Mazda SDV

[scott beeland]

Was down at factory today getting a few bits for the winter tidy up.

Richard offered a drive of the MX5 SDV to see what I thought....And I have to say I was impressed.

Only about 120bhp but it's a light and lithe package so the car actually has a good turn of pace (greasy conditions/not my car not withstanding).

Steering was a little light for me(compared to the boghouse) but was more akin to a production car feel rather than kit.

The gearbox was veeery nice indeed and made a type 9 change feel like stirring soup.

Due to it's light weight it turns in and stops very well and is stable enough to chuck it around a fair bit (greasy conditions again withstanding).

Nice and quiet too...and a welcome reminder of what it's like to drive a westfield with a windscreen/doors and comfy seats

Obviously interiors are going to vary owner to owner but the stock MX5 clocks looked well in the moulded dash and everything else fell to hand nicely

In essence for a build price of around 8-9k it's re opened a customer base that has recently been priced out of the  "new westfield" market with the full blown Duratec/V8/BEC/XTR module kits.

Of course some will fit turbo'd or supercharged motors and some trick bits... but it's the access to a new car at sensible money that's the key here.

Richard added that they've now sourced a company that can supply all the required MX5 bits palleted up too..So you don't have to find/strip a car if you don't want to

The kits are selling well...And it's plain to see why.

[neilb]

Can only be a good thing         I did like the moulded dash that they have done

[JAG]

I built my Locost with a Mazda MX5 1600 engine and 5 speed gearbox (with Cortina uprights and Escort live axle) and I love it.

Did you get any photo's of the finished car?

[scott beeland]

The car was pretty "stock" as far as a westfield goes...But the interior is here

[pistonbroke2]

Wot.

You didnt Prang it.

bl**** Amazing

   

[lukeyboy]

Is the handbrake for the passenger to use  

[Drakuul]

Any idea on the price for the MX5 bits all palletted up?

[frubpato?]

I do quite like that dashboard , anybody know if its a retro fit option , and if so how much.

[scott beeland]

Best talk to Richard Smith about that one...It wasn't much though (the mx5 pallet)

[Martin Keene]

Any idea on the price for the MX5 bits all palletted up?

I've heard a rumour of £800.

TBH, I'm not sure if that is the best way of doing it. I reckon if you bought a half decent donor for £1500, you migt be able to do it for less by breaking the rest and ebaying it...

[oioi]

Is the handbrake for the passenger to use  

in an mx5 its even further over to the passenger side.

[neilb]

I do quite like that dashboard , anybody know if its a retro fit option , and if so how much.

Talking to richard at harrowgate show they will be doing that style of dash for the SEiW cars the dash in the MX5 SDV takes the mazda binical

[scott beeland]

Just had an email from these guys in the States

Flying Miata.

Tahey're shortly starting their westfield build.

(Should be good having looked at what they can do with the MX5 and powerplant

[Keith@FM]

They're on the forum too. Bwaa haa haa!

Thanks for giving me permission to put that picture on our website. Maybe I'll put up a mirror image to stop all the questions that say "can I get it in LHD??". Oh, and thanks for the drive report. I've not had the chance to drive a Westfield so it's good to hear how it compares.

[geelhoed]

Maybe I'll put up a mirror image to stop all the questions that say "can I get it in LHD??".

Can I have it with the numbers on the dials correct then?