Hello! Possible new Westfield owner...

[richie howard]

Hello everyone.

I have spend the last couple of weeks having a look around your forum and I really like the atmosphere and the humour. There is a truckload of knowledge and experience shared too. Chapeau!

Currently, I have an MGB, which I have enjoyed thoroughly for the past three or so years. It has been a great little car that has taken me all over this island and beyond, but I now feel that I would like a little more from the driving experience.

This has led me to the idea of a Westfield. I am prepared to give up the touring side of things in order to learn to drive on a track, but would like to continue the 'fettling' side of things, which I enjoy.

The problem is, I am 6' 3" and 'powerfully' build (read: portly). I want to ask if there is someone in the the London area (or the south west) with a wide body Westfield that would be prepared to let me see if I could fit into one of these little beasties. Giving a seller the impression I am there to buy seems a bit wrong to me, so I thought I'd ask here first and be honest. I will supply biscuits/cider/compliments.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Richie.

PS. I can take the fatty jokes, but please don't mock my MGB - I love that little car, hehe.

[jak]

Weird! I sold my Westfield to buy an MGB.  

I reckon you'll fit in the Westfield, although your height might mean your line of sight will be level with the top of the screen. If you are thinking of a car with an aeroscreen, obviously that won't matter.

Welcome to the club. Check here for details of your local meeting.

John

[richie howard]

Hi John.

Like I said, I love the MGB, and it is in really good condition, but the upgrades required to take it to track days would be prohibitive and I think a Westfield would be much better for similar money. (if anyone is interested in a swap I am open to suggestions )

The top of the windscreen is an issue I am used to!

I will look into the local meeting and try to pay them a visit.

[Speed Freak]

hiya mate im 6"2 and just in the process of buying one. I will need to change the seats for grp bucket ones which can be mounted to the floor, as normal ones which are on runners dont give me enough room around the steering wheel, and so driving becomes quite interesting!

Im close to 15stone, dont know how big you are,but with a few mods, 6"3 is no problem... Ive heard of a guy before whose 6"6 and fitted, and he mounted the seat to floor, and said it wasnt a problem.no worries sport!

[richie howard]

Cheers! I am about 16.5 stone (more big frame than belly)

I guess a lot of it will come down to the car in question then.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I'm 6"1' and, er, powerfully built, stop sniggering at the back   and I fit. There have been plenty taller over the years too.

The beauty of a kit car is its inherent customisability, if you fit, but something's in the way, or you can't quite reach a control, move it!

Shell type grp or carbon fibre seats can be mounted slightly further back and or nearer the floor than the standard types. The steering column can have extra spacers fitted underneath at the cockpit end, swinging it up and away from your knees slightly, likewise an extension fitted between column and wheel will bring the steering wheel slightly closer to you and increase the leg room a little more.

Going further, lowered driver and or passenger floor pans have been a factory option for a few years, but can also be fitted to an existing car - SteveD on this very site does them via his Bodyshop.

There is also a slightly taller windscreen option available if you need to keep a screen rather than going aero.

So there's lots that can be done, good luck with the search, and welcome to the Boardroom.  

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

Cheers! I am about 16.5 stone (more big frame than belly)

I guess a lot of it will come down to the car in question then.

Lightweight, you're a tiddler    

[richie howard]

Ha!

Thanks for the advice.

[SteveD]

Weird! I sold my Westfield to buy an MGB.  

that is weird    

[jak]

   

Thanks, wuv

[Johnson]

You're more than welcome to try mine out for size, I am just on the south london/Surrey border, I doubt you will get many people turning up to meets in their cars this time of year down here  

It's in a bits at the moment but once it's back together you're welcome to pop over

[richie howard]

Thanks, Johnson - that's great.

I am in Brockley (SE4)

[bobsy]

It wasn't that clear cut for me, I'm 6'4", and a shade over 15st.

   I've driven two Westfields, sat in one, and found two I couldn't get in at all.

   Now to make that harder to figure, the first one I drove was a narrow body, it was tight, but drivable (wouldn't have exactly gone on holiday in it)

   There was two at Westfield factory I couldn't get in, one demo, and one use one for sale.

    The sport turbo at Westfield was quite ok with the seat back as far as it would go, and the wheel up as high as it would too. All adjustments on max made it nice.

     I was then lucky enough to be offered a drive in a 1998 V8, comfy padded leather seats, no steering wheel adjustment, but it was perfect. Not even a compromise. If I'd bought that one, which wasn't for sale anyway, and then had to do a 300 mile journey home it would have been a pleasure.

[JohnBlenk]

Hi Richie,

I bought my first Westfield in June. I am 6'4" but quite slim with 34" legs. I intended to buy a Zetec powered one, but the first one I looked at I couldn't drive due to the floor mounted pedals. Then went to see a SEiGHT with top mounted pedals and to my relief could drive it, so I bought it there and then.

The only issue I have is the top of the screen obscuring my line of vision. The options are to go aeroscreen, lowered floor, change seats or taller windscreen. The latter option is probably the way I will go once funds allow.

Good luck!

John

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

three best things for us biggies in order

1. lowered floor if you are tall

2. bring steering wheel closer  - this will allow the knees under

3. fit grp style bucket seats that allow you to sit lower and further back

all of the other mods as listed by the other guys above do make a difference but not as profound as these 3 in my opinion

if the car you go to have a look at has a narrow grp seat then you may struggle - ask the question before travelling