Megablade westfield
24 April 2006, 06:29 PM
#32
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Caterhams are the original version of the 7, they are better finished than a westfield, more aluminium bodywork etc....seem to fetch big money though. I got taken for a spin in a busa engined westie with 160Brake, loads of carbon bodywork...brown trousers! I used to have a westfield with a 2l pinto, only 100@the wheels, but it still flew. I sold it mainly for the reason that death can be fatal 
24 April 2006, 08:05 PM
#33
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They are amazingly safe so long as you dont have a side impact. But most cars are very weak on side impact anyway.
But I would much rather roll a 7 than most other cars, they wheels tend to break off absorbing lots of energy. I know several people who have rolled and walked away.
Frontal impacts are also quite safe, as most cars have 4 point harnesses. Rear impacts, not the best due to the fuel tank but if you have a bag tank its safer.
Westfield and Caterham are quite similar, the main difference being the body work and suspension set ups, but Caterham have just done a full IRS set up for the first time so now very similar to Westfield.
Caterham is the "origional" but to drive there is not all that much difference, if you drove a bike powered Caterham and Westfield back to back it would be hard to tell any major differences.
The main thing with Caterham is the history of Lotus, but the company has now changed hands from the Nearn family who purchased it off Colin Chapman in the 60s and the history is slowly being lost, especially if you look at the SV, its not light or small and goes against all of Chapmans "rules".
It will be interesting to see what Ansar Ali (the new owner) has in store for Caterham, but all the owners are hoping he has not changes on the horizon - but just look at the news from TVR today.. not good.
But I would much rather roll a 7 than most other cars, they wheels tend to break off absorbing lots of energy. I know several people who have rolled and walked away.
Frontal impacts are also quite safe, as most cars have 4 point harnesses. Rear impacts, not the best due to the fuel tank but if you have a bag tank its safer.
Westfield and Caterham are quite similar, the main difference being the body work and suspension set ups, but Caterham have just done a full IRS set up for the first time so now very similar to Westfield.
Caterham is the "origional" but to drive there is not all that much difference, if you drove a bike powered Caterham and Westfield back to back it would be hard to tell any major differences.
The main thing with Caterham is the history of Lotus, but the company has now changed hands from the Nearn family who purchased it off Colin Chapman in the 60s and the history is slowly being lost, especially if you look at the SV, its not light or small and goes against all of Chapmans "rules".
It will be interesting to see what Ansar Ali (the new owner) has in store for Caterham, but all the owners are hoping he has not changes on the horizon - but just look at the news from TVR today.. not good.
24 April 2006, 08:08 PM
#34
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http://community.webshots.com/photo/...14728301fuNDeB
This is what a rolled 7 looks like, passenger walked away with minor injuries and driver had stay in hospital but lived to drive another day.
This is what a rolled 7 looks like, passenger walked away with minor injuries and driver had stay in hospital but lived to drive another day.
30 April 2006, 09:46 AM
#38
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It's great, completely different to anything I've had before.
Controls are all quite heavy, particularly the steering at parking speeds. I'm getting used to the strange layout of the indicators etc.
Almost lost the roof yesterday as I hadn't all the poppers done up!!
I'm a little short for the seat, might need to get an adjustable setup installed for the seat, as the steering wheel is a bit far away.
It is a little spluttery low down in the rev range
I'm going to get the carbs balanced next week
It's a whole new ball game and I'm having fun reading the WSCC forum but I'll not abandon scoobynet.
Andy
Controls are all quite heavy, particularly the steering at parking speeds. I'm getting used to the strange layout of the indicators etc.
Almost lost the roof yesterday as I hadn't all the poppers done up!!
I'm a little short for the seat, might need to get an adjustable setup installed for the seat, as the steering wheel is a bit far away.
It is a little spluttery low down in the rev range
I'm going to get the carbs balanced next week
It's a whole new ball game and I'm having fun reading the WSCC forum but I'll not abandon scoobynet.
Andy
30 April 2006, 04:39 PM
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went up to kirkistown today had a great run up and down, didn't go out on track.
Mighty fun very different to the scoob, on the whole I'm slower in it than in the STI but great fun!
I'm going to enjoy owning this!
Mighty fun very different to the scoob, on the whole I'm slower in it than in the STI but great fun!
I'm going to enjoy owning this!
30 April 2006, 05:10 PM
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You might be slower at the moment but once you learn to drive it you will be miles faster. Re the seat, a lot of people make foam seats as they are cheap and very comfy. Also, dont forget to measure your head from the top of the roll bar - you want to be a good 50mm below the bar.
30 April 2006, 05:17 PM
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no problem with that I'm a bit of a short ****, one thing I am very pleased with is the immediate grunt when you accelerate (out of a junction for example) no waiting for the turbo to spin up
30 April 2006, 08:53 PM
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03 May 2006, 07:11 PM
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Get some pictures of your new purchase up!
Took mine out for it's first real drive on Monday - complained a bit starting up(stood for months), but once going and warmed up I didnt have a problem remembering why I bought it
Took mine out for it's first real drive on Monday - complained a bit starting up(stood for months), but once going and warmed up I didnt have a problem remembering why I bought it
03 May 2006, 08:47 PM
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andy - start using it in anger. trackdays, sprints, hillclimbs, the works! westies are a popular choice 
me at the spelga hillclimb a few weeks ago http://www.powercars.co.uk
steven
me at the spelga hillclimb a few weeks ago http://www.powercars.co.uk
steven
03 May 2006, 11:02 PM
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At this point I have no way of hosting pics on line (really should sort that out).
http://www.nise7ens.net/memberscars.htm should have some pics of the car up here soon.
Andy
http://www.nise7ens.net/memberscars.htm should have some pics of the car up here soon.
Andy
03 May 2006, 11:22 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by midget1500
what tyres did you go for?
A048R's?
ACB10's?
R888's?
A048R's?
ACB10's?
R888's?
Love the photo of the midget!
A
04 May 2006, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy W STI
At this point I have no way of hosting pics on line (really should sort that out).
http://www.nise7ens.net/memberscars.htm should have some pics of the car up here soon.
Andy
http://www.nise7ens.net/memberscars.htm should have some pics of the car up here soon.
Andy
