Westfield Zei220

Why?

Back in 1997 I started building a Tiger Cat which was finally completed during Autumn 1999. Over the next couple of years I made substantial upgrades to its performance, handling and overall finish.

When I started the Tiger I had absolutely no mechanical knowledge, tools or sensible place to build it. Over the course of the build and subsequent upgrades my experience grew, as did my tool collection until eventually 2 house moves later I had a decent double garage in which to work!

By this point I knew that if I was doing things again I would find it a lot easier and would do a much better job of things. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the tiger, just lots of areas which although perfectly adequate weren't up to the standard I knew that I could now work to. I was also beginning to hanker for a new project, something more challenging, different and perhaps a little faster.

How?

Since I had a hankering for a faster 7-type car and a desire for a slighly more practical vehicle for the winter months my plan was to:

1. Rebuild a Mini, using either a Yamaha R1 bike engine or a Honda VTEC car engine.
2. Sell the Tiger.
3. Build a new 7, possibly a highly tuned Fury/Phoenix

I have just been informed that my Westfield Zei220 is being written off as a
categoryC write off. :(
This means it is suitable for repair and return to the road so I am being
allowed to buy the car back as salvage. I am losing a few thousand on its real
value so this may be an option for me to try and recoup some funds.

The reason for this mail is simple, to see if there is any SERIOUS interest in
buying this car from me so that it could be rebuilt. I don't have the time or
the heart to spend on it but it would be fantastic if someone out there would
take it on.

The car needs a new chassis and body, although the damage to the body may be
reparable as it's just the front left corner and some nose cone damage, it
depends how mint you want the car really.

The other damage is the front left corner suspension and steering rack.
Obviously it would require you taking a look and judging for yourself but the
rest of the car is perfect. I have a full listing of parts required if you are
interested.

I am considering breaking the car for parts also but would love for this to be
rebuilt.

I really need to make a decision Monday afternoon as to whether I go to the
hassle and risk of buying the car back as I am having to pay more than I would
have liked really.

Please email me on john.felstead@btinternet.com if you are serious, as I don't
want to mess about and don't want to make a big mistake financially. If you
are interested in the parts, mail me too as that would give me something to
work with also.

This is the perfect project for someone who has the time to put into
rebuilding this car, it could be the performance bargain of the year, I just
cant get enthused about doing the work myself. :(

Thanks
John
		  

Now this was something that I just had to investigate, just in case it was going for silly money. The advertised spec was extremely impressive, with 330bhp on top and having been built as the main factory demonstrator. It was actually going for fairly sensible money but by that time I was hooked. Approximately a week later the car turned up on my driveway.

Now what?

The plan now is to get hold of a new chassis,replace all the crunched parts and rebuild the car onto the new chassis, refurbishing as I go. The end result is going to be something like a new car but with a spec rather unlike any other. The engine is unlike anything else apparently, it has so much torque it's ridiculously easy to drive, a bit like a V8, but as soon as it gets given the opportunity to stretch its legs you get a kick in the back from the turbo and off it goes.