Westfield Sportscars gives old Miatas new lease on life
End of Life Vehicle Regulations will become more stringent in the U.K. in January, and as a result some companies are finding creative ways to reuse those vehicles that were once thought destined for the scrap heap. Westfield Sportscars, a kit car manufacturer in the U.K., has developed a new kit that can transform one's rotting first generation Miata, which has always been known as the MX-5 in Europe, into a practically brand new two seat, open-top sports car.The donor cars are usually unuseable in their current state because of decaying body panels, regardless of whether or not their running gear is fine. Westfield says it recycles as much of the MX-5 as possible into the new car, a claim substantiated by the wheels on the car that come straight off of the original.
The idea of recycling a car yourself rather than placing that burden on automakers could catch on if hot, little two-seat British sports cars are the end result. Due to the Miata's popularity with autocrossers and the success of the Spec Miata racing series, however, we doubt many of these iconic roadsters ever end up on the scrap heap.
[Source: Westfield Sportscars via Piston Heads
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eric hampson 8:29AM (9/29/2008)
My son in law and I have almost completed a Westfield from an Mx5 1.8 donor. The engine is running very smoothly but we do not know where to connect the bottom pipe from the carbon canister. It seems to be under no vacuum and does not alter the engine performance by being unconnected. But it looks as if it it should be connected to something!! Any help greatly appreciated. Eric & Gary
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Sue Esponte 12:57PM (7/13/2006)
Looks like a home built Locust. Check out this site for more info: http://www.locustenthusiastsclub.fsnet.co.uk/about/about.htm
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Chris 1:18PM (7/13/2006)
that is very similar to factory five's donor car concept for the shelby cobra replica. fun stuff.
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PJ 2:43PM (7/13/2006)
This isn't as likely to be relevant to the U.S. as it is to the U.K., considering that their wetter weather leads to far more rust/rot problems than we experience over here.
I find the concept fascinating, though. It's too bad the link doesn't give more details on just how many parts can be re-used, but I bet the final product is a hoot to drive. 118 horses is plenty when your car weighs less than 2,000 lbs.
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Mike 2:46PM (7/13/2006)
cost for the kit and US availability? Ideas are flying through my head right now...
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Jeff the Baptist 2:57PM (7/13/2006)
I wonder, does anyone make something similar for the US market?
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Dave C 5:00PM (7/13/2006)
#4 There was a manufacturer that made a body kit for the old Miatas in the States. It kind of turned the Miata into an Alfaferrarilotusee look.
Dave
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nderwater 5:06PM (7/13/2006)
Links to Miata-based Lotus Seven clone info:
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/what.php
http://www.grmotorsports.com/archives/locost.html
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Howard Kerr 5:17PM (7/13/2006)
Pick up the magazine Kit Cars and I imagine you will find at least a few similar products...this isn't new. I think instead of all these kit car companies using a Lotus 7 as their "starting point" it would be nice if they used some of Chapman's other great designs....like the '60s model Lotus Europa which was available in this country with a mid-mounted Renault engine.
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Robert 5:51PM (7/13/2006)
This is brilliant to me. Combine the experience and ability of Westfield with the availability and dependability of a Miata and you very easily could have the world’s best sports car for the money.
From their site, “With the reliability and the vast availability of the Mazda components we feel that this will help us increase kit car production with in the UK. Once a market is established, we will be looking to export the kit cars to our new dealer in the USA and an established dealer in Australia as just like the UK the Mazda MX5 is a popular car. We have already received publicity in the USA for this new project and interest is high.”
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Sean L 9:04AM (7/14/2006)
I contacted the company about the kit (I have an aging 1.6L Miat) and here is what they said:
Thank you for your inquiry. We are just in the process of ramping up sales
for this Single Donor Vehicle kit from Westfield here in the States. The
Westfield SEi kit based on the Miata is currently available to order. The
lead time on production is currently 4-6 weeks, and the subsequent
trans-Atlantic freight of 2-3 weeks.
The price for the kit, less the Miata bits, landed at the port in New
Jersey will be $13,499.
A specific list of the items needed from the Miata are outlined below:
1. 1.6L Engine and Gearbox - complete with inlet track & exhaust manifold
and lambda sensor
2. Air box and air flow meter and both pieces of pipe work and retaining
clips and air box mounting rubbers
3. Complete wiring loom, ECU, fuse boxes, dashboard switches, clutch
pedal switch, sensors and relays (NOTE: Label every connection when
disconnecting for ease of reconnecting)
4. Instrument panel Cluster
5. Upper steering column including steering wheel, crash pad, indicator
stalks, ignition barrel and key and top and bottom cowl
6. Lower steering column (needs modifying)
7. Diff and Casing complete with rubber mounting bushes and buffer plates
8. Rear uprights, hubs, discs and calipers including top upright rubber
bush still fitted
9. Handbrake lever and cables, compensator and all fittings including
retaining spring clips
10. Steering rack track rod end joints and nuts
11. Front uprights, hubs, discs and calipers
12. Wheels and tires and wheel nuts
13. Propshaft (needs modifying)
14. Driveshafts including joints, lock nuts and hub nuts
15. Front bottom ball joints including castle nuts
16. Horns
17. Cooling Fan
18. Side Repeaters
19. Fuel filter and bracket
20. Carbon Canister, pipe work and mounting bracket
21. Catalyst converter
22. Interior mirror
23. Screen washer bottle and pump
24. Battery and mounting tray including clamp and fixings
25. As many nuts, bolts and fasteners as you can save
We will have some pictures of the Westfield with the Miata engine and
parts in it shortly (was shot for a magazine article late last month).
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