Westfield FW body v SEIW chassis length.

[SeftonH]

After much legwork, miles, and viewings I now know that anything less than a SEIW sized westfield is too tight. 

This has reduced many cars from my list of options, having to pass on a couple of great little cars I simply dont fit, and this is making me reconsider both my budget and what is out there. 

I read the FW body is also a 'widebody' but width isn't my issue. Of course cars can be built all manner of customized ways to fit their builder etc but all else being equal, are the FW body cars the same length cockpit as the SEIW chassis cars ?? Was it only a cosmetic skin change on the SEIW platform ? 

[Captain Colonial]

14 minutes ago, SeftonH said:

I read the FW body is also a 'widebody' but width isn't my issue.

Trying to help here - I’m guessing your issue is height?  SeWs can be made more comfortable for the tall squad via lowered floors, thinner (GRF or CF) seats, reducing the steering wheel diameter and position it closer or further away and in extremis, getting a taller windscreen.

 

The National Kit Car Show is next Saturday and Sunday at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern.  I’d strongly advise you go, come to our outdoor stand, look at our cars and talk to their owners.  You might even be able to try a few on for size.  You’ll probably not get a better chance this year (weather permitting of course and fingers crossed).

[SeftonH]

5 minutes ago, Captain Colonial said:

Trying to help here - I’m guessing your issue is height?  SeWs can be made more comfortable for the tall squad via lowered floors, thinner (GRF or CF) seats, reducing the steering wheel diameter and position it closer or further away and in extremis, getting a taller windscreen.

 

The National Kit Car Show is next Saturday and Sunday at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern.  I’d strongly advise you go, come to our outdoor stand, look at our cars and talk to their owners.  You might even be able to try a few on for size.  You’ll probably not get a better chance this year (weather permitting of course and fingers crossed).

Yes I should have said.. I am 190cm (6'3" I think) and long legged. Brother is worse with size 14 feet !! But then I am buying it so he can make it work if he wants !! 

I will absolutely be at Malvern. I have personal issues of only being in the uk a few months (if that) a year.. So I have quite limited time to find one or I get into the final weeks and spending on a toy becomes foolish, it also makes tinkering and modifying less realisitic. I need to buy one to drive more than I can buy one to modify for my needs.. I was all set on it being possible however until this week, I just didnt know that so many of the lower priced ones, simply are too small for me to get into. I viewed an R6 Tiger (2l zetec, good build quality) yesterday that if I was sub 6ft I would own already. 

 

[SeftonH]

Theres an FW in the classifieds that I am considering another trek to view.. 

[Flying Carrot Steve]

2 hours ago, Captain Colonial said:

Trying to help here - I’m guessing your issue is height?  SeWs can be made more comfortable for the tall squad via lowered floors, thinner (GRF or CF) seats, reducing the steering wheel diameter and position it closer or further away and in extremis, getting a taller windscreen.

 

The National Kit Car Show is next Saturday and Sunday at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern.  I’d strongly advise you go, come to our outdoor stand, look at our cars and talk to their owners.  You might even be able to try a few on for size.  You’ll probably not get a better chance this year (weather permitting of course and fingers crossed).

 

 

Yeah, what the Captain said! Basically same as I advised in our DM chat.

[Captain Colonial]

47 minutes ago, SeftonH said:

Yes I should have said.. I am 190cm (6'3" I think) and long legged. Brother is worse with size 14 feet !! But then I am buying it so he can make it work if he wants !! 

I will absolutely be at Malvern.

Well, at least we’ll see you coming from a distance!  Don’t bother with my car, it’s a narrow.  The other thing is if you find something, buy some driving shoes, makes a difference in the footwell.

[Euan Hoosearmy]

Wide chassis cars with Kit, ZK and FW bodywork are basically the same. Transmission tunnels vary, type 9 gives the most seat/footwell width, then MT75, then SEight. Not sure where the mazda boxes fit in on the scale.

[jaykay42]

Hi!

Try a few - it can be done and even relatively comfortable.

I'm about 194cm, long legs and huge size 14 feet and my SEiW fits fine. 

I sat in a few cars that on paper were the same, but I didn't fit at all.

Aim for T9 gearbox as mentioned above and top mounted pedals - my floors aren't lowered and I have Westfield Sports seats, so not wafer-thin.

Good luck!

[Flying Carrot Steve]

 

I'm not sure if it's the same on all Westfields but my drivers side cabin is wider than the passenger side, may be of relevance if sharing a car between two drivers 

[SeftonH]

16 minutes ago, Euan Hoosearmy said:

Wide chassis cars with Kit, ZK and FW bodywork are basically the same. Transmission tunnels vary, type 9 gives the most seat/footwell width, then MT75, then SEight. Not sure where the mazda boxes fit in on the scale.

Thats the confirm I was seeking. Many thanks. I can see a drive to Kent in my near future. 

Width didnt feel like an issue even on the smallest of cars.. It was length and head being above the windscreen line with some cars where the seat was on runners and or thicker. 

[SeftonH]

6 minutes ago, jaykay42 said:

Hi!

Try a few - it can be done and even relatively comfortable.

I'm about 194cm, long legs and huge size 14 feet and my SEiW fits fine. 

I sat in a few cars that on paper were the same, but I didn't fit at all.

When you say other cars you mean other widebody westfields or other marques ?? 

Curious on MK chassis size, or other kits which seem to pop up cheaper than the wide westies I am seeing. Really was dissapointed that the tiger was so small, everything else about the car was ideal.. Budget, build, engine, etc was all perfect, but no amount of mods, seat tweaks etc would make that work for me. 

[Flying Carrot Steve]

1 hour ago, SeftonH said:

When you say other cars you mean other widebody westfields or other marques ?? 

Curious on MK chassis size, or other kits which seem to pop up cheaper than the wide westies I am seeing. Really was dissapointed that the tiger was so small, everything else about the car was ideal.. Budget, build, engine, etc was all perfect, but no amount of mods, seat tweaks etc would make that work for me. 

 

Have you considered surgery @SeftonH? It's very good these days 😂

[mega ade]

Two of the largest type 7 kitcars are the dax rush and luego velocity both are bigger than a westfield check them out if you haven't already

[jaykay42]

3 hours ago, SeftonH said:

When you say other cars you mean other widebody westfields or other marques ?? 

Curious on MK chassis size, or other kits which seem to pop up cheaper than the wide westies I am seeing. Really was dissapointed that the tiger was so small, everything else about the car was ideal.. Budget, build, engine, etc was all perfect, but no amount of mods, seat tweaks etc would make that work for me. 

Hi!

I wouldn't have ruled out any brand, but I only happened upon Westfields.

However, the difference between individual cars can be huge!

[Kingster]

As others have mentioned, FW relates to bodywork not the chassis size. However, as the FW body is a later design, then it will be on an SEiW chassis and will almost certainly have lowered floors. Therefore it will likely be more suited to the taller owner. I say “likely” because being a kit car, you just never know!