Swept or cycle ?

[Kingster]

Carbon cycle wings for me 

[mikef]

Having come to Westfields from the "dark side" I have experienced both but prefer cycle wings since it makes it easier to work on the engine

 

[Captain Colonial]

It’s all a matter of preference and taste

 

 

Of course, if swept wings aren’t your preference, you have no taste! 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

1 hour ago, mikef said:

Having come to Westfields from the "dark side" I have experienced both but prefer cycle wings since it makes it easier to work on the engine

 

Hence my “quick release” ish flared arches, it takes a couple of minutes to whip one off and it doesn’t need any access from inside the car.

[Simon Waterfall Syman84]

Some may say I'm greedy but I couldn't decide so I have one car with swept and one car with cycle. 🤗

 

[Kingster]

19 minutes ago, syman84 said:

Some may say I'm greedy but I couldn't decide so I have one car with swept and one car with cycle. 🤗

 

So has@Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary 😁

[BigSkyBrad]

Am I the only one converting from cycle to swept?  Have bought a set to fit as a winter project. Our car looks more classic than racer with it's subtle decor and full chrome package so I reckon the swept wings will add to the flavour - plus I'm hoping they'll help in preventing water finding it's way past the doors and getting the soggy elbow syndrome.

 

Whether you'd have them on your car or not, it does look cool following a swept-wing car through the twisties!

 

@Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary  Have you noticed the droop of the FW boot somewhat mirrors the sweep of the wings - like it was meant to be?!

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

1 minute ago, BigSkyBrad said:

Have you noticed the droop of the FW boot somewhat mirrors the sweep of the wings - like it was meant to be?!

 

Ive not been able to get a good side view picture yet- but yes, that looks like it could be an unexpected bonus!

 

Someone, alluded to the aesthetic issue with the cycle wings/normal bodywork* earlier. Purely from a design point of view, there are a number of angles around the side on that cycle winged versions just don't work so well - don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying they look bad, just that the swept style breaks up a rather clumsy section of bodywork better.

 

I tin the problem stems from when the tubs were adapted to take modern, taller engines. If you look at an early, low-line nose and bonneted Westfield, the line up from the tip of the nose to the scuttle, is much more cohesive and graceful, and side on, with cycle wings has a really good, well proportioned look, that works very well.

 

However, when the front edge of the bonnet was raised, and the whole bonnet line flattened off to suit newer twin cam engines, that whole transition from nose to bonnet just doesn't work as well, and makes the front of the car look dumpy and heavy, by comparison, when there is nothing there to break it up. The flared arches break this effect up really well, giving more of the oldsleek, graceful look.

 

I guess when it comes down to it, the proportions of narrow low-lines/pre-lits etc were just right to begin with.

 

*FW bonnets do better, but still don't have the lovely sweep of a low line, though the actual FW400 itself comes closest of any "modern" Westfield I've seen.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Oh and yes, swept wings do make a massive difference to the amount of spray coming up the sides of the cockpit.

 

And before anyone throws in the old lift thing, there might be a small amount of measurable lift increase, but as long as the rest of the car is properly set up, just like any other Westfield, there is no appreciable feel of lift or lightness even at considerable speed. I've had mine the other side of 130mph, (obviously not UK public road), with no noticeable difference to cyclewinged cars I've driven.

 

So go with what you like the looks of and don't be afraid to try something different.

[BigSkyBrad]

12 hours ago, Steve (sdh2903) said:

...set of carbon swept wings to give the ultimate in contradiction of modern vs classic

 

I've actually been thinking about this!

 

Because the black gelcoat of our car has a milky? hue to it (plus years of micro-scratches), if i get my new swept wings painted black they aren't going to colour match, and look too new (ie. stand out like dogs b*****k*). So I thought of getting them, and the rear arches, hydro-dipped in carbon effect - we alrady have the carbon-look stone protectors. Yes/no? - will that negate the classic look?

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

1 hour ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said:

Oh and yes, swept wings do make a massive difference to the amount of spray coming up the sides of the cockpit.

 

And before anyone throws in the old lift thing, there might be a small amount of measurable lift increase, but as long as the rest of the car is properly set up, just like any other Westfield, there is no appreciable feel of lift or lightness even at considerable speed. I've had mine the other side of 130mph, (obviously not UK public road), with no noticeable difference to cyclewinged cars I've driven.

 

So go with what you like the looks of and don't be afraid to try something different.

I've watched cockpit videos of my swept wing car on track and there's very little perceptible movement of the wings due to airstream, but they do flap a bit as they are none-too rigid. Try lifting them by hand and even the slightest upward force moves them very obviously.

[Captain Colonial]

1 hour ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said:

And before anyone throws in the old lift thing, there might be a small amount of measurable lift increase, but as long as the rest of the car is properly set up, just like any other Westfield, there is no appreciable feel of lift or lightness even at considerable speed. I've had mine the other side of 130mph, (obviously not UK public road), with no noticeable difference to cyclewinged cars I've driven.

 

I’ve been saying this for many years now.  Nice to have someone with brains back me up! 

[DamperMan]

Let me tell you the story of my first drive in the Westfield in rain.  All was ok until I turned a little right and the water off the tyre washed my face and hydrated my mouth.      Cycle wings are good for the full alfresco feeling.  

[SootySport]

My preference is cycle wings but swept look good on an old style Westfield. Swept looks fabulous on a solid colour cars with all chrome fittings and old school wheels,. Cap'n Colonial' s is a good example of how it should be.

[Captain Colonial]

On 21/07/2019 at 23:03, SootySport said:

My preference is cycle wings but swept look good on an old style Westfield. Swept looks fabulous on a solid colour cars with all chrome fittings and old school wheels,. Cap'n Colonial' s is a good example of how it should be.

 

Your cheque’s in the post mate  🤣