1 August 2005
IntroductionSince 1999 I have been dreaming about building my own kit car. I have attended numerous shows and exhibitions and done various factory visits. Looked into costs for various kits. For the last few years I had decided that my first build was going to be a Cobra replica. I whittled my choice to just two models; The DaJanuary 6, 2008, the Dax is the more expensive but not by a large margin. On a score sheet they both had their plus points over the other and made for a very balanced, making my decision a difficult one.
Decision Only fairly recently I have decided that the Cobra Replica Build would probably be a bit too complex for my current mechanical ability and the cost being high would probably not be a good idea. I do not want to place an advert for a partially completed kit car! For this reason I have decided to opt for a cheaper and much simpler build. I decided that I want to build something very light that I can take advantage of in the performance department, so at least I could build something that is very fast, possibly faster than a Cobra replica.
Maybe after I get bored with my first kit build, I could sell it and finance a Cobra Replica build.
I decided that the only real alternative for a kit car build was some sort of lotus 7 replica. Light car and I would use a big engine, such as a Rover 3500cc SD1, probably bored out to 3900cc.
As I had both Dax and Gardner Douglas at the forefront of my mind I compared the lotus 7 offerings that they had. Dax had one but GD didn't really. So I decided on the Dax Rush.
I currently run two cars, a Renault Grand Scenic MPV (I have a family) and a 330i Sport BMW. I know to build a kit car is going to take real commitment both in terms of time, patience and money. (I am not rich you know!). I am serious so I decided that I would need to sell my most favorite car that I have ever owned; the 330i BMW! This would raise the much needed initial capital for the purchase of the Kit car chassis, suspension bits, etc. Typically the highest single outlay of a build. Selling the Beamer would also save me about £500 per month finance and running costs, this would be handy for financing the ongoing build of the car.
10 August 2005
Selling my Baby
I took the first step! I have placed an advert for my BMW on the autotrader web site.
12 August 2005
I had a response to the advert placed on autotrader. The prospective purchaser wanted to view the vehicle on Saturday. I took this as a serious enquiry as the buyer would have to make a 200 miles round trip. I had mixed emotions at the prospect of selling my car now, as it is quickly progressing from an idea to actually becoming reality.
13 August 2005
Sold
I was correct the purchaser was serious and as my car was in good condition we agreed a purchase price which was only £200 short of the asking. We shook hands and finalized the agreement with a view for the purchaser to pick up the car next Saturday, once the funds had been cleared.
19 August 2005
Bought
Well it is Friday and the funds for the purchase of the car have been cleared, my current finance on the car has been cleared. The purchaser is paying me the difference in cash. Cash that I would use to purchase my initial module of the kit car.
20 August 2005
It has Gone
Purchaser arrived and paid me the cash difference and departed. "Oh god, what have done" started to resound through my head. I had now realized that my car was gone forever and I have no new toy to displace my emotions, which were rather mixed. Suffice to say I was a little difficult over the next few days, I was being given a wide berth. I immediately began letching over kit cars on the net to console myself.
Bye bye my love.
21 August 2005
Deciding
Still wandering through the web. Decided that I am definitely going for a lotus 7 replica due to build simplicity and build will cost about half the cost of a Cobra replica. Power-to-weight ratio would definitely be better than a Cobra, so no need for a 6 or 7 litre American Engine!
22 August 2005
Still deciding
I suddenly thought, "Hang-on" I have almost decided to Build a Dax Rush, but why, the main reason being that I had been looking at Dax for a number of years for a Cobra build but this is not a Cobra build! I also thought the as a Dax customer I would play second fiddle to Cobra customers, maybe unjustified? Then there is the question of customer support, especially as they are based in Essex, a bit of a logistical challenge as I live in Oxfordshire. I had heard of a company called Westfield through the years, as a Lotus 7 manufacturer. I had also seen a number of television programmes, such as Top Gear and pulling power, where they had featured Westfields. I Looked up Westfield and noticed that they are based in the West Midlands, which is about 1 hour journey time. I still prefer the look of the Dax Rush but purely on the logistics and the better feeling of the company, I thought I should seriously consider Westfield. I downloaded some brochures and decided to call Westfield. The phone was answered within a couple of rings by a cheerful lady. I asked if they could accommodate a factory visit and the reply was yes and I was additionally asked if I would like to test drive as Westfield. Of course I would!
Anyway, I am off work all this week and said I could do any day this week, the sooner the better. I was asked if tomorrow was good for me, "Yes". Made an appointment to meet Simon Westwood at 11:00 tomorrow.
23 August 2005
The factory visit
Arrived at Westfield in Kingswindford (Dudley) at 11:00. My son and I were immediately greeted by Simon and offered hot beverages. We had a little chat whilst we drank our coffees. I explained how I arrived at my decision to consider westfield, which was quite frank and open. Simon then led my son and I around the production facility first, showing near completed cars and the various options that were available. He then lead the way showing all the processes at various stages of chassis and sub-assembly stages, explaining the various options here to. Simon explained the engine and gearbox options and the differentials that were used.
After the tour I was offered a test drive of one of the factory demonstrators on the road unaccompanied! We were handed a map as a suggested route in which to try the car. The route looked good as it involved some town driving and then into some open country and back again.
The demonstrator car was a red Westfield SEi with chrome bits and black leather. It however was only a 1800cc ford Zetec, which although I am going to build a Rover 3951cc would suffice to demonstrate the finish and basic handling of the car, driving position etc.
The Drive.
