PetePMF Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Hi. As a total newbie I am scouring the magazines for a car - my first choice being the Westfield but my budget (£5000) forcing me towards one of the better Robin Hoods. My questions are: 1.What exactly is the difference between the two manufactures, why are the Westfields so much more expensive??? 2. Do Westfields have a stainless steel chassis? I don't notice reference to this in any of the ads and wondered if it was just standard? 3. What is an 'epoxy' chassis? 4. Is insurance higher for a Westfield than a Robin Hood, or any other of the cheaper makes? Any help would be appreciated. With thanks, Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard M Green Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 The RH chassis is made up of folded and welded stainless steel. Advantage is it won't rust. Disadvantage is it's v.heavy. Westfield OTOH is a spaceframe consisting of steel tubes reinforced with rivetted (and in my case bonded) aluminium sheets. Advantage is strength per unit weight. Disadvantage is that steel will rust eventually hence many people pay extra for epoxy coating of the tubular steel structure. Assuming that it's a second car and likely to be on limited mileage basis, then insurance costs are likely to be similar. How about that for an unbiased answer? Now with added bias: I have built two Westies, and have worked on a couple of RHs and I know which I think are better built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westfieldman Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 1. go and look with an engineering eye and all will be reveiled. 2.No stainless steel is crap for chassies as it work hardens and cracks and you can not reweld it properly. 3. powder coating [plastic paint] 4. don't know never asked. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Oh god, here we go, talk about lighting the blue touch paper and stand well back, 1. A westfield uses all purpose designed suspension components and drives like a sportscar, a R/H uses Sierra suspension and drives like a Sierra. 2. No S/S Chassis 3. Epoxy = powder coating applied to chassis to prevent corrosion 4. Insurance with a limited mileage from a specialist broker is so cheap it's not worth making compaisons between manufacturers. If you have £5K to spend check out the cars for sale on this site in particular Simon Houghtons (studbuckle) a £5K Westie will always be worth that amount, a £5K R/H will depreciate like its going out of fashion. You cannot beat a Westfield for handling, spares avaialability and upgrade capability Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 1. I don't think Westfields are that much more. An RH will say cost between £3k and £5k but will have a Pinto Engine and no real trick bits but could be nicely built. A Westfield like mine with 1700 tuned Xflow, LSD and a few other niceties cost me £4750. Sure its older than the equivalent priced RH but its a hell of a lot quicker (Coz its 200+kg's lighter and probably more powerful). Try driving one of each and I think that'll answer the question for you. Also a bit subjective but have you seen the size of a RH. They aren't that easy on the eye. 2. Westfields don't have stainless chassis as they crack and that is a lot worse than having to keep a mild steel one from rusting. Old Robin Hoods used a monocoque design rather than space frame. Not a bad idea in theory but I think the fact they now use a spaceframe speaks volumes. 3. Already answered. 4. There should be no real difference. Best advice is simply to try one because I think you'll find they are worlds apart. Just to show I'm not being completely biased towards the Westfield, you should also have a look at MK Locosts, Strikers, Tiger's etc... Robin Hood is the only one I would personally steer clear of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Oh god, here we go, talk about lighting the blue touch paper and stand well back, Just to add a bit of fuel to the Fire, I'd love a Robin Hood with a Bike Engine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 How about a Harley Davidson V twin. The're heavy slow and old fashioned ! Keep em coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb893 Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 I'd love a Robin Hood with a Bike Engine! A Bandit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Or you could put a fire blade engine in and call it the Fire Truck or even the Friar Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Buy studbuckles car from the classifieds on here. He's asking less than £5k but it's worth more and will drive away from any similarly priced robin hood on the road or track, and that's what it's about. If you want more than spec than £5k will buy you in a westfield then get a locost which aren't as pretty or neatly screwed together as a westy but are still infinitely better in design and construction than a Robin Hood. Robin Hoods aren't really comparable to the westy/lotus/caterham/locost/tiger/etc cars in anyting other than looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Or maybe a Marina Engined kit called the, Wait for it Home maid Marion Sorry, I'll have to do better than that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Of course this could be a wind up from our 'friends' on Blatchat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oioi Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 two words - dave andrews ............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetePMF Posted July 2, 2003 Author Share Posted July 2, 2003 Thanks guys, just come back to a staggering 12 replies (I think). Haven't read them all yet, just a quick note to say thanks for the response...back soon. er.. I like the Maid Marion bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb893 Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Home maid Marion MAKE HIM STOP, MAKE HIM STOP!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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