Westfield .... Cateringvan..?

[Martin Keene]

*Raises hand*

PS: Don't be tempted to try the new Cadbury's jaffa cakes, their ****e... Orginals are best!

[James]

Ive brought some Jaffa Cakes too. Raise your hand if you want one

Mmm Jaffa cakes

[CateringVan]

(Cateringvan sticks head over parapet and tries to make an on-topic posting.. )

This is an objective question, NOT a dig nor a criticism. If the heritage is of value and it's possible to trace each evolutionary change from the Series 1 Lotus 7 to 2005, surely it follows that Westfields share in that heritage, but have evolved along a separate route since sometime in the late 20th century. It is axiomatic that at some point the Caterham species of "evolved 7" and the Westfield species were identical or else why did Caterham take Westfield to court for copyright infringements. Copyright judgements are predicated upon whether a typical lay consumer (e.g.the man on the Clapham omnibus) could easily differentiate between the product of the owner of the copyright on a design, and the "pretender". After the sucessful prosecution of that action, Westfield moved off along its own evolutionary path.

In a nutshell, the heritage is because Caterham bought the rights from Lotus in the 1970 and have developed the car ever since, using the same chassis constructor that Lotus were using at that time (Arch motors). Each new version was a recognisable step forward from the previous one.

Westfield decided to copy the look of the car and it cannot be traced back to the original 7, except in appearance. As you know, this was deemed to be copyright infringement and Westfield changed the design to differentiate it.

Hence, in most peoples eyes, Caterhams have the Lotus 'heritage' but Westfields dont. To some people this is everything, to others it doesnt matter at all. Personally I'm somewhere between the middle and 'doesnt matter' end of the scale - I like the fact it can be traced back to a Lotus, but dont pretend that it 'is' a Lotus, and am quite glad that its had another 20-odd years of development (mine's a mid 90's car) including better suspension and a fuel injected engine that doesnt need a great deal of attention other than checking the oil at regular intervals.

I think Caterhams heritage is a bit like the fabled woodman's axe, its had 4 new heads and 6 new handles but its still the same one he bought 20 years ago when he was a lad.  

Birkin are an interesting case, in that Lotus also sold the manufacturing rights for South Africa to them. Their design is a lot closer to the original Lotus design than the current Caterham one, but for some reason they dont appear to be given the same 'heritage' tag.

BTW, I've been asked more than once if my car is a 'real one', to which I've replied 'yes, its a real Caterham' and then had the response, 'oh, I meant was it a Lotus'  

[Blatman]

BTW, I've been asked more than once if my car is a 'real one', to which I've replied 'yes, its a real Caterham' and then had the response, 'oh, I meant was it a Lotus'

Whenever I get asked if it's a real one (despite the 12" Westfield sticker on the nose...), I always say yes, of course it's a real car. I'd look silly driving a cheese sandwich around...

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Westfield changed the design to differentiate it.

And what a difference they made  

Sleek, shiny, roomy, and smooth ride      

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Ah Jaffa Cakes  

Just for the benefit of us boys Frau,

please can you describe how you eat your Jaffa Cakes      

[Martin Keene]

I prefer the down in one method...

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Always liked to lick the orangy bit off first.    

[Blatman]

I tend to nibble the edges off, leaving me with all the orangey bit and some sponge. Then it's down in one...

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Since when have you three been Frauliens,

or is there something your not telling us  

[chrisbin]

or is there something your not telling us  

Can't believe there is - we get told most details on here...!!

Morning all! Sorry bit late, flippin school holidays....kids won't go to bed, then won't get up when they need a lift in the morning....  Good job I don't have to clock in....

*mmmmm Jaffa Cakes......so doesn't anyone else pick all the chocolate off, then eat the sponge and finally the orange jelly.....   *

[Samuels]

Blimey this is a long thread…..21 pages of Jaffa cakes and sandwiches and a little technical topic  

There would appear to be a few inaccuracies regarding Caterhams, so as an R300 owner I’ll post my two pence worth

1. Powder coating on my last two cars have been spot on, both were in mint condition which goes all the way back to 1996

2. Caterhams are expensive, some times I think I have wasted my money

3. Most occasions I drive the car I thrash it, on the weekend I will probably thrash it again, the engine run perfectly, the engine a Minister modified “K” with “Roller barrel” induction, lighter than a Zetec/Duratec Ford thingy

4. History not bothered!!

5. If you think the front suspension is better on a Caterham, then think again because the “in board” suspension on the CRS has moved the stakes on

Westfields Caterhams or what ever, test drive and buy what takes your fancy. As a final comment you Westfield chaps you don’t half talk a load of rubbish  

[James]

I think "Heritage" is just a word that Caterham owners use to justify the rediculous over the top expense and of course its a good salesmans yarn  "The car has Heritage sir" as if it makes a diffrence to the performance of the car after all its nothing that is tangable.

[James]

Blimey this is a long thread…..21 pages of Jaffa cakes and sandwiches and a little technical topic  

Leave are Jaffa cakes alone you!

[James]

So how many sad people went out and bought Jaffa cakes at coffe time after Blatters coment?