Getting into the car was the usual go-kart approach of placing hands behind and slipping into the seat. Wow, this driving position felt completely alien. Adjusting the seat posed no problem and I had to move the seat forward for my 5'9" height. I am guessing but by the amount I had to adjust the seat by I expect this car could accommodate above average height of around 6'4". The steering wheel does not adjust but it seemed just right anyway. I turning the key, the engine roared into live, I knew straight away that this was your normal 1.8 Focus engine! The exhaust note was nice and you could even hear the induction of the engine, almost Turbo like.
I driving off I immediately noticed the steering was not assisted, although it was not heavy being a light car anyway, when the car was barely moving the steering felt normal and in my opinion assistance was not needed anyway. The steering was positive and lock-to-lock was 2.5, which is good for road driving, for track use you would want to opt for 1.7 or 1.5. I noticed that the hand-brake was on top of the transmission tunnel and with such a low driving position it was about elbow height, this might not be the best position if you want to do hand-brake turns, which I had no intention of doing.
On the subject of brakes, there were of course not ABS but were not assisted either, the brakes were good no mistake, but I had to get used to using more pressure rather than just a light touch. I must admit this made me nervous and I gave a wide berth to any vehicle in front of me.
After a short time I became accustomed to the low driving position and actually preferred it to my own car, ironically it was very comfortable and relaxing.
My first ten minutes of driving was through a moderately busy town and road works. This posed no problem, the car was very well behaved, so was I. The car did attract a certain amount of attention, which I thought strange because this was on the Westfield test route, surely a common sight for the locals.
Oh at last I can see open road and I can try some faster driving within the speed limits of course!
I pulled off from the lights into the country lanes and in no time at all I had reached the speed limit, all this from a 1.8 tuned to 150BHP.
Wow the car sounds and handles beautifully. I was rather surprised at the lack of wind noise and buffeting for an open top. There were no squeaks or rattles, the car felt solid.
In summary this car was a drivers car, I was in control not a computer. The sounded very nice and handled even better. Not what I was expecting from a kit car at all.
I started to think, my god, I am building a 4Litre version, I better do my advanced driving course I have always intended on doing.
Signed!
When I got back to the factory Simon asked what I thought, I asked what the lead time was! Simon said "5 weeks", now that was a surprise, I was expecting at least 12 weeks. I told him that financially I could not commit to anything sooner than 8 weeks, so we agreed apron that. We went through the various build options, more choices! I agreed to the purchase of a SEight Starter package plus powder coating of Chassis which is an option. I can hardly wait. All Westfield ask for at this stage is a £200 deposit, which I paid. The balance is payable on collection.
I forgot to mention, I have ordered it in yellow! My intention is that I will use only two colours for the whole car, black and yellow. The interior will be black with yellow piping. I am even going to try and get yellow dials. Probably paint Brake calipers yellow to match. Not sure what colour alloys I will go for, maybe black Chrome!
My initial impressions of Westfield is that they a very good product ahead of many other 7 replicas and although maybe not the best they seem very customer focused and provide technical support through the build and this swings the balance into their favour and for me the location of the factory is convenient also. I am expecting to be paying a few visits. Westfield have been in business for 23 years and currently production levels are at 400 units per year.
27 August 2005
Chassis Stands
I had been looking at the build manual today and visited various builders web sites etc. I thought it might be a good idea to use the Westfield factory built stands and at £50 are cheaper than buying four axle stands. I sent Simon an email to this affect and he added to my order. Still waiting for the Proforma invoice to arrive.
Also went to a car boot today, almost found a rover 3500 book, drat its for a 2600. I did find some cupronickel brake pipes though, 24 feet for £3.00, I bought just to practice bending. Quite simple but I think a pipe bender will make the job easier and more professional. I shall check EBay for one I think, only about £12 new, but sort of tool only use once, I hope anyway!
29 August 2005
Gearbox thoughts
One of three gear boxes can be selected for the Seight Rover V8, either the original SD1 version (LT77), R380 or T5. When I first ordered the Chassis I was asked what gearbox I was going to use. At this point I had not actually decided, so I replied with the standard SD1 gearbox. Today I thought I would check availability. I discovered that the LT44 did not have a good track record that it is too weak for the engine and suffers mechanical break down. The prospect of tuning a Rover SD1 engine and mating to this standard gearbox worries me. I had also read that the LT77 was becoming rarer and that the chances of obtaining a good one are slim. In fact RPI cannot supply anymore. The R380 is apparently a direct replacement which is meant to be stronger. I thought I would check this with Westfield. Westfield confirmed that the R380 is compatible with my Chassis ordered. Still no proforma invoice. The T5 I am sure is not compatible with the Chassis that I ordered and is the more costly option. The R380 can handle the sort of power I want to tune the V8 to anyway and if this is good enough for TVR it is good enough for me!
For technical details concerning gearbox, final drive ratios etc click here
30 August 2005
Fellow Westfield Builder
Saw a westfield in my office car park today. Who does this belong to! Never seen it before. I found out it who it belongs to, to someone that I regularly talk to in the kitchen at Lunch times. Had a quick conversation with him. He built it several years ago, it has a regular number plate, he explain that everything was new, i.e. the engine and gearbox. Erm, is this something I will need to do to ascertain an age related number plate. He told me about the Westfield Kit Car Club web site: http://www.wscc.co.uk. I have joined the bulletin board part of the site, I will of course become a fully paid up member shortly for technical tips, etc.
Hey, a week today I visited Westfield and ordered the kit, still received nothing in the post.
Go to September 2005