Man maths made me buy a Westfeild Seight
Discussion
The starting point was a simple one - I absolutely had no need for another car.
I work in Germany 3/4 days out of every 7 and had two cars that I was (am) very happy with, an M135i and CL500
Out of the blue last week the specialist who I bought the CL from contacted me to let me know that they had just acquired a car I might be interested in - turns out it was a very low mileage S4 convertible with a full Milltek exhaust.
Thought about it for 24 hours and concluded that I did not want it - just too much cross over in abilities across my existing cars, the only thing that stood out was the fact that it was a convertible - this is where the man maths started to come into play
For the money the S4 required what else would it buy me that was a convertible and could stand apart from my existing cars.
Having previously owned a Lotus twin cam powered Westfield back in the early 00's I started to look at what was available. Research soon showed that cars were split into three main groups:
Bike engined
1.6 - 2.0 mainly Zetec powered
A handful of Seights
Within this grouping there was further sub division into sensible (!!) with windscreens and wet weather gear and more hardcore aeroscreened cars.
At this stage I had no idea what I wanted so figured the best way forward was to join the owners club and various forum groups, post wanted ads and talk to people, hoping that this would start to clarify what was a contender and what was definitely not
First to go were the bike engined cars, nothing wrong with them but just not the kind of driving experience I was looking for - I wanted primarily a weekend blast car and maybe the odd track day
Spent some time with a specialist to look at his stock, get some pointers and possibly buy a car but nothing was in budget or had a spec that appealed to me
Out of the blue on Sunday a club member dropped me a message saying that although his car was not strictly for sale he could be persuaded to part with it
Numerous emails exchanged along with pictures and video clips a trip over to view was arranged for this morning
A leisurely look at documentation and the car followed by a run out soon saw me deciding this was the car for me and a deal was struck - man maths meant my self-imposed budget was blown but needs must
Let me present my soon to be collected Westfield Seight
Spec sheet shows this was not a car built on a tight budget and whilst build commenced in 2004 it did not hit the road until 2009 and has done a mere 8,000 miles
Westfield Wide body SEight Chassis built 2004
Weight approx 670 Kg
Aeroscreen
All aluminium panels are black powder coated
Crimson red Gel Coat (lightweight fibreglass body)
Nose can be removed in a couple of minutes.
Carbon fibre “Cycle Wings”
Removable Rear arches
Carbon fibre stone protectors
Carbon fibre “boot” panel
Carbon fibre dash
Westermann Motor sport Carbon Fibre half doors (forward tilting for ease of access)
Rose jointed “RAC” Roll Bar
5 ¾” black headlights
Carbon effect indicator pods
Rear carbon effect lights
Interior
Westfield Sports seats (fixed)
Willans 4” 4-point harnesses
Carbon fibre gear knob
Passenger foot rest
Instrumentation
Stack ST8130 Digidash Plus, with full parameter recording and lap timer
Displays:
Oil Temp
Oil Pressure
Water Temp
Fuel Pressure
Fuel tank contents (with low alarm)
Max Speed
Speed
RPM
Immobiliser
Engine
V8 5.1 by V8 Developments (started life a s 4.6)
300 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 360 lbft torque @ 3000 rpm on 95 Ron
330 bhp @ 5300 rpm 380 lbft torque @ 3200 rpm on 99 Ron
Lightened flywheel
Vernier timing chain set
Dynamically balanced
Lubrication
3 stage John Eales Dry sump pump
Large capacity bespoke oil tank
Alloy catch tank
Aeroquip oil pipes
Fuelling
Bespoke extra long range tank baffled with integral swirl pot and foam filled
Fuel filler mounted on top of “boot” cover.
Jenvey Throttle bodies (8 off)
ITG Filters
ECU
DTA 8 PRO programmable ECU with Launch and Traction Control
Software and switch block/data cables
Cooling
Bespoke (Brise Fabrications) radiator
Electric (pull) fan and thermostat controlled by ECU
Samco Silcone hoses
Exhaust
Bespoke central underfloor stainless steel with 2 silencers to meet strictest track sound limits
Transmission
R380 gearbox
Heavy duty clutch
Ford Sierra 7” diff with ZF plated LSD 3.62 ratio, correctly set up and progressive
Steering/Suspension/Running Gear
Specifications for suspension were developed by head of Audi Chassis Dynamics (at the time).
Front and Rear Nitron dampers, Dyno’d and matched to springs
Front Anti- roll Bar
Oz Ultraleggera Wheels
Brand new Federal 595 rs 205/55/15 tyres
BG Quick disconnect steering boss
Quick rack 2.1 turns lock to lock (with stops)
Brakes
Hi Spec Ultralight 4 pot front Calipers with drilled discs
Sierra Rear Calipers with integral handbrake and drilled discs
I work in Germany 3/4 days out of every 7 and had two cars that I was (am) very happy with, an M135i and CL500
Out of the blue last week the specialist who I bought the CL from contacted me to let me know that they had just acquired a car I might be interested in - turns out it was a very low mileage S4 convertible with a full Milltek exhaust.
