Westfield Elevens

Thanks Alan, much appreciated....

Speaking of hill climbs, I was at Brooklands yesterday. Never knew there was a hill climb there. Sheeeesh, it may not be long, but it's just unbelievably steep...

Apparently, if I pay a few quid, on the right day, I can take the eleven up...

This is wandering somewhat off-thread but.....

The "Test hill" at Brooklands was exactly that. Not a timed motorsport venue, more of a test to see how far up the hill an early motor car could climb from a standing start from the bottom. Indeed, the hill was designed to be insurmountable for many, and the driver then has to back the car down using what little braking is available!

Now, did you try walking up the banking? How big were their balls to race on that!

Yeah, agreed - absolutely epic. Even that section that circles what is now a Tesco car park...the mind boggles.

It's so sad it's all falling apart and chopped up now, but I'm not sure one could still organise racing on there even if it was restored..it just looks suicidal!

stephen

I attended a show at Lytham Hall Lancashire on Sunday 4th August 2013 in chassis number 123 . I hadn't got out of the car in the car park when I was accosted by a very enthuiastic individual with his photo albumn showing photos of his previously owned "Westfield Sport" (His comment "I wish I had never sold it" ) one of the five made and fitted with Escort Turbo units , independent rear suspension and the more curvaceous (Not everyones taste) Body panels . He immediately started a bidding game for my Eleven but obviously a " Pinch of salt " comes into play in these circumstances.
However to back up the bids was my experience about two hours previous at the Mitton Hall " Supercar Sunday " near Whalley in Lancashire where the most viewed amongst the Porsche / Ferrari / Aston / Maciaren "et al" was the little Westfield Eleven, very satisfying.
Bob Whittaker

Hello Bob
The chap you met with the photo album sounds like the same guy I've met a number of times now, lives around Preston area.
We seem to keep missing one another around the local car shows. If I'm correct I met your brother at Chipping show the day after you had attended, and he either took my email address or tel No. If you would like to contact me, maybe we can meet up and talk Westfields/cars.

Alan

I long ago tired of leaky carbs and weak ignitions with failure prone points. Sometimes, progress is good.

I have magnetic triggers for my ignition, which has been incredibly reliable, and keeps me from having to tune the engine twice a year. The stronger ignition gives better performance, too. While I like crank fired ignitions (they get rid of the distributor, which cleans up the cold side of the engine), they are difficult to properly set up, and some have problems with reliability and are difficult to trouble shoot. I have never had a problem with a distributor, which makes tuning completely predictable. I like predictability.

Precise machining makes the BMC A's rear scroll leak less, and having enough breather capacity keeps the engine from being covered with oil.

While I still prefer a carburetor on the older engines, modern fuel injection does improve power and fuel economy, but sometimes lacks the immediacy of a good Weber.

Also, it is really difficult to properly tune an injection system. To be fair, a Weber can be problematic as well.

The Miata engine is a wonderful engine, and the lazy throttle response is easy to fix with a light alloy flywheel. The whole idea of the Miata based Westfield was to make the car easier to build, with readily available engines that can be found in the US.

I love the romance of the older sports racers, enjoy the feel in the steering imparted by bias ply race tires, and the natural ability to drift through the corners. I love the response of the engines, and knowing that my car has parts that keep the architecture true to form.

But I have no time for leaks and unreliable systems that keep the car from running when i want to enjoy it.

Even my old cars have good brakes. Even my single master cylinder, early W11.