2016 Westfield X1

It’s pretty obvious that the build quality and finish of an enthusiast-built Westfield XI will be a fair reflection of the skills of the builder.

We can therefore assume that the chap who put this one together was really very good indeed.

It is absolutely first-class in all respects - dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic - and it has the added bonus of having covered a mere 1,600 miles since completion.

As with so many of these splendid cars the journey started with the purchase of a donor MG Midget.

We know this (and a great deal more) because the builder put together a photographic and written book covering the car’s genesis and evolution.

It is exhaustive in the depth and granularity of its content and covers every aspect of the build from the initial idea right through to completion.

We’ve seen less comprehensive and detailed life stories tucked under Eammon Andrews’ left arm.

The car today sports a bored-out 1,330cc engine with a Weber 40 DCOE carburettor and Piper cams to ‘fast road’ spec.

To the best of our knowledge, and that of the vendor, the car works perfectly and is as much fun to drive as it looks.

The vendor tells us that the model’s racing pedigree is alive and well in this example, and that given some warm, dry country lanes to explore or a few spins around Brands Hatch, it’s never failed to impress with its balance, poise or performance.

It is in pretty much unmarked, ‘as new’ condition – inside, outside and underneath.
 

The car presents well from every angle and is a fine-looking example of both the model and the marque.

The bodywork, which is considerably more curvaceous than Jessica Rabbit, is free of any dinks, dents or other blemishes.

The dazzlingly vibrant Lotus Racing Green finish really pops and sings in the sunshine.

The shade of green is complemented to optimum effect by the crimson red interior, the polished alloy sills and side sections, and the yellow wheels, decals and detailing.

Given the car’s very low mileage (it’s effectively barely run-in), it should come as no surprise to learn that even entirely standard stone chips and scratches are far more noticeable for their absence than their presence.

The yellow-painted wheels have evidently yet to make the acquaintance of any kerbs or other roadside obstacles,

The matching Yokohama tyres are every bit as good as the rest of it and clearly have many more miles of useful service left in them.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all entirely beyond reproach.

Basically, the car is minty fresh and about as unmarked as any used car can get.
 

The interior of the car is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart in terms of condition and quality.

The red leather bucket seats have yet to earn so much as a crease, let alone any ingrained patina. They are edged with white piping and equipped with TRS harnesses.

Everything is in pretty much showroom order.

The door cards are as pristine as the fine red carpets, which are just as good as the dashboard and the wooden Moto-Lita rim and matching gear knob.

As far as we’re aware, all instruments, knobs, switches, dials and buttons do what they’re supposed to do in a timely and uncomplaining fashion.

The car comes with a red tonneau cover which is, of course, in excellent condition.
 

The engine bay is reassuringly clean, dry and tidy.

We’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene rating, never mind a mechanics report.

The undersides of the car tell anyone who takes a look that this car wouldn’t recognise rain, snow, sleet or salt if you showed it pictures of them.

Everything looks solid, sound, new and untroubled by either miles or time.
 

This car comes with all sorts of bills, invoices and receipts attesting to work carried out during the build.

It also comes with a ‘This Is Your Life’ volume of words and pictures covering every aspect of the build in forensic detail.

It comes with an MoT certificate that’s valid until 11th August 2025.

Like every other MoT certificate the car has had since 2016, there no advisories whatsoever.

At the time of writing, the vendor tells us that he’ll put the car through another MoT before the auction closes.

Also with the car are a few spares, some build manuals and a recent, clear HPI report.
 

We’ve seen a few of these over the years, but we don’t recall seeing a better one than this.

Of course, you could follow in the footsteps of the first owner and buy yourself an XI kit from Westfield.

That’ll set you back somewhere in the region of £29K.

Then you’ll have to buy a donor Midget or Sprite.

Then you’ll have to spend many hundreds of man-hours building it, no doubt skinning your knuckles and exploding into a barrage of expletives many times during the process.

Or you could buy this spectacularly well-built example and take full advantage of all the heavy lifting that’s been done by previous builders and curators.

Mmmmm…..decisions, decisions.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.