Top class, Morris. I still remember the ride in that kit car you built many years ago now (engine was from a Ford Escort, I think!), when we drove all the way to Peterborough. Riding barely inches above the road surface, sunglasses serving as the ‘windscreen’ - those were the days!

@morrisroseman8073

10 ай бұрын

Yes, those were indeed the days. Sorry Jon, I only just twigged who you are...old age creeping up...😬

Very informative video, looks likes you've done a great job. Well done. Hope your car gives you plenty of fun driving it.👍

@7Spot556

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! 👍

Impressive work: Knowing all the bits of the build is a great thing...... Hope you enjoy the car for many years.

@morrisroseman8073

11 ай бұрын

Thank you. It's taken almost 5 years so far but that's helped to spread the cost. It's been a great project though and I'm really looking forward to driving it.

@richardwallace133

10 ай бұрын

I think building is as much or more fun as driving or riding. Every winter I had a bike in the garage

Very good video and the car looks like a job well done. 😊

@morrisroseman8073

11 ай бұрын

Thank you, it's been a great experience building the XI. Btw credits for the video go to 7 Spot. I just provided the photos and the narration 😊

@morrisroseman8073

6 ай бұрын

Thank you, much appreciated.

Great story. Maybe you could do an update once the IVA is done and the car is on the road. Would love to see a photo of it dressed up in all its test regalia 🥴

@morrisroseman8073

10 ай бұрын

Thank you, I'll certainly post an update once it's on the road.

Love the replacement dashboard & transmission tunnel - big improvements over the original! And that beautiful swooping streamlined shape too - it looks so much more aerodynamic than a Seven - does it feel that way in motion? Apparently, the Seven just runs into a brick wall at higher speeds…

I have one of those garages & wish I had bought a plastic one. As you say the condensation is terrible, even after fitting ventilation & covering the inside of the roof with bubble wrap, sealing the concrete floor, I still had lots of problems with the MG getting rustier in the garage than it would have done under a decent car cover. It was at least dry to work in & wide enough to put the trailer alongside the MG. If anyone is thinking of storing a car longterm I would suggest you buy a wooden or plastic garage or use a carcoon inside. I moved the MG out & borrowed my mum's garage to finish the restoration.

@morrisroseman8073

2 ай бұрын

Yes I agree totally. My XI is now in a concrete garage as the metal flat pack one being only temporary.

This is a terrific video. I love seeing the nuts and bolts of a build and you deliver them here. You've kept your built as a nice homage to the original Lotus 11, not too many modern modifications, just the ones that give you a bit more reliability. Are the wire wheels originally MG products also?

‘Xl’ is eleven in Roman numerals, so it’s a Westfield Eleven, not X One. Sorry for sounding critical but I have to find some use for that Latin O Level beyond knowing copyright dates on movies! I remember the name of David Vizard from my Mini days. As you say, his book was the A-Series tuning bible.

@tonycamplin8607

5 ай бұрын

I think that you'll find that Westfield call it Xi so as to avoid any confusion with a Lotus X1.

It looks good for a copy, should think that it's heavier than the original though. This would be due to your fancy trim, carpets for instance and separate seats, plus of course that fibreglass body, the originals just had some foam stuck onto the bulkhead for a backrest. Back in 1959 I, bought one and used it as my everyday car, I sold it in 1963 for £150•00 ( ex competition cars were dirt cheap back then) and replaced it with a Frogeye Sprite that cost £275•00, a much more luxurious car! My car was Le Mans type with the de dion rear suspension, it was powered by a side valve 1172 cc Ford 100e engine. That rocker box would look much better painted as per original.

@7Spot556

5 ай бұрын

It is a tribute car. Very probably heavier but, no doubt, very fun to drive.

@tonycamplin8607

5 ай бұрын

@@7Spot556 I agree.

@morrisroseman8073

5 ай бұрын

@@tonycamplin8607 The original standard Le Mans Eleven weighed 387 kg (without fuel). Mine will weigh about 530 kg so yes, somewhat heavier.

@tonycamplin8607

5 ай бұрын

@@morrisroseman8073 Sure that it'll be a great cat though and quite rapid. Thanks for replying

Out of curiousity, what is the standard ground clearance for a Westfield XI?

Apologies if you have already seen my comment but I could not see it listed. I have a much earlier Eleven and suffer as you described from harsh suspension - could you provide a few more details of the components you used please. Great video, super build. Jim

@7Spot556

3 ай бұрын

Hi Jim, Glad you liked the video but this is not my build. I wish it was. ... Fab car! We love helping builders share their stories. Some “Go Live” with us, some Stream a Recorded video and others send us voice recordings (with media to edit). It's all good! Please send me an email (see Channel page) and I will forward it to Morris (the builder). Cheers! 7Spot Jim

@morrisroseman8073

2 ай бұрын

Hi Jim. Firstly, thank you for the compliments. It's almost time for an update video as I'm pretty close to applying for its IVA. Yes, I can pass all the details onto you with photos if that'll help? As suggested by Jim, please send him an email and he should then be able help us to connect. Cheers Morris.

how does it handle compared to the original and how is the constrution ,i think about the strength ?im thinking about buying one, of course because im so in love with the design but also as an investment.

@7Spot556

7 ай бұрын

It’s a completely different car to the original and imho a wonderful homage but (with the added weight of fibreglass bodywork) I would expect the car to have different handling characteristics.

@morrisroseman8073

6 ай бұрын

I sadly don't know yet how it handles, but by summer time I hope to 😂. The car weighs about 530 kg so it can't be much more compared to an aluminium bodied XI.