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Post by martinslyon on Apr 10, 2010 23:11:19 GMT 1
The first production model.
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 10, 2010 23:13:31 GMT 1
The first public viewing.
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 10, 2010 23:33:14 GMT 1
For the first time since the Dastle a quality GP Midget available as a kit off the shelf from Westfield.
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 10, 2010 23:34:16 GMT 1
A proper GP Midget.............!! Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/2813535/thumbnailer/cgFLN2vED5DyxcmFbLvc.jpg)
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Post by rodpashley on Apr 11, 2010 0:16:03 GMT 1
wasn't this the car that hung from the ceiling at the NEC before it was completed?
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 16, 2010 23:05:58 GMT 1
No Rod not quite, it was displayed on the Racecar Magazine Car stand at the Autosport show, it went on to race almost a full season before blowing it's engine at the World Championships and was then sold to someone who used it as a wall decoration in an American 50's theme bar!! Regards Martin Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/2813535/thumbnailer/x48xipUoEd5CLFOozcWl.jpg)
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Post by rodpashley on Apr 17, 2010 14:34:36 GMT 1
I saw one hanging from the ceiling at a motor trade show cant remember what year, but before they were generally available, I can remember walking underneath it to have a look, at the NEC, do you know which that was?
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 19, 2010 18:18:43 GMT 1
Hi Rod, It must have been this one, PARTCO were very interested in putting money up to promote a one make series that Richard Neil had discussed with me. The big problem was that Westfield failed to make any committment to proper production plans and without 20 chassis available they were not going to proceed. We had a few serious drivers interested including Costas Los (Le Mans and IMSA) and Patrick Watts (BTCC). As it was we had to pay back 5 deposits because of the delays in production. Regards Martin Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/2813535/thumbnailer/ghcjl8elx9vJEMzGVRyu.jpg)
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Post by rodpashley on Apr 19, 2010 21:58:05 GMT 1
Thats the one Martin, thanks. Now you have said that, I remember the partco livery now, and I read something about the "one make" talk. Do you know what happened to that rolling chassis?
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Post by ovaltrack on Apr 21, 2010 20:43:09 GMT 1
All a long time ago now! I was and still am a keen fan of the mix of front and rear engine cars in GP Midgets - it's unique isn't it? Although of course the general appeal of rear engine cars and the current formula in the UK has been aired at length on here. It was an exciting time to have a commercially available front engine chassis but what a shame it did not take off. Yes we tried to get a circuit version going as well (and the costings would have been very, very favourable against the similar Formula Classic car which I think was the brainchild of Tom Wheatcroft.
I'd still love to run a championship - it's the one ambition I've not realised yet!
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Post by rodpashley on Apr 21, 2010 23:44:37 GMT 1
I seem to remember that the Formula Classic consumed vast amounts of the racers cash, and only lasted one season.....Westies are still here..
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Post by martinslyon on Jun 22, 2010 21:27:55 GMT 1
A bare chassis photo of the Tom Wheatcroft car - it's a whole different ball game and cost structure................. Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/2813535/thumbnailer/lnTOJhoq9bTndlVYVSDc.jpg)
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Post by martinslyon on Jun 22, 2010 21:32:22 GMT 1
I will try to find my photos of the fully clothed car and post them. When the Donington series went into decline following issues with their engines and gearboxes I contacted them to see if we could supplement their dwindling grids with the Westfield twin cam Classic, but sadly they were not interested because of what they saw as the downmarket association with the lawnmowers (?) Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/2813535/thumbnailer/X2MYg5v6gq8fbtOntBqJ.jpg)
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