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Westfield XI progress report #2

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Westfield_XI

Westfield_XI

Jedi Warrior
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Got a lot done this week until running out of sheet metal around 3:00 this afternoon. The air ducting for the radiator is done, the fiberglass closeout panels for the side pods are drilled and fitted, and the whole forward shrouding and ducting is trimmed to the body contour.

I had next planned on masking the chassis off to spray sound/heat proofing on all the alloy panels. But I got to looking at the rear of the chassis behind the axle assembly..... I installed the rear bodywork and crawled in to have a look: it seems there is room for a good sized storage box under there! Off with the tailpiece and a few hours later I had built an alloy box by enclosing the square tube frame with sheet metal. I extended it up past the frame using 3/4" alloy angle and used piano hinge to make a folding lid. The whole thing is removable since it's attached to the frame with screws.

Now I am finally starting to mask the frame tubes and exterior aluminum on the side pods to spray the Lizardskin. It requires the temp to be above 60 degrees before I can start so I am also waiting for the weather.
 
Sounds like you've been busy. Hope you're enjoying the work as well.
 
Yes I'd like to see pics as well.. This is a project that I'd like to get into one day..
 
Is it done yet?



here is a real one for sale to get you excited /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-195...sspagenameZWDVW

56LotusXIOutside0005.JPG
 
I have been on hiatus for the past month: we have taken a 2nd home in Tucson, Az. and have been there furnishing the house. However I am back in LA now and have started to organise my workshop. I found a roll-up garage to rent so now I am no longer building under a tent in my side yard. Unfortunately the day laborers who helped me move just piled everything up in the middle of the floor. It has taken me the past 4 days to tidy up the place. Yesterday I began building a second level attic for storage and Wednesday I need only screw down the flooring and then I can return to car assembly.

This interruption has put my plans back a bit, but it was too good to pass up. 13'x20' with a 13'x10' storage loft for $400 a month. And less than 10 minutes door to door from my home.
 
Sounds IDEAL!!!

Just so long as you make allowance for a properly stocked fridge, too! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
I need to put that on my list!! Seriously, the portable swamp cooler has been a godsend: keeps the temp inside below 80 even at mid afternoon. The parking lot was just jet sealed and re painted so it's very black and very hot. This was perfect for my task this past week: spraying on the Lizadrskin sound and heat barriers. It is water based so it was very quick to spray a panel and then lay it on the asphalt to dry. It went so well that today I coated the last pieces and began reinstalling them. I am using a fuel proof adhesive sealant instead of the silicone RTV used by the factory. The sealant is the same dark grey color as the Lizardskin so it all looks pretty good. The downside is that I have added a bit less than 20 lbs to the final weight, but if it works to keep my feet cool it is a fair trade. Also it makes the underhood area a uniform color and texture as well.

Anyway I am almost back to square one!! I hope start bolting on the mechanicals in a day or two and have it on the wheels and steerable in a few days after that.
 
This is good news, indeed! A "solar oven" for FREE!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

The extra weight is hardly a concern, as it allows you some small measure of comfort... ya ain't runnin' LeMans with this thing! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
LOL, try telling that to the old timers on the yahoo westfield list, I think they have given up on converting this heathen to the church of Colin Chapman. I have no respect for the sancity of Chunkys original design: I thought they were gonna die of apoplexy when I mused about using titanium bolts on the suspension. The phrase "purity of design" was used in conjunction with the word "desecration"!!!
 
Heheee!!! You've run face-first into some really zealous (albeit misguided, IMO) purists then... Heck, Chapman would laud titanium fasteners!
With enuff of those you'd offset the extra mass of the Lizardskin treatment, NO SWEAT! (pun recognized) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

It ain't like this is one of the original factory cars or somethin'. *sheesh!*
 
OOOhhh!!! Suggest you're contemplatin' stuffin' a STROMBERG head T/C Kent engine in it! (I have a head if you need to be ~convincing~) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Nope, I have APT building a 130hp A-Series for me. It was supposed to be finished in early Dec., but now I am looking for early July. I funny thing is that I was waiting for Grassroots/Vintage Motorsports to finish their Midget series so I could find out the hot ticket for these engines. Now I have learned that the engine in line after mine is for the magazine, they are gonna have to wait for me!!

The hold up now is their dyno, it has been down hard for at least a month.

Good thing I have had all these other delays, I haven't been waiting on them.

BTW, do you think anyone might want to come by my shop in Reseda to check out the kit? It would be fun to have a Lotus (and others) open house before I head back to Tucson in mid July.
 
I just thought the idea of a "modern" twin-cam would be good to wave under their noses...

Wish I were closer, I'd be a "regular" around there. "Garage Wallah". /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Thanks, I just registered and posted over there.
 
heh... oddly, I'd read the question over there before here. I'm not driving a Lotus (yet), but will be more than happy to show up in my B for a look see /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
DO that! We will turn you to the TRUE (Black Lotus) Dark Side YET!!!


BWUHAAHAAHAAAA!!!!!!!!1!!

*choke* *gasp*
 
heh... I had no idea that Dr. E was for Dr Evil /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
Westfield_XI said:
...BTW, do you think anyone might want to come by my shop in Reseda to check out the kit? ..
Click to expand...
Count me in! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif


PC.
 
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