2001 SEIW for sale in USA - I'd appreciate your insights and expertise

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

4 hours ago, Kingster said:

It’s the same for Lotus. Over here a decent low miles S2 Exige is £30-40k, yet over the pond the same car is $60-80k (or more)

 

Same with Caterhams, Locost etc.... often 50% more expensive across the pond

[Davemk1]

On 28/10/2024 at 08:47, TallGuySmallCar said:

Hello from Colorado, USA. I'm a petrolhead of the worst kind and have long been on the hunt for a kit car of sorts to build and drive. The demands of work and family make a Cobra or Exocet build unrealistic at this time, so this nearly finished Westfield for sale locally has piqued my interest:

 

2001 Westfield SEIW (wide) factory assembled LHD car. Rebuilt Ford Zetec 1800 fi engine and new Ford MT75 5 speed manual transmission. 0 miles on the car with clean TN title (as a 1964 Lotus Super). The car needs final assembly of all intake and exhaust components and replacing clutch slave cylinder due to leaking cylinder seal. I purchased this from the original owner who couldn’t complete it due to health reasons. I planed on completing my dream car but due to my move to AZ.  I’m out of state now and no place to work on it. It is time to let someone else complete this. Everything is there to complete this project including all fuel injection and exhaust parts. Top with side curtains included (good condition). The  Westfield has the locking boot (luggage compartment). The seats are still soft and supple and in good condition, even the tires are new, but out of date. VDO gauges with odo reading zero. Weather is quickly changing in Colorado so time is getting short to buy this for a winter project. This Westfield was over $30k new from factory. Includes modules one, two  and three from Westfield Sports Cars UK.

 

The asking price is $18K.

 

 

A few things I'd like your thoughts on:

 

1) General thoughts on this vehicle? It's 23 years old but has never been driven. The asking price is $18K, or about £14K. The Lotus 7 variant market in the USA is a tiny fraction of what it is in the UK, so there are very few comps for such a car.

 

2) I'm a tall guy: 6'4" and relatively svelte at ~210lbs. I do not fit in a standard-width Caterham, but I do fit in the wide SV. I'd appreciate thoughts on fit from those of you who share my need to do yoga getting in and out of these kind of vehicles.

 

3) "The car needs final assembly of all intake and exhaust components and replacing clutch slave cylinder due to leaking cylinder seal." I'd love your guess at the level of effort required based on this description and images. It looks like the clamshell wings aren't fixed. I'd want to switch to cycle-style wings/fenders anyway, as I much prefer that look.

 

4) What are the standard wheel dimensions? These wheels are very 2001; I'd prefer something different.

 

5) What color is this? Is this a standard Westfield color option or something custom?

 

I appreciate your input and look forward to it!

Did you ever get a chance to check out the car? How did you fit?

 

dave

[TallGuySmallCar]

11 hours ago, Davemk1 said:

Did you ever get a chance to check out the car? How did you fit?

 

dave

Thanks to everyone for the input, and apologies for the belated response. I haven't checked out this car in person, but your input on it shows it's not the right car for me. The most precious resource I have right now is time, and I just haven't enough of it to do what's needed to get the car in a good place in light of other obligations.

 

I will be keeping an eye out for other 7s for sale in the USA. I'm still very keep on owning a 7, just not this one.