What have we done?

[Tim Sideways]

To cut a long story short, my wife has been banging on about having a Caterham for a few years now. They have never appealed to me, just didn't like them. Some seemed to look like Commer vans, with wheels that sit too far inboard and I just never saw one that changed my mind. Roll forward to a couple of weeks ago when we were out on a tulip rally around Shropshire (organised by Tern Hill Hall) and there was a couple driving a red Westfield. The more I saw it, the more I liked it. Even looked good with the hood up when it started to properly rain and as a result I less begrudgingly agreed to go and have a look at some cars in the flesh with her, so a trip to Toybox was arranged. We both came away with an idea that we could actually get along with a Westfield, but had also developed some ideas as to what boxes it should tick.

An email from Natalie at Toybox last night with a few pretty poor photo's of a car they'd just got in was a proper bingo. Correct shape, good colour, engine I know my way around(ish) and some tasty extras meant that we decided to go for it. So the upshot is we've placed a deposit on a car we've not seen in real life, know very little about and can't wait to get hold of!

 

The only issue that we're hoping Andrew can address is the lack of a hood, as that's an essential for us because we like to get around and sometimes rain can't be avoided. Last year we drove to Gibraltar in our 2CV, we've done the Dordogne  and Laon Classique in that too. We've also done the Italian lakes in our '72 Spitfire along with many trips to Classic Le Mans. I appreciate that the luggage capacity of the Westfield will be somewhat less than the Citroen or the Triumph, but I'm sure we can do a few French weekends if we share pants.

 

Looking forward to becoming part of the Westfield community and currently absorbing knowledge as fast as I can.

Cheers! 

[Stuart]

@Tim Sideways welcome to a great community - a very friendly bunch with a great deal of collective knowledge about everything Westfield

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

Hi and welcome!

 

There are a load of Toybox car owners in the club, I am one of them! I know Andrew pretty well, as I only live a few miles from his unit and pop in for a coffee now and again.

What spec car have you decided to go for?

 

If Andrew cannot source an appropriate hood, you can always use Softbitsforsevens who make aftermarket hoods, covers etc (although lead times tend to be long...).

[Tim Sideways]

50 minutes ago, Rob Hunter - Club Secretary said:

Hi and welcome!

 

There are a load of Toybox car owners in the club, I am one of them! I know Andrew pretty well, as I only live a few miles from his unit and pop in for a coffee now and again.

What spec car have you decided to go for?

 

If Andrew cannot source an appropriate hood, you can always use Softbitsforsevens who make aftermarket hoods, covers etc (although lead times tend to be long...).

Thanks. As for the spec erm...

 

We both wanted the ZK bodystyle, Widebody, low roll bar, loud colour and all those boxes are ticked. As for the engine it's a 2.0 Zetec with Jenvey throttle bodies. Other than that I know just about nothing about it

[Euan Hoosearmy]

I've got a hood and the frame for it sitting in my garage loft. It's grey and doesn't have doors with it as I still use those, but having just bought a part built XI kit. It's time for a garage clear out to create some £££. I've got a proper roll bar to go on the car and the hood won't go over that.

 

My SEIW has "kit" bodywork so this hood won't fit an FW and might(?) fit a ZK.

[Tim Sideways]

20 minutes ago, Euan Hoosearmy said:

I've got a hood and the frame for it sitting in my garage loft. It's grey and doesn't have doors with it as I still use those, but having just bought a part built XI kit. It's time for a garage clear out to create some £££. I've got a proper roll bar to go on the car and the hood won't go over that.

 

My SEIW has "kit" bodywork so this hood won't fit an FW and might(?) fit a ZK.

That might be of interest then, if anyone can confirm it would actually fit. Doors aren't a problem as apparently we have those.

[Euan Hoosearmy]

@Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman do you know if a hood from a "kit" would fit a ZK? If not, is there anyone else who would know or what the critical measurements would be?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Kit roof's can be "problematic" with ZK body work, but can work as long as the frame and hood match, the press stood locations on the back of the tub though need doing to match the hood as they are from memory, slightly higher up the tub than a ZK top.

 

Using ZK side screens with a kit hood might work as long as they're early ZK and not from the last five to ten years.

 

The top of the Kit bodywork is ever so slightly narrower at scuttle top level side to side than ZK, while the proportions of the hoods are subtly different. I've made it work before now, but it helps a lot if the tub has never had roof fittings riveted on before.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

3 minutes ago, Euan Hoosearmy said:

@Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman do you know if a hood from a "kit" would fit a ZK? If not, is there anyone else who would know or what the critical measurements would be?

 

Was already typing!!

[Benrobson2999 - Kent AO]

I may well have a newish soft bits roof coming up for sale. Twin doors and leather bag. Plus soft bits roof bars to stop it slapping your head at speed!

(if you have the MSA roll bar)Only reason is Iam looking to go full cage and aero screen

 

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

2 hours ago, Tim Sideways said:

Thanks. As for the spec erm...

 

We both wanted the ZK bodystyle, Widebody, low roll bar, loud colour and all those boxes are ticked. As for the engine it's a 2.0 Zetec with Jenvey throttle bodies. Other than that I know just about nothing about it

 

 

The 2.0 Zetec is a good engine, I had one in my first Westfield running on twin 45's. On Jenvey ITB's the blacktop will probably be in the 170-180bhp range, more than enough to put a smile on your face!

 

 

[Flying Carrot Steve]

 

Can someone explain the difference between 'kit' bodywork/car and the ZK please? 

[Kingster]

2 minutes ago, Flying Carrot Steve said:

 

Can someone explain the difference between 'kit' bodywork/car and the ZK please? 

 

[Tim Sideways]

Going off that Spot the Difference post, I’m thinking our car may well be a ‘kit’ but only based on the size of the lugs and the two sets of bonnet clips.

All good to know, but I guess there’s so many variables on these cars that a definitive answer is probably not possible. Hey ho, I just want it now 👍

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

The luggage capacity on a Westfield is fine for two people on a two week euro tour 😎