2013 Westfield Eleven

This particular XI was apparently professionally assembled for famous historic Mini racer and engine builder Nick Swift of Swiftune fame. According to the vendor, this XI’s specification includes “A Swiftune 1430cc A series engine, forged pistons, 84mm crankshaft, high torque SW5 camshaft, single Weber 45 DCOE carburettor, all connected to a Ford Type 9 five-speed gearbox. This would emulate the 1460cc Coventry climax engine used in period.”

Although built to a fairly comprehensive circuit specification, the car has spent its time since 2013, pampered and on the road, the vendor mentioning the following use. “The car didn’t have an MoT at the time and I purchased it with the idea of improving it and taking it to car shows or maybe the odd track day with my father. Having been to the Le Mans Classic a couple of years ago there was also the thought of doing this too. 

“The car has only covered just under 3000 miles since new and has clearly been a cherished ‘garage queen’. Recent work I have done includes new front discs and pads and new rear brake shoes. I’m only considering selling her as my father finds it just too difficult to get in and out of it, and the whole reason for buying the car in the first place was enjoying it together at car shows and the like.”

If you’re setting out to replicate a Lotus from the golden pre-Hethel era then dark green panels over yellow Team Lotus decals certainly sells the dream. The fared-in headlamps also aids that 1950s Le Mans racer vibe, in this instance they’re also looking clear and crack-free. The fibreglass bodywork of this Westfield beautifully follows the flowing and organic styling work of Costin, form following function to perfection. The panels look very presentable – this is one would-be racer that doesn’t appear to have seen the business end of a gravel trap.

The side-exit exhaust, MG wire wheels (octagon centre caps the giveaway) and bright red seats make this XI a visual feast. We’re not surprised the graphics have been added by a previous owner, complete with a matching retro style race helmet and goggles. It’s the motoring equivalent 1950s Le Mans dress up, and it’s just the deal for rocking up to the Goodwood Revival, in your period Team Lotus overalls, stepping out of your little racer. Or perhaps that’s just our fantasy…

The Lotus cosplay continues in the cabin with Chapman’s famous initials adorning the centre wheel boss and the top of the gear lever. The former sits within the centre of a beautiful wood rim steering wheel. The doors fold down to make entry and exit a little more convenient, but it’s still a long drop down into those seats, certainly not for the frail or bad of back.

Carpets have been removed to allow views of the alloy floors, which also increases the authentic vintage racing feel (the carpets do come with the car should the new purchaser wish to reinstall them). The red leather bucket seats (driver’s head pad on the rear bodywork) look like a snug fit, but that’s bound to be the case in this truly tiny machine. There’s quite an intrusive transmission tunnel too, so you might want to get some measurements worked out before bidding. Four-point harnesses are found in place of belts and there’s an awkwardly located handbrake on the passenger side, but on the plus side, there are lovely analogue dials with a digital odometer LCD inset into the speedometer.

It's all function in here, with very few concessions to comfort, just as it should be with any faithful racing replica. Fine for local jaunts to summer shows, but perhaps a little testing for cross continental shleps.

These Westfields are based around the mechanical components from pre-1974 MG Midgets/Austin-Healey Sprites. That means a lot of the same mechanical characteristics are shared, as the steering, rear axle and engine are all donated from the aforementioned, and similarly diminutive, roadsters.

Obviously, the body isn’t a creation of Abingdon. The one-piece front end and doors, as well as much of the rest of the body are all crafted by Westfield in glass fibre. The inner skins of the doors and the bonnet underside give the game away that these aren’t alloy creations akin to those covering their Lotus muse.

Under that huge front clip, we see a neatly heat wrapped exhaust and similarly precise braided steel line and fresh rubber hoses feeding the vital fluids to a Swiftune forged A series motor. The latter is proudly covered in Swiftune tags and an almost comically long Maniflow intake manifold, that carries air and fuel from the single large Weber 45DCOE carburettor. There are plenty of similarly exposed and interesting mechanical bits under here and, even for those who don’t know what they’re looking at, it’s all still very clean old-school and fascinating.

There are some tiny bits of surface corrosion on the nearside front of the chassis and a little more on the underside, but really these seem to be just tiny surface imperfections. Luminition HT leads carry the high-tension current though one of the boots on the bulkhead looks slightly perished. Height adjustable coil over suspension is also just visible up front, canted over at a very racy angle, presumably allowing some degree of adjustability.

Understandably, as it’s a bit of a toy and was only built a decade ago, there’s not a lot of paperwork to accompany this Westfield XI, though there’s enough from the previous owners and the vendor to chart the car’s relatively brief existence.

The Team Lotus graphics were apparently added in 2020, according to an invoice in the folder showing a bill for the customising of the car and vintage-type helmet by the Vinyl Wrapping Company Ltd. Leeds (£470). Westfield provided an anti-roll bar with an accompanying invoice for £192.68 also from 2020 and there’s a Westfield XI build guide also included in the history file, alongside all the relevant DVLA registration documentation.

The vendor bought this fabulous little Lotus lookalike to enjoy with his father, who is sadly no longer able to get in and out of it easily. The car’s first owner being Mini ace Nick Swift and its second owner Mark Burnett, MD of Burlen Ltd. (vintage and classic car fuel system business), shows that the people who love this little replica know about cars. 

Now it’s been MoT’d and made road legal there’s nothing stopping you popping to the pub (for a soft drink) on a summer’s eve, or blasting to that local car show, or even whipping around a track. There’s very little that’s beyond the realms of possibility in this enduring little slice of motor sport nostalgia. It even comes with a tailored cover to keep it looking its best while tucked away during less green and pleasant seasons.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.