The Westfield XI (or Westfield Eleven) is a British sports car and kit car based on the Lotus Eleven.
| Westfield XI | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Westfield Sportscars |
| Production | 1982 – 2022 |
| 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) |
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.[citation needed]
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 edit
- ^ Westfield Lotus Eleven Sports Racer, retrieved 7 February 2014
- ^ Manik Technologies Westfield XI FAQ, retrieved 7 February 2014
- ^ Peter Egan (October 1983), "Crate Expectations: Building Westfield's Lotus 11 replica", Road and Track, retrieved 7 February 2014
- ^ Peter Egan (June 1984), "Northeast by Westfield", Road and Track, retrieved 7 February 2014
- ^ Westfield XI kits - Westfield Sportscars, retrieved 7 February 2014
External links edit
- Westfield Sportscars Ltd.
- Westfield XI at Manik Technologies, current USA distributor for the XI
- Review of the Westfield XI by Car and Driver, June 2008
- Review of the Wesfield XI by EVO magazine, March 2005
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