im going to view a kit car this evening and was after any buying advice???? cheers

Most important thing is to check the v5c says westfield and the chassis number matches.

Then it's all down to condition vs what you are prepared to spend getting it to where you want it.

i would say pay close attention you the quality of the guys finishing, it usually shows how much pride and effort has gone into the build. especially wiring etc,

examine the tyres and see if the rears are going to need replacing soon

Best bit of advice I could give would be to take some one along who's built a car before.

i know the rears have gone, and its been in the guys garage since last yr with no mot or tax, its a 1992 narrow body westie.

and does any body know the difference between the se, sei, narrow body/ wide body

[Edited on 18/6/09 by Angus180]

Certainly take someone with you who knows kit cars well .
Check all docs fully.
How old is it?
Plus all the above advice given.


Mike

Too many differences to list easily - Get on the WSCC site and do a search all the info you will need be be there.

If your over 5,10 or 13 stone expect it to be a squeeze - narrows are small.

Andrew

quote:

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Originally posted by Angus180
i know the rears have gone, and its been in the guys garage since last yr with no mot or tax, its a 1992 narrow body westie.

and does any body know the difference between the se, sei, narrow body/ wide body

[Edited on 18/6/09 by Angus180]

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pre lit = copied from you know who

se = live axle narrow

sei = independant rear suspension

seiw = w for wide

don't think they make the live axle any more and they are all wide bodied now.

was there issues of chasis cracking in a specific position or was i dreaming? just thinking of something to look out for

some ideas

and more

[Edited on 18/6/09 by will121]

I’m sure cracking was only a problem on the 2004 cars.

The SE is based on the Escort/Cortina set-up with a live axle. These are the lightest of the road going Westies.

The SE wide is the same but 4” wider (about Locost sized (may have something to do with good old Ron copying a wide Westfield!?!)).

The original SEI is narrow (I am rebuilding one of these at the moment (well AB Performance are) and would be happy to help with any info you need. Most of these have an ford English diff mounted in a custom Westfield casing with Westfield drive shafts, not quite as light but handle the bumpy roads a little better than the SE. The rest of the car is exactly the same as the SE (including SE written on the scuttle)

The SEI wide (now just called the SEI by Westfield) is based on a Sierra diff and Cortina uprights but I’m sure it’s pretty much same as the narrow SEI just 4" wider.

I have a PDF of the instructions for the older Westfield’s if you buy the car.

As for what to look for, same as above just remember Westfield know how to charge for bodywork and finding someone to remake it is nearly impossible because they are all scared of getting sued. The rest of the bits are easily sourced else ware.

I hope this helps

Dave

If i remember rightly the said chassis cracking was in the diff support area , it caused a stir at the time with the owner in question , it may have been posted on here but it was certainly big news on many kit car forums including the Westfield forum.

Mike