1st Drive in 11 replica !!

After more than 3 years of building, 2 complete moves, and untold hours (does sitting with a beer in the garage problem solving/designing count as man-hours?) my Westfield eleven took to the road this morning. It was just a short trip around the block and back into the garage, but it drove under it's own power!

I have a 1 day trip permits for Friday and Monday (Thursday today) and will go over to another eleven owner's garage to set-up the alignment and the suspension geometry. We will also verify the timing and synch the carbs. The engine is an APT 1380 that gives 97hp on 87 octane and was run in on their dyno. I built and installed a MegaJolt electronic ignition and removed the distributor, so it's running on a digital mapped system. The transmission is a Datsun 5-speed and I am running 15" Dunlop race tires (I hope the CHP don't make a fuss!).

I have a CHP appointment on Monday so there is a chance of getting my plates on Tuesday and then I can see about putting some miles on it. Looks like the Rock Store and the Malibu hills will have to wait until next weekend

I will post up a link to some pictures in a couple of days after I finish up doing the interior install, probably on Saturday morning.

WoOT-w00t!!!

Congrats!!!!

...and YES, the beer accompanied cogitation time COUNTS. :thumbsup:

Fantastic!

I'm with Doc -- the beer/thought time always counts!

Way cool, one of those things I have on my list to do, but don't know if I will ever get to it. Pictures? As fun as you thought it would be?

Congrat's on finishing the car & wishing you many miles of fun!

Man, a Lotus 11 replica has gotta be one sweet ride.....can't wait for the photos.

Great! I've seen a few of these and they are truly a neat car. Wuld love to have one if time and space allowed.

Don't feel bad about taking 3 years.

My friend (and fellow racer) Dave Belden took over 25 years to build his Lotus Mk. 9. Or rather, rebuild it...it's not a replica.
Since it's sort of the grandfather of your car, I thought you might be interested.
Dave saw the car race (and win) when it arrived here in the US in 1955 and was very taken with it.
Twenty five years later he had the chance to buy "the pile of bits" that had been the car.
He jumped at the chance.

He retired a few years back and finally got it together.

He tells me it is easy to drive reasonably quickly.

Here's a race video below with Dave's Mk. 9 in it. Dave got a bad start and I passed him, but he got by again in the video about a minute later.

~Race Video~

drooartz said:

Fantastic!

I'm with Doc -- the beer/thought time always counts!

Click to expand...

'cept if you're hiding from a wife....

JamesWilson said:

I'm with Doc -- the beer/thought time always counts!



'cept if you're hiding from a wife....

Click to expand...

Then it counts twice!

I believe there's a chapter or section in every Lotus service manual about using the correct lubricants.

Therefore I concur with the properly applied usage of the proffered libation.

I spend lots of time with beer & thought! More time than building cars!

DrEntropy said:

WoOT-w00t!!!

Congrats!!!!

...and YES, the beer accompanied cogitation time COUNTS. :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

<span style="font-weight: bold">Beer time in the garage always counts, Fantastic !!!!!!!!!</span>

:thumbsup:

Re: 1st Drive--- Pictures & progress report

Thanks, for the support. The bottom line is that I failed the inspections, CHP was fine, they verified the VIN and didn't see the race tires. The headlight/brake inspector wants me to install the E-brake (it's on the shelf in Tucson) which is no problem, but they also want me to raise the headlights by 5 inches. I am at 17" and I need to be at 22" minimum. I think I can get this by screwing in the front spring preload and by lifting the front clamshell on it's mounts. It only has to be like that until it passes inspection and then I can lower it back to the correct ride height.

The Bureau of Auto Repair referee says I need a functioning PCV system before he will sign off on my smog exemption. I can just hook up a quick a dirty system to a port on the back of a K&N, or make up a proper vent system with a catch tank and vent that to the intake. Either way it shouldn't be too hard.

So I am heading back to Tucson and leaving the car here until after Xmas when I will return and correct all the discrepancies and get my plates. Then it's back to AZ to drive it all winter and spring while polishing up the fiberglass gel coat and re-doing the factory interior.


Here is a link to my latest pictures: https://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp192/Westfield11builder/Westfield%2011/Fall%202009/

Re: 1st Drive--- Pictures & progress report

You are obviously gifted with a great suppply of patience.
A much needed character trait for Lotus and it's many off-shoot manufacturer owners.

Good luck with the project.

Al B.

Re: 1st Drive--- Pictures & progress report

Congratulations! I remember when you started this project. I'm really excited to hear it's on the road!

Re: 1st Drive--- Pictures & progress report

Sounds like you are almost there. Looks fantastic. I'll bet the first drive was great. My greatest worry about my Seven project is the registration/insurance bit. Ugh.

Re: 1st Drive--- Pictures & progress report

Were did you get the kit? Are they still available?