SpuddyMcgee Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Hi all, Just signed up to the forums. I'm hopefully on the beginning of the road to Westfield ownership which will most likely now be for the driving season next year. But that gives me plenty of time to find the right car. I have always liked 7-style cars and full disclosure I had been looking around at other brands, including Caterhams, but keep being drawn back to Westfield. Although I know my way around cars and I have family who are/were in the motor trade i took a different career path so I am not a natural with the spanners. So ideally i would be looking for a car that was there or thereabouts that i could ease myself in with. As for usage it would be mainly for road summer blat use, but with the odd track day thrown in every now and again. I would like to do as much as i can with it, but for bigger jobs i would probably take it somewhere, at least initially. Are there any recommended specialists out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Banks Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Your best bet is to get along to you local area meet and have a chat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 from Scarborough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin (Mr T) Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 from Essex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 from Cheshire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 In your situation, I would be tempted to look for a car with fuel injection, and depending on budget, the more modern the engine, the less of a culture shock it is, if you have to use a regular garage occasionally! Fuel injected cars, whether it be after market “individual throttle bodies” (the set up that looks a bit like having twin Weber carbs), or original OEM Ford or Mazda fuel injection, from the donor car, will be easier to look after. But more importantly, when/if it does need work on it, you’re not stuck with having to find a carb specialist, as they’re getting a little thinner on the ground these days. A Zetec powered car will be easy and straightforward to maintain, parts, should they be needed are readily available, indeed, if for some dire reason you had to replace a complete engine, they can be hand, new with no miles on for under a thousand pounds! Plus, any decent Independant garage should have absolutely no problem working on one. At the same time, most of the typical jobs are also well within the diy scope... If budget doesn’t run that far, then the Pinto and Xflow cars are still fantastic Westfields to own. If perhaps a little more hands on, maintenance wise. Again, most jobs are well within diy scope. But if you do need garage assistance from time to time, it’s worth having a look out for an independant that works with old school Fords. Anyware that is used to looking after mk 1 and 2 Escorts, Capris, etc will have absolutely no fear when it comes to a classic Westfield/Ford combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpuddyMcgee Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Hi Dave, Thank you for the thorough advice, very much appreciated. Fuel injection does make a lot of sense and was kind of where I was thinking of going with it. Nothing too exotic with well known parts availability. I definitely want to get my hands dirty with it and is something I've always to do, but also need to understand i need to walk before i can run. I'm treating it as a confidence building exercise for getting stuck in. I see there are some MX5-derived Westies around. Are these worth considering? Everyone seems to rave about the donor car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Deffinately, in fact the Mazda SDV car makes an excellent choice, as being single (relatively) donor, most of the parts, such as driveline, brakes, uprights and wheel hubs/bearings etc, are all MX5, so again plenty of knowledge about. And decent for both you to work on, and a garage if you do have to take it in for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Thorne Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Come along to the next Thames Valley meet at The Bird in Hand Knowl Hill on 12th August from 12ish if you are free. There should be a variety of Westfields to have a nose around and plenty of advise available. You might even get a ride in some as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cutler (Adge) - Dorset AO Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 from sunny Someset. Best of luck in your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Taylor Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 from sunny Scotland, good luck with your search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howden Insurance - Specialist Vehicle Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 Welcome! Hope to see you at the Thames Valley meet at some point :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morley Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 Welcome from Yorkshire 🤪 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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