I am interested in buying one after going to the Newark kit car show. The chassis looks very well made and the rest of the car parts seem very well finished off. I dont really want to build the car myself so I am looking for a second hand one.
Any opinions would be interesting.

Stuart

Stuart,

Never driven one myself. I'm currently seeking a Westfield (more expensive, better engineered (IMHO)) but for more Robin Hood info you can take a look here http://www.rhocar.org.uk/home.asp.

Some of the chaps on there might even be able to help you out with a drive and tyre kicking sesh :D

Hanslow

Thanks for the reply. I have already checked out that sight. I also like the Westfield but the prices are a lot more expensive. The reason I thought the Robin Hood was a good alternative was the chassis was made from tubular stainless steel and also all the body panels were made from the S/S. So it should last my lifetime atleast. I am looking to spend around £5000 which seems a reasonable secondhand price for one of these.
Are you looking to build your own car or also trying to pick-up a good secondhand example?

Stuart

You might be able to pick up an older X-Flow or Pinto westfield for 5k if you would prefer one of them.

I'm looking to buy a pre-built Westy as I haven't got the room to build one myself and I don't think I would have the motivation to build it to completion :(

Whatever you get, they're a hell of a difference to a normal car and the great thing is that 30mph feels like 50mph :D

Stu, you have some mail about something that might just fit the bill ;)


[Edited by Hanslow - 23/06/2003 16:04:53]

Stuart,

I'll offer one word of caution: It's unsubstantiated, even heresy, however. I've been looking down the lotus seven inspired car route, and have been warned by two or three peeps that the robin hood is to be avoided because it weighs as much as the donor car. Make up your own mind!

Regards,
Mark.

They have a bit of a poor reputation among kit car people, almost like the lada of kit cars, the chassis is made of exhaust grade tubing? So im told

They must have spent weeks polishing that gold RH

Do what was said above, look for a second hand westy :)

Just my opinion and all

Im selling my Westfield Cosworth Turbo at the moment add is in the for sale forum,drop me a mail if you wont a chat :)
Chris.

I can't believe you haven't typed in your name and done a search ;)

It brings up an interesting result :D:D:D

http://www.stuart-taylor.co.uk/

I've helped build a 2B. It was OK, and It'll do Watch the instruction video to find out why I use these words...

I thougts are that the 2B is a hard car to build to a good standard - as most of the supplied panels etc. seem to be "a bus ride out"

Stainless isn't really (IMHO) a good material for a car chassis - it can suffer sudden fatigue failure from just being flexed a bit.

They are a bit lighter than the sierra though!

I've heard, from a couple of people who have had big involvement in the kit car world the Robin Hoods are crap, the owner knows they're crap and doesn't deny it!:eek:

I'd give it a wide berth:)

Thanks for all the replys. Yes I had seen the Stuart Taylor Motorsport site and I was very keen to get my namesake vehicle, but the prices are a little more than I wanted to spend.
I went to the Newark show and saw the tubular s/s chassis which helped to sell it to me. When I looked at the others made from box section mild steel they looked over complicated with lots of skinny bars going everywhere.
I have seen advertised a partially completed one with a Ford 2.8 installed. Its supposed to be a rolling chassis so all I have to do is fit all the trimming bits which are included and for only £2000.
I am going to have a look today and will bear in mind all the comments about fitting it up. He says he's lost interest but it could be due to the reasons mentioned above.
I will post how I got on.

Stuart

Bear in mind that if it is only at the rolling chassis stage you will need to get it through the SVA to make it road legal.

If the groundwork on the rolling chassis stage is naff then you might have to look at some re-engineering :( Just something to bear in mind :)

Also, if you are prepared to take a car on that needs SVA, then this is still available Westy.

Not that I'm advocating Westies are better than the Hood ;)


[Edited by Hanslow - 6/24/2003 1:00:55 PM]

I've just phoned Robin Hood to see if the 2.8 is an ok fitment and they don't recommend it as they havn't done any development work with this engine in. I might still go and have a look to get an idea of what the quality of workmanship could be like for an average member of public building one of these.
And also he said he's got bills totalling nearly £5000 for bits.
I suppose if he has done a good job then I could take the engine out and put a pinto in instead.

Stuart

Robin Hoods really are pants, just buy an old Westfield for £5 or £6k if you're on a budget

Had a look and it wasnt too bad but still required lots of work. It also needed quite a few parts aswell which may have taken it quite close to the budget.
I will have to keep looking.

Stuart

Thanks for all the advice

I have now decided to go down the Westi route after all your advice. The difficulty now is finding one to fit my budget.
Steve I've sent an email to the one you sent me asking a few questions and if its still for sale I may go and have a look.

Stuart

Hope you get what you want chap :)

I'm still looking for the right car, but then I'm very fussy :D

If you need help with looking at the car, join up with the Westy BBS and one of the guys on there will probably be happy to accompany you and offer advice.

[Edited by Hanslow - 6/25/2003 1:35:11 PM]

Hanslow

Have you checked out www.findit.co.uk there are quite a few Westies for sale on there.

Stuart

Yep, everyday ;)

Can't find a decent Vaux or Zetec one for what I want to pay......

I'll get one eventually :D

Stuart,

I know someone that has a very unfinished robin hood.
Drop me a mail if you want some more info

Paul

Mate why not go for a crossflow westie for now, and drop a vx engine in over the winter?

Definitely going for a westi now. I think my budget will have to rise a bit to get a good one. I hopefully will start looking this weekend.

Stuart