Thought about it for 24 hours and concluded that I did not want it - just too much cross over in abilities across my existing cars, the only thing that stood out was the fact that it was a convertible - this is where the man maths started to come into play
For the money the S4 required what else would it buy me that was a convertible and could stand apart from my existing cars.
Having previously owned a Lotus twin cam powered Westfield back in the early 00's I started to look at what was available. Research soon showed that cars were split into three main groups:
Bike engined
1.6 - 2.0 mainly Zetec powered
A handful of Seights
Within this grouping there was further sub division into sensible (!!) with windscreens and wet weather gear and more hardcore aeroscreened cars.
At this stage I had no idea what I wanted so figured the best way forward was to join the owners club and various forum groups, post wanted ads and talk to people, hoping that this would start to clarify what was a contender and what was definitely not
First to go were the bike engined cars, nothing wrong with them but just not the kind of driving experience I was looking for - I wanted primarily a weekend blast car and maybe the odd track day
Spent some time with a specialist to look at his stock, get some pointers and possibly buy a car but nothing was in budget or had a spec that appealed to me
Out of the blue on Sunday a club member dropped me a message saying that although his car was not strictly for sale he could be persuaded to part with it
Numerous emails exchanged along with pictures and video clips a trip over to view was arranged for this morning
A leisurely look at documentation and the car followed by a run out soon saw me deciding this was the car for me and a deal was struck - man maths meant my self-imposed budget was blown but needs must
Let me present my soon to be collected Westfield Seight
Spec sheet shows this was not a car built on a tight budget and whilst build commenced in 2004 it did not hit the road until 2009 and has done a mere 8,000 miles
Westfield Wide body SEight Chassis built 2004
Weight approx 670 Kg
Aeroscreen
All aluminium panels are black powder coated
Crimson red Gel Coat (lightweight fibreglass body)
Nose can be removed in a couple of minutes.
Carbon fibre “Cycle Wings”
Removable Rear arches
Carbon fibre stone protectors
Carbon fibre “boot” panel
Carbon fibre dash
Westermann Motor sport Carbon Fibre half doors (forward tilting for ease of access)
Rose jointed “RAC” Roll Bar
5 ¾” black headlights
Carbon effect indicator pods
Rear carbon effect lights
Interior
Westfield Sports seats (fixed)
Willans 4” 4-point harnesses
Carbon fibre gear knob
Passenger foot rest
Instrumentation
Stack ST8130 Digidash Plus, with full parameter recording and lap timer
Displays:
Oil Temp
Oil Pressure
Water Temp
Fuel Pressure
Fuel tank contents (with low alarm)
Max Speed
Speed
RPM
Immobiliser
Engine
V8 5.1 by V8 Developments (started life a s 4.6)
300 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 360 lbft torque @ 3000 rpm on 95 Ron
330 bhp @ 5300 rpm 380 lbft torque @ 3200 rpm on 99 Ron
Lightened flywheel
Vernier timing chain set
Dynamically balanced
Lubrication
3 stage John Eales Dry sump pump
Large capacity bespoke oil tank
Alloy catch tank
Aeroquip oil pipes
Fuelling
Bespoke extra long range tank baffled with integral swirl pot and foam filled
Fuel filler mounted on top of “boot” cover.
Jenvey Throttle bodies (8 off)
ITG Filters
ECU
DTA 8 PRO programmable ECU with Launch and Traction Control
Software and switch block/data cables
Cooling
Bespoke (Brise Fabrications) radiator
Electric (pull) fan and thermostat controlled by ECU
Samco Silcone hoses
Exhaust
Bespoke central underfloor stainless steel with 2 silencers to meet strictest track sound limits
Transmission
R380 gearbox
Heavy duty clutch
Ford Sierra 7” diff with ZF plated LSD 3.62 ratio, correctly set up and progressive
Steering/Suspension/Running Gear
Specifications for suspension were developed by head of Audi Chassis Dynamics (at the time).
Front and Rear Nitron dampers, Dyno’d and matched to springs
Front Anti- roll Bar
Oz Ultraleggera Wheels
Brand new Federal 595 rs 205/55/15 tyres
BG Quick disconnect steering boss
Quick rack 2.1 turns lock to lock (with stops)
Brakes
Hi Spec Ultralight 4 pot front Calipers with drilled discs
Sierra Rear Calipers with integral handbrake and drilled discs
Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 15th February 21:46
I'm 240 with a similar weight in my Exocet and god-damn it's fast....keep toying with forging the engine and heading north of 300bhp, but the acceleration is so brutal, I struggle to drive it enough to get used to it, to make the step-up cost effective iyswim
300 as your starting point will be absolutely ballistic, and I doubt you'll ever want to go any higher. Should be great fun!!
300 as your starting point will be absolutely ballistic, and I doubt you'll ever want to go any higher. Should be great fun!!
chuntington101 said:
Any pics with the bonnet off? Looks very clean without the headers sticking out the side.
