New member in Michigan USA

[Russell Brynolf]

Hello all, just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Russell Brynolf, retired engineer, and I've always wanted to build a kit car for myself. Last August I finally received my kit from Westfield, yes, here in the USA, delivered in a large crate containing many, many boxes! Not the best of assembly instructions, and several parts missing, but, overcome those issues and I'm proud to say I finished the build yesterday!!  Pictures attached. 

Next is to get it inspected and registered. To achieve this in Michigan the car is required to have bumpers front and rear at 14-22" from the ground. They will look a little stupid but that the only way to complete the inspection. Engine still runs a little lumpy, but otherwise drives great. let me know any comments or suggestions. Ta.

 

[dvd8n]

I remember you talking about those bumpers; you were going to make them out of pvc pipe if I remember correctly.  Have you made them yet? 

 

David

[RickRack]

Car looks loverly Russell, good luck with the bumpers but please send photos with the final solution. Q? Can you remove after inspection? Also are you ex-Pat? As never heard a yank sign off with Ta 🤗 Phil R

[BobMet]

Looks great, well done. Hopefully a rolling road session will iron out the lumpiness.

[Ansoeb]

Hi, looking sweet. Not sure if it's a he angle but your rear ride height looks very low or you have great roads in your state. Some wheel spacers would bring the rim out closer to the arch to. I have 20mm spacers all round on my FW.

[Ansoeb]

mo

[Flying Carrot Steve]

7 minutes ago, Ansoeb said:

Hi, looking sweet. Not sure if it's a he angle but your rear ride height looks very low or you have great roads in your state. Some wheel spacers would bring the rim out closer to the arch to. I have 20mm spacers all round on my FW.

 

 

I agree, looks great, best colour (I am biased), but it looks like your rear ride height is low and your wheels need to fill the arches more, so maybe spacers or wider rims? Mainly cosmetic, but it would look, and probably ride and handle better too. 

[Flying Carrot Steve]

6 minutes ago, Ansoeb said:

mo

 

 

Same brand I have on my Jaguar XK, top quality spacers Direnza. 

[Ansoeb]

This is where I have mine set, all to accommodate these wonderful Scottish roads!

[Flying Carrot Steve]

 

A few different shots cos it does seem the picture angle makes a difference, but here is how mine look. Not an FW I know but visually the arch filling should be about the same on both I'd guess?

 

Of course it's also personal taste to some extent but I love the way mine look.

 

All credit goes to previous owners!

 

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

Welcome, the car looks great! It'll be interesting to see the bumper solution!

 

As others have said, the rear ride height does look a little low. They handle best with the rear 20-30mm higher than the front (plenty of threads on here to help with that) and it will help reduce understeer.

 

I also run 15mm hubcentric bolt on spacers but that is so I can run 13x8 ET23 rear wheels with 215/55 or 235/45 tyres. Without the spacers, a 15x8 ET24 still fills the rear arches well with 205/50's.

[mega ade]

hi Russell welcome to wscc great choice of colour I run my car very low as well i agree with the boys great build but really need to fill those arches with spaced or wider wheels i run without spacers.

[Russell Brynolf]

On 20/06/2025 at 17:47, RickRack said:

Car looks loverly Russell, good luck with the bumpers but please send photos with the final solution. Q? Can you remove after inspection? Also are you ex-Pat? As never heard a yank sign off with Ta 🤗 Phil R

I am an expat!!  been here 28 years and still English! I will def post pictures of the bumpers as should have them done this week. BFN

[Russell Brynolf]

On 20/06/2025 at 17:30, dvd8n said:

I remember you talking about those bumpers; you were going to make them out of pvc pipe if I remember correctly.  Have you made them yet? 

 

David

will be done this week