DBs seven Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 This is the second Mazda Sport to enter the USA and also the car that prompted Jonny Lieberman from www.Jalopnik.com to state that a Lotus Elise now feels like a "fat sloppy pig" and this very Westfield was "the car he would take home" . This very car was also the most popular "7" type car at the Carlisle show.This was also the Westfield USA display car. Upgrades include powder coated chassis and suspension, race seats on slide mounts, 5 point 3 inch harnesses, removable steering wheel, quick steering rack, nylon suspension bushings , heated windshield, long range fuel tank, Westfield shift knob, trunk tonneau cover and removable rear fenders. The following new parts fitted to the Miata donor components include - Slotted and cross drilled brake rotors, new brake pads, water pump, timing belt and tensioner, plug wires, spark plugs, front and rear crank seals, transmission input and output seals, clutch, clutch slave cylinder, shift lever seal, valve cover gasket, synthetic fluids, thermostat, exhaust header gaskets and all filters. All donor components were painted/reconditioned and look better than new. Tyres are Kumho Victoracers. A North Carolina title will be supplied to the new owner of this fantastic car. Please read the articles in our news section to see what the press had to say about the car. You will find many pictures from the build on our website. The mileage is currently 1500 but this may alter slightly . $23,750.00 FAQ'S Q - are the decals painted on or stickers ? A - They are all stickers and are easily removed including the white number background. Q - can a higher roll bar be fitted ? A - Yes , one is available from Westfield and will bolt onto the existing mounts already welded onto the frame. The bar is a 4 point with a diagonal and is called the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) approved bar. The boot box will have to be cut and the boot tonneau modified or replaced with one that has 4 x holes.Please remember that I am 6ft 6ins so most people will be under the bar. Q - Is weather gear available ? A - Yes , full weather gear including roof and side screens are available from Westfield, The mounting points for the roof are already fitted to the chasis and windshield. Q - Are stone guards available for the rear fenders ? A - Yes and are available from Westfield in either aluminum or Carbox effect. Front cycle wings are also available in the same finish. The car currently has "clear bra" protective material on all impact areas to avoid any chips. Q - where is the car made ? A - England of course and have been for 26 years.We also make warm beer and fish and chips !!!!!! Please call Doug on 919 219 9470 or doug@autopro-motorsport.com if you have any further questions http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/979291778_7 westfield frt.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/733316190_finished engineMove.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2115998550_finished seatsMove.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1399331576_club1124-02245 web.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Here is a review from Piston Heads in the UK.Interesting comments when compared to the 1.8 I thought. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=30&t=329053 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Hi Guys We are considering fitting even more options to our car and are wondering what you guys would like to see on the car. Every option on the car so far is from Westfield and we would like to stick to their parts store so please let us know. Here is the link - http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/shop/default.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 First off, why hasn't this car sold yet??? As far as options, I thought it'd be nice to have the aeroscreen kit if it's interchangeable with the windscreen. Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Aeroscreen , nice one ! This will involve changing the scuttle too but it is very easy. We always had the intention during the original build to not put anything on the car that would leave scars if upgrades were done so we opted for the standard roll bar. We are now considering an RAC bar which will need 2 x slots cut in the trunk . Is a 4 point bar a big "must have" for everyone ?With the current spec on the car , just about any of Westfields options can be installed easily either by us or the new owner. We have been a little off the pace with selling the car as our Grand Am schedule has kept us busy but this car will find a new home soon hopefully. Your upgrade ideas are being noted as we would really like to know what needs to go on the car to attract a new owner. Thanks Guys !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I'm not in the market to buy, but IMHO a 4 point roll bar is a very good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Is a 4 point bar a big "must have" for everyone ? I would have to say 'yes'. Not only is it sturdier, but I think it looks better as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Thankyou !! And I totally agree about the safety factor. The RAC bar is also higher . How about weather gear ? Roof and side screens (impossible with aero screen) or a full tonneau as here - http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/shop/product.asp?numRecordPosition=4&P_ID=293&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=80 or really not a deciding factor ?. I personally like the trunk tonneau to stop things blowing out of it but am not really swayed either way about weather gear as I only drive it on dry days and if it rains , well tough !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Definitely add a proper roll bar. The standard bar is only good for pushing the car around the garage. Lots of information on WSCC about the various ways to handle the boot box slots, so worth doing a search before pulling out the Dremel. I went a different route with my car and built a new boot box out of aluminum that accommodates the rear stays, yet also increases storage space by 20%. It’s not in keeping with your goal of using only factory parts, but if you are interested drop me a PM and I’ll send you photos. I personally don’t think the aeroscreen will broaden the car’s appeal. Although they reportedly work great, their lack of protection can be a turn off for someone who wants to use the car primarily on the street. It could turn out to just be another reason someone says no, as opposed to a reason they say yes. Weather gear is a tougher one. Side screens are nice to have, but I hate the top and didn’t bother to install it during my rebuild. I think a half hood is a much better option. Keeps you almost as dry and isn’t as claustrophobic. Of course potential buyers might find comfort in knowing that they have the option of using the top even if they never plan to drive the car in the rain. Why this car hasn’t already sold at this price is beyond me. I have only read positive things about it (by Caterham owners no less! ) and I would think that the Miata drivetrain would be seen as a plus here in the States. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I personally don’t think the aeroscreen will broaden the car’s appeal. Although they reportedly work great, their lack of protection can be a turn off for someone who wants to use the car primarily on the street. It could turn out to just be another reason someone says no, as opposed to a reason they say yes. Agreed, especially since it would cost you money to fit one. I think that the full windscreen appeals to more potential buyers. Weather gear is a tougher one. Side screens are nice to have, but I hate the top and didn’t bother to install it during my rebuild. I think a half hood is a much better option. Keeps you almost as dry and isn’t as claustrophobic. Of course potential buyers might find comfort in knowing that they have the option of using the top even if they never plan to drive the car in the rain. I personally wouldn't spend money on weather gear if I were trying to sell the car. Anyone who is (realistically) looking at buying this car is looking for a fair-weather car. If they want weather gear, let them buy it. I doubt that would be a deal-breaker for most buyers since the gear is readily available from Westfield. However, perhaps you could negotiate with a buyer that really wants it -- offer to pay half? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Thanks again guys ! The roll bar shall be ordered and I think that John has been to Raleigh and watched me pushing my car around , the stock bar is a very good handle !!! John - what do you mean by the Half Hood ? Please do send some pics of your boot box , my email is doug@autopro-motorsport.com I have fitted the roll bar to several cars in the UK at our other facility but will check out WSCC as I am always open to new ideas. I agree about the Miata drivetrain and with so many donor components , if you can work on a Miata , you can fix this too , it just has about half the wiring !! The car did get great reviews and thankyou for reading them. This really is a great car and as the dollar is so weak vs the GBP , it is getting a bigger bargain as time goes on. I would love to keep the car for my son but as he is only 3 months old and we are a Westfield dealer , I really think that I should do my duty and carry on trying to populate the USA with these fantastic cars. So far the full weather gear seems to be out although side screens may be in. The roll bar seems to be 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 A half hood is also referred to as a bikini top. Jill Judd started making them for Caterhams and has subsequently done them for Westfields. The Flyin Miata guys had one made locally for their car, and I did the same since I have a custom made roll bar that wouldn’t work with Jill’s version. I’ll send you a link to photos of my bootbox. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locostv8 Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 If you were to change anything I would think the Caged racebar would be a worthwhile change on a demo car with a bikini top and possibly doors. http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/shop/product.asp?numRecordPosition=9&P_ID=412&strPageHistory=&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=79 http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/shop/uploads/images_products/412.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 I will send Jill an email for a quote , thanks. I have seen all's and it looks great quality. The full cage will be fitted onto the next car as this will be aimed directly at the track enthusiast but I aimed this car for the road and track so a full cage may be a little extreme. The full cage does complement the aeroscreen very well though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 This lovely car is probably too modestly powered to be a dominating track car-respectable yes, but not an ultimate track-rat(of course you cld add some FM turbo power). So I wld be inclined to go for the more aggressive roll-over bar and full weather kit and skip the cage. I use my Caterham as a semi-daily driver and have put abt 8K on in in my 14 months of ownership. There have been very few days during that period when it wasnt at least somewhat likey to rain. On yesterday's 300 mile trip it rained 4 separate times. This Westfield seems to have the same potential to be a car that can be reliably driven to work and on trips yet hold its own, tho not dominate, as a track car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 We run this car at VIR on club days and have been very impressed with the performance . Will it take a Porsche 911 GT3 ? no , of course not but it will suprise them in the corners . We regularly outperform boxter , mini cooper , spec miata, mustang and RX8 owners to name a few.This car was always intended to be ultra reliable on cruises , in traffic and on the track. This is a car you can drive to and on the track aswell as back home again and we often do just that ! I had the car tested by a company that instructs in a similar design car and he freely admitted that the Westfield handled far better and was actually the most neutral handling car he had ever driven. Another vote for the RAC bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparecr Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Is there a chance you or the car will be at the Grand Am event in Birmingham this weekend. I have a friend in the local car club wanting a Miata powered 7, I keep meaning to forward this to him. It would be great to get the two of you together this weekend if you are around Barber. If you are PM me and I will get you my cell so the two of you can get in touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 I will not be there unfortunately. I do some work for a Grand Am team but we run in the "koni" challenge. The cars in Birmingham will be the Rolex cars only. We are very close to Raleigh Durham airport (about 5 mins) so if you ever wanted to fly in and take a look , I could pick you up . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 OK - Parts are ordered !!! RAC bar , side screens and we will also be adding a half hood. Thankyou to everyone so far for suggestions and please keep them coming. Next question - Who wants to buy it then ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Paint it black, make it a Megabusa, and I'll buy it for $25k. I have the cash in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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