One of the things that really appealed to me.The original builder built it with some very specific targets and had already built one Seight previously. It was built as a fast road / track car with the ability to run out to the Ring and Le Mans, hence the long range fuel tank etc. The rear exit exhaust was built up to reduce heat transfer and noise during long runs. Amazingly there are absolutely no ground clearance issues
The car looks great, OP. You're sure to have a lot of fun with that!
If I may go slightly off-topic for a moment. Man maths is nowhere near as bad as woman maths. Here's a good example:
Woman buys handbag in sale for £150, which was originally priced at £250. Woman tells man she SAVED £100.
No she didn't! She SPENT £150!
If I may go slightly off-topic for a moment. Man maths is nowhere near as bad as woman maths. Here's a good example:
Woman buys handbag in sale for £150, which was originally priced at £250. Woman tells man she SAVED £100.
No she didn't! She SPENT £150!
magooagain said:
That's a beautiful thing OP.
Can I ask how big you are to get in it? More width than length . Myself and Mrs Magoo are quite broad and we wonder if we ever will be able to own such a car.
I would like to think I'm reasonably normal - 5ft 11ins, 13 1/2 stone in old money. This car has fixed seats but driving position is perfect and with the carbon half doors there is actually reasonable amounts of elbow room.Can I ask how big you are to get in it? More width than length . Myself and Mrs Magoo are quite broad and we wonder if we ever will be able to own such a car.
Nearly bought one over the caterham (1.6 k series 120bhp) was told at the factory the v8 weighs less than the 2.0 pinto.
Tried a 1.8 zetec (155 bhp ) and the seight.
Brilliant cars both of them and very different, and in the end just enjoyed the caterham more so bought that even tho less power.
Never owned a car with more than 200 bhp and guess never felt easy with the seight and zetec didn't feel as pure as the caterham although faster.
All good cars and they are total beasts.
Edit: (and i think the one i tried had 190 bhp) so god knows how 300+ bhp feels with all that torque as well.
Tried a 1.8 zetec (155 bhp ) and the seight.
Brilliant cars both of them and very different, and in the end just enjoyed the caterham more so bought that even tho less power.
Never owned a car with more than 200 bhp and guess never felt easy with the seight and zetec didn't feel as pure as the caterham although faster.
All good cars and they are total beasts.
Edit: (and i think the one i tried had 190 bhp) so god knows how 300+ bhp feels with all that torque as well.
Edited by caterhamboy on Thursday 16th February 19:03
I agree - I think Westfield and Caterham plough their own furrows
What has shocked me is the build quality you see on many Westfields, lots of people take thier cars to well beyond the level of a factory built car with some engineering that is clearly created to a standard rather than to a price
What has shocked me is the build quality you see on many Westfields, lots of people take thier cars to well beyond the level of a factory built car with some engineering that is clearly created to a standard rather than to a price
Andy665 said:
I agree - I think Westfield and Caterham plough their own furrows
What has shocked me is the build quality you see on many Westfields, lots of people take thier cars to well beyond the level of a factory built car with some engineering that is clearly created to a standard rather than to a price
All fantastic cars, you can swap and change bits and they feel different again, my set up was stiffer rear anti roll bar that made it looser and quicker on track, but more skittish on road.But with only 120bhp was easily controlled.What has shocked me is the build quality you see on many Westfields, lots of people take thier cars to well beyond the level of a factory built car with some engineering that is clearly created to a standard rather than to a price
Start adding h.p to both westfield and caterhams and you start needing wider tyres to get it down, but the rub is you lose some purity. i could steer on the throttle and for me was the enjoyment and would always buy a lower power car.
A 100 bhp caterham on slimmer tyres would always give faster times than on wider tyres, but start adding 60 bhp and the wider tyres would be quicker.
No right or wrong answer.
Edited by caterhamboy on Thursday 16th February 19:30
Stunnig car btw.
Edited by caterhamboy on Thursday 16th February 19:33
Andy665 said:
chuntington101 said:
Any pics with the bonnet off? Looks very clean without the headers sticking out the side.
One of the things that really appealed to me.The original builder built it with some very specific targets and had already built one Seight previously. It was built as a fast road / track car with the ability to run out to the Ring and Le Mans, hence the long range fuel tank etc. The rear exit exhaust was built up to reduce heat transfer and noise during long runs. Amazingly there are absolutely no ground clearance issues
Insurance sorted - all my no claims is being used on my other cars but still only came in at £163 fully comp with full spec advised - very happy with that
Collection confirmed for Saturday lunchtime and of course its forecast as rain so will be an interesting journey home
Managed to get a couple of sound clips too
https://youtu.be/flrt3F3Kj6s
https://youtu.be/aQVhfFYPBZ8
Collection confirmed for Saturday lunchtime and of course its forecast as rain so will be an interesting journey home
Managed to get a couple of sound clips too
https://youtu.be/flrt3F3Kj6s
https://youtu.be/aQVhfFYPBZ8
Edited by Andy665 on Monday 20th February 15:19
Edited by Andy665 on Monday 20th February 15:21
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