid-week evenings are tricky at the moment (especially getting over that far) with work and my lad but I'll certainly try and get over sometime to "bring the car home" for a run  

[Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO]

Welcome to the club, I'll be at Stoneleigh all weekend and you'remore than welcome to have a look at my car, it's a narrow bodied SE with a crossflow too. 

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

 

What a lovely looking car. 

[Paul Gibney - Lancashire AO]

Andy what better way to learn about the car than a drive to Stoneleigh in convoy with roughly 20+ other Westys .

see north west to Stoneleigh in local meetings section..

failing that join us in the tin top as support car.

[Peter Robinson]

50 minutes ago, Robin (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO said:

Welcome to the club, I'll be at Stoneleigh all weekend and you'remore than welcome to have a look at my car, it's a narrow bodied SE with a crossflow too. 

I would bring mine Narrow SE with a xflow but my tank only take £24 of fuel and I only have  four gears and coming from Hythe in Hampsire would be an awful long journey with me being chubby and the car rather skinny  

Staying overnight in the Holiday Inn Lemington Spa Saturday and coming up in the tin top.

My first one so looking forward to seeing some of the lovely Westys

[Andy Malone - Editor]

21 minutes ago, paul gibney said:

Andy what better way to learn about the car than a drive to Stoneleigh in convoy with roughly 20+ other Westys .

see north west to Stoneleigh in local meetings section..

failing that join us in the tin top as support car.

Ha, very true except I want to sort a couple of bits on it first as well. I'll check out the thread though and potentially be on hand in TDI support duties  

[Mighty Mart]

4 hours ago, Peter Robinson said:

I would bring mine Narrow SE with a xflow but my tank only take £24 of fuel and I only have  four gears and coming from Hythe in Hampsire would be an awful long journey with me being chubby and the car rather skinny  

Staying overnight in the Holiday Inn Lemington Spa Saturday and coming up in the tin top.

My first one so looking forward to seeing some of the lovely Westys

Do it Pete!

ive been up in mine for the last two years and it's great fun. Especially meeting up with the Swindon lot and being part of a convoy!

Mart.

[Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO]

4 hours ago, Peter Robinson said:

I would bring mine Narrow SE with a xflow but my tank only take £24 of fuel and I only have  four gears and coming from Hythe in Hampsire would be an awful long journey with me being chubby and the car rather skinny  

Staying overnight in the Holiday Inn Lemington Spa Saturday and coming up in the tin top.

My first one so looking forward to seeing some of the lovely Westys

Come in the Westfield, I have a 5 speed box but last year I drove from Leeds to Silverstone with @Andy_R in his 4 speed crossflow, before he went all V8. It can be done. 

[Andy_R]

9 hours ago, Robin (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO said:

Come in the Westfield, I have a 5 speed box but last year I drove from Leeds to Silverstone with @Andy_R in his 4 speed crossflow, before he went all V8. It can be done. 

Even in the wet it was a surprisingly nice drive down to Silverstone with 4 gears. If you are creative there is also a lot of room in the car for camping supplies assuming you haven't got another passenger.