I would suggest that if you have the money then go ahead and buy yourself a 'cheque book seven' but don't expect any help from the people on this forum. There is a dedicated Westfield forum for that!
Good luck in your endevours
After Getting A 1/18th Scale model of a Lotus supper 7 A few Xmas's ago.
I have just started looking into what is needed for a build. Reading through Magazines, Westfield do a single donor starter kit called the westsport
SDV. the kit comprises of Space Frame Chassis, Spare Wheel Carrier, Top Front Wishbones, Bottom Front Wishbones, Engine Mounting Brackets, Pedals
Including Master Cylinders (Floor Mounted), Brake Lines, Aeroquip Fittings And Tee Piece (any help on what this is), Aluminium Panel Set Including
Floor Pan, Seat-Back, Centre Tunnel And Scuttle, Nuts, Bolts, Rivets And Suspension Bushes, Chassis Plate, Wing Brackets, Rear Uprights, Top Rear
Wishbones, Bottom Rear Wishbones, A Complete Set Of Self Coloured Body Work Including Rear Body Section, Scuttle, Bonnet, Nose, Screen Fillet, Wings
(Choice Of Swept Or Cycle Design) And A Boot Box, All In A Choice Of Colours.
The donor car is any siera with a pinto engine.
To me this sounds ok to give me a good start. But I would be greatfull to any of you expirienced builders for you views.
A Westfield certainly isn't a Locost, or a LOW cost way of going about building a 7 based roadster. There are many cheaper alternatives. This
forum was basically set up to help builders of Locosts. i.e people who want to build their cars from the ground up, including the chassis. It has
evolved from this original concept however and now deals with a variety of different 7 based kits. The Westfield isn't one of them though. As for
the phrase 'single donor' how come it needs a mk2 escort steering rack then? Oh and the 'tee' piece is a 't' piece for
the brake lines.
I would suggest that if you have the money then go ahead and buy yourself a 'cheque book seven' but don't expect any help from the
people on this forum. There is a dedicated Westfield forum for that!
Good luck in your endevours
Have a look at the MK Indy. The comprehensive kit is the same price as the Westfield and you would find a lot of support from people on this forum.
There is even a seperate section for the MK. 
Not wanting to argue with a doctor but:
Mk Indy starter kit - £1169.12
West field SDV starter kit - £2250
Both including Vat
not exactly the same provided, but the MK has some things the Westfield don't and vice-versa.
Mk's comprehensive kit is cheaper than Westfield's starter kit! (£2174.13)
Over a grands difference, and then check out the differece in parts you may need, Westfield parts prices make your eyes water!
Cheers
Chris
I agree a Westfield is a much more expensive option in the long run, but I think you miss my point. The Westfield starter kit features much more than
the Indy starter (ie pedal set, brake lines, aluminium panel set including floor, bushes, bolts and rivnuts and engine mounts. The only difference
between this and the comprehensive Indy kit is the shocks and roll bar. Also it is now priced at only £2000, cheaper than the Indy comprehensive kit.
Even adding £359 for shocks from Westfield it is still only £200 dearer than the Indy.
But, as you say, other spares from Westfield are incredibly over priced, so I would still go for the Indy.
Don't forget our new sponsor either *cough*
Chris
Yeah, 'cos that big Viento thing is such a good looker!
Yes. That's why I'm building one!
Chris
I think if I did it all again I would have to look at the Westfield option if only for the much better bodywork. The MK chassis is just as well made as any but the fibreglass panels are a pain. Best bet if going cheap Westfield route is to get a rolling chassis and source everything else yourself. That said mine has turned out very well. It seems as MK success has taken them by surprise and R+D for the Indy has been put on the back burner.
Trouble with Westy bodywork - smack the rear arch and you gotta replace the whole back and sides.
I must admit, I'm quite surprised by some of the negative responses towards the Westfield SDV.
quote:
I would suggest that if you have the money then go ahead and buy yourself a 'cheque book seven'
quote:
There are many cheaper alternatives.
yo zetec when you say mk bodywork is a pain,in what way do you mean,ive got that delight to do and any info would be apreciated
The first problem was the scuttle, when I came to fit it I found the gel coat was full of bubbles along one bottom edge had to drive to Midlands to get another even though it was faulty when sent out. The send item was the bonnet, it was 1/2 longer one side than the other and is a very poor fit around the scuttle. When I talked to MK about it they agreed it was crap and said they use another supplier now! Also just noticed the nose cone is not true, but the number plate will hide that. If I had bought a Westie I would have been on the phone insisting they sent new parts rather than me do the leg work to get it sorted, but the lads at MK have been very helpful in other areas I have lived with it. It must be hard moving from chassis fabricator to kit manufacturer in such a short time.
thanx zetec,they are a great bunch and i can see the pressure they are under,mine was made very recently so fitting shouldnt be a problem
Doesn't anybody on this list know what 'tongue in cheek' means. Thought not
Meant it about the Viento tho', sorry ChrisW just my personal taste.
hey, lets ,like all get along, live and let live.
Except anyone who didn't build their own chassis - they should be burnt at the stake.
Cheers
Chris
And if Luego are "our" sponsor, where's my share?
Yes, lets start our own club, the home made locost builders club and have a website called locostbuilders or something like that.
Doh!
You might have got something there Pete,
Something along the lines of, oh, I dunno, Locostbuilders.co.uk?
Yeah, could work
Cheers
Chris
We could have a sister site called"Locost_type_assemblers. co.uk
Also resale value should be taken into consideration. Even the best Locost isn't going to sell for more than a Westfield.
Not an issue if you intend to keep it forever, but who's gonna stop at building one ?
How about locostinspiredbuilders.co.uk?
Kingr
Each to their own... I really like the Viento hence why I approached Luego to help with the site.
quote:
And if Luego are "our" sponsor, where's my share?
quote:
How about locostinspiredbuilders.co.uk?
I'll stop looking - send me a cheque.
Cheers
Chris
Went for a test drive in a westfield I hope my locost dosn't end up the same! allbeit a positive drive I was told in a very nice way that I could put one on the road for around K6.5-K7 and this all started with a book that promised me a car for £250. it just cost me that for a welder and i bought a built chassis???Duh