Westfield XI

Westfield XI
Overview
Manufacturer Westfield Sportscars
Production 1982 – present
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 1,275 cc BMC A-Series engine
Transmission 4 or 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,286 mm (90.0 in)
Length 3,657 mm (144.0 in)
Width 1,625 mm (64.0 in)
Height To top of screen: 863 mm (34.0 in)
Curb weight From 530 kg (1,170 lb)

The Westfield XI (or Westfield Eleven) is a British sports car and kit car based on the Lotus Eleven.

In 1982 Westfield Sportscars, responding to the popularity of the original Lotus XI, started production of a replica with a fiberglass body available as either a finished car or kit car. Initially called the Westfield Sports, the factory-finished cars were usually fitted with an uprated 1,275 cc (77.8 cu in) BMC A-Series engine, although some factory cars were fitted with Ford Kents.

The majority of Westfield XIs are sold as self-build kits without engines and designed to accept the 1275cc A-series from a donor MG Midget or Austin-Healey Sprite. Owners have fitted a variety of engines, including Coventry Climaxes, Lotus twin-cams and Alfa Romeo engines,[1] although engine fitment is limited by the small size of the engine bay. The kit is designed to utilise other components from a donor Sprite or Midget: the rear axle (modified by Westfield), gearbox, driveshaft, front upright/brake assembly, radiator, wheels/tyres, steering rack, wiring, and gauges.[2]

In 1983 and 1984, Road & Track featured two articles about the Westfield XI, telling the story of how the magazine's team built a kit car and subsequently took it for a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) cross-country trip from California to Wisconsin. This article raised awareness of the car in the United States and led to more sales.[3][4]

Production of the original Westfield XI ceased in 1986, although the company offered kits until about 1988. In 2004 Westfield restarted production, still using the A-series engine. Westfield continues to offer the XI kit in small production batches.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Westfield Lotus Eleven Sports Racer, retrieved 7 Feb 2014
  2. ↑ Manik Technologies Westfield XI FAQ, retrieved 7 Feb 2014
  3. ↑ Peter Egan (October 1983), "Crate Expectations: Building Westfield's Lotus 11 replica", Road and Track, retrieved 7 Feb 2014
  4. ↑ Peter Egan (June 1984), "Northeast by Westfield", Road and Track, retrieved 7 Feb 2014
  5. ↑ Westfield XI kits - Westfield Sportscars, retrieved 7 Feb 2014
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