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 | October 14, 2008 - This diary shows a typical Westfield build. It's the story of our car from packing the crate in England to track testing and final registration. If you're interested in what it's like to put one of these cars together, here's your chance! Our car was the first LHD Miata-based Westfield, and because of that we faced a couple of problems due to the different packaging. Those problems and their solutions aren't included here, as they're not typical and we don't want to give a misleading impression. The first glimpse of our car! The venting in the FW one-piece nose and hood (called the bonnet by our British friends) is very clear here. entry 1 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Beside our car is what appears to be a body that's being packed up. The hood for that car is the one often used for V8 cars. entry 2 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - This may be our complete kit. The yellow piece is the scuttle, which is the piece of bodywork at the back of the hood that incorporates the dashboard. It's sitting on the dashboard and they're surrounded by various parts such as the exhaust. It's kind of fun to play spot the component. And we thought packing a turbo kit was complex! entry 3 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - The dashboard for our car. Nice looking stuff. entry 4 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - How to pack a Westfield. First, start with a giant crate and put the body and frame inside. entry 5 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Next, wrap the body in cardboard and start filling it with parts such as the steering rack.
entry 6 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - More cardboard, more boxes.
entry 7 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - By the time you've put the one-piece nose in the box and bubble-wrapped it, you'll be so tired you're shaking. Apparently. entry 8 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Sleep tight Westie, you'll wake up in a very different place.
entry 9 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Our future Westfield! No, the valve cover isn't painted black. It's just that dirty. Yuk. entry 10 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - The donor car is on the lift and starting to come apart. And yes, someone stuck an intercooler on it for a test fit. Meanwhile, the crate with the car has finally started moving again and is being trucked across the country. When will it arrive? Not soon enough, that's all we can say. entry 11 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Finally! It's like Christmas here at FM. The giant crate shows up and is immediately torn apart by Keith, Bill and Brandon. entry 12 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Meet Mr Westie, our mascot! Hi kids! entry 13 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Everything you need for a lap record.
entry 14 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Another view of the chassis and body. Everything is made extremely well. entry 15 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - The level of finish on the body panels.
entry 16 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - Control arms. The front arms are at the top of the picture. After seeing these, Keith plans to redo all the suspension on his own car. entry 17 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - The obligatory vroom vroom shot. One of these is required in every build diary. entry 18 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - So, all we do is put that engine in that chassis, then drop the body on top. Right then, let's get to it. entry 19 | |||
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 | October 14, 2008 - First step - start drilling holes for the aluminum panels.
entry 20 | |||
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