Barn find Westfield

[Robert060379]

I've recently discovered what appears to be a MGB based Westfield in a local barn. It was put there after an accident about twenty years ago. It has a Rover V8 and five speed box, standard MG front cross member with a double wish bone coil over set up and a four link rear. Any ideas where I can get a new set of wish bones for the car as it has mostly front end damage and rust?

[Auntieroll]

Not aware that any Westfield used MGB front crossmember or suspension,the Eleven used Midget front uprights but used a double wishbone set up,no x-member though,its always a possibility that its been modified for some reason or other but I can't think why anyone would put an inferior front end on a Westfield?
I think its far more likely to turn out being a Westalike than an altered Westy though.

[Robert060379]

Thanks for that. It had a Westfield badge and the engine number is from an original 1974 B GT V8! The box is from a later model Lt series. I think I'll just put the engine in my spare B and scrap the rest. Although the four link set up looks like it could fit the B as well. The rest is just a rusty lader chasis and dulled bent Aluminium with a rat eaten interior.

[nike 5]

You could quote the chassis number to westfield.
What is the bodywork like, as a westfield is quite recogniseable (well after the litigation with Caterham it became distinctive).
I thought the early westfields did use a lot of MGB bits (similar to their westfield 11 that they sold). What bits I do not know.

[motco]

If it really was twenty years ago it was retired it was built before that and Westfield was probably making only the pre-lit then. I can't say when the litigation took place but it was in the late eighties I believe.

[Compo_Simmonite]

Double wishbones are an aftermarket conversion and still available from MGB specialists. Expensive though (£725).
http://www.hoyle-engineering.co.uk/html/body-html/...

Paul H

Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Sunday 21st June 09:36

[Auntieroll]

motco said:

If it really was twenty years ago it was retired it was built before that and Westfield was probably making only the pre-lit then. I can't say when the litigation took place but it was in the late eighties I believe.

The Westfield "pre-lit" ceased production in Dec 1987,I only know this because I collected the last 2 pre-lit alloy bodied cars then,while chatting to Chris Smith in his office he showed me the actual writ he had received from the courts.
These cars used Ford Cortina/Granada front uprights although I did drive a demo S1 lookalike that had a Midget set up at the front.I do recall that the steering rack positioning was way out as the company had not altered the mountings correctly when moving from the BMC components,this resulted in the steering lock available differing wildly between left and right,(sound familiar to any pre-lit owners/builders?)I was certainly not best pleased,but a bit of welding sorted that one out,the powder coating was never quite the same though!!

[motco]

Auntieroll said:

motco said:

If it really was twenty years ago it was retired it was built before that and Westfield was probably making only the pre-lit then. I can't say when the litigation took place but it was in the late eighties I believe.

The Westfield "pre-lit" ceased production in Dec 1987,I only know this because I collected the last 2 pre-lit alloy bodied cars then,while chatting to Chris Smith in his office he showed me the actual writ he had received from the courts.
These cars used Ford Cortina/Granada front uprights although I did drive a demo S1 lookalike that had a Midget set up at the front.I do recall that the steering rack positioning was way out as the company had not altered the mountings correctly when moving from the BMC components,this resulted in the steering lock available differing wildly between left and right,(sound familiar to any pre-lit owners/builders?)I was certainly not best pleased,but a bit of welding sorted that one out,the powder coating was never quite the same though!!

It probably isn't a Westfield at all, then. Even if it were a pre-lit, and it could easily be if it was 2 years old or more when it was 'retired', from your description it doesn't sound too much like it.

[Mr2Mike]

Robert060379 said:

The rest is just a rusty lader chasis and dulled bent Aluminium with a rat eaten interior.

Definitely not a Westy if it has a ladder chassis. The only 7-alike I know of that uses a ladder frame is the Locust, though I thought it used Cortina based front suspension.

[Disco_Biscuit]

[Robert060379]

Done some chasing and found out it is not a Westfield at all but a home build from scratch jobbie. The MG B GT V8 was accident damaged and because Heritage shells weren't available at the time and ringing the parts on to another existing shell is slightly illegal the owner made the chassis himself from the original dimensions of the B. The four link rear end should therefore fit my car, but I'm considering a Heritage shell (as re-shelled classics are kit cars anyway) route. My other 200SX (S14 330bhp) powered B GT has a Hoyle-esque fron end and a four link set up borrowed/adapted from a rolled Mk2 Escort Rally car.

Thank you for all your input, sorry about the lack of photos but I can't down load them for some reason.