new guy in need of pricing help

[johnghini]

HI,

 

New to 7's and your site- great to be here.

 

I am on the verge of puchasing a Westfield. Current owner is local to me and a friend-of-a-friend. We're at the point where I need to make an offer on the car, but I don't know nearly enough to know what's proper. I am not going to steal it but at the same time, I don't know all the model differences to know which command higher prices. I am hoping if I list what the car is, that someone here can give me a realistic ballpark value.

 

1996 SEi widebody / 1700 Kent with a type 9 box / 244 cam? / car assembled by Bob Yarwood / Spax shocks / regular seats / standard roll bar / locking trunk area / hood but no doors / 15" wheels...not minilites or anything special / Long front fenders / heater / carpet kit / 45 carbs but no airfilter only the trumpets?? / vented front disk brakes / aluminum hubs / long range fuel tank / car has about 8000 miles and is in nice shape but not really tricked out and finely detailed like some I see here. Finish has some cracks and chips but overall it looks nice.

 

I read that many of you have more modern motors in your cars. Is the Kent motor now a has-been? I am not going to race this car...only want to drive and enjoy as this is what is replacing my motorcycle.

 

Thanks! John

[BusaNostra]

Its hard to put a price on specialty cars, replica cars, clone cars or whatever they called 'em.

If the car is a real lotus 7, then its pretty easy to find the pricing. Not too many Westfield around

here, my suggestion is to browse the Ebay in England and convert the price. You will get

a pretty good idea how much they sell the exact car and engine.

 

I think if you love the car, no resistance from wifey and the car is already registered, its half the battle!

 

In regards to the Kent engine, I heard good things about the engine. They are very reliable.

I say, start from this engine and learn more about the Seven. You will enjoy the car even if its a lawn mower engine.

 

Someday, when you need more power start tweaking the engine. Once you touch the engine

the fun begins :hurray: You will go to heaven or go to hell.

[Ian7]

Hi John

Ditto the "hard to tell" on the price, but thought I'd throw this in: $20k max (let the debate begin...)

 

I have a Kent powered Caterham. The one you are looking at with 45DCOE carbs and the 244 cam will be a bit peaky with regards to power.

As a daily around-town, it might not be ideal, but if track-days are your goal, let 'er rip.

[JohnCh]

Hi John,

 

Nothing wrong with a Crossflow (Kent). I used to have one and although they may not make a ton of power, they still have enough to be entertaining, and no 4-banger sounds better. A Westfield very similar to the one you describe just sold a couple of weeks ago for (I believe) $14k. The ad is here. I can put you in touch with the seller if you like.

 

Ian7 brings up a great point about 45DCOEs and the Kent 244 cam. Are you sure those are the right parts? All the Yarwood cars I've heard about have the Kent 234 and 40DCOEs, which is a very tractable combo.

 

-John