Keeping a Westy outside ?

Keeping a Westy outside ?

Author
Discussion

J4CKO

Original Poster:

42,824 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th September 2019
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Not the dog...

A lad I have known for years as we end up working at the same place and he is a proper petrolhead mentioned he may sell his Westfield, wide body with a Red Top Vauxhall in.

I did post a couple of years back about getting one as was getting a garage due to an extension at home, that didnt happen and we scaled back the plans and thougth would just get an MX5.

But my mate said he may sell his Westfield and knowing him, I know its a good one, but would have to keep it outside on the path, have got room and its got weather gear but how do they cope with being left outside. is there a suitable cover that keeps the worst of the weather out ? can potentially borrow some space over the worst of the winter and keep it inside.

Also, dont live in a high risk area but are kit cars at big risk of theft, easy enough to disable a car so it wont drive but a Hiab slung over from the road would have it away fairly easily, was thinking could, if leaving it, mounting an anchor of some sort and chaining it up, i chain my bicycle up, even in the garage so am perhaps a bit over cautious but better than getting it lifted.


Bertrum

472 posts

230 months

Thursday 19th September 2019
quotequote all
You can, but remove all carpet, harnesses etc (anything that can go moldy).

Get a high quality breathable car cover, the breathable bit is important other wise it will just sweat. The temperature variations are the killer rather than the actual cold.

Empty the cooling system.

Get the chassis painted/coated to prevent rust.

If you are worried about being lifted, take the wheels off and stick it on jack stands. I wouldn't personally bother chaining it up but then I live somewhere very safe.

Don't make it too de-constructed as if you do that it will be an expensive dive way ornament.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

42,824 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th September 2019
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
You can, but remove all carpet, harnesses etc (anything that can go moldy).

Get a high quality breathable car cover, the breathable bit is important other wise it will just sweat. The temperature variations are the killer rather than the actual cold.

Empty the cooling system.

Get the chassis painted/coated to prevent rust.

If you are worried about being lifted, take the wheels off and stick it on jack stands. I wouldn't personally bother chaining it up but then I live somewhere very safe.

Don't make it too de-constructed as if you do that it will be an expensive dive way ornament.
Yeah, hear you on making it too hard to use.

Jack stands not an option as that bit of the drive is pebbles.

Think its already well protected

Emptying the cooling system would be a faff, wouldnt be stood that long, if it was I would borrow some space.

beerexpressman

240 posts

144 months

Wednesday 25th September 2019
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My insurance (Adrian Flux) insisted on my Westfeld being garaged between 10.00 pm and 6.00 am if at home...

LLantrisant

1,002 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th September 2019
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yes, outside the house, inside a garage.

those cars arent constructed for outside storage...fact!!

switchgear, contacts, relais underneath the open dash will quickly suffer from the humidity.

all bolts, even zinc coated ones, will quickly rust..as their quility is not the same as from mass produced cars.
plus all the other areas like interior parts gettign mouldy, chassis , suspension parts rusting

forget about this idea unless you want to "destroy" the car´s value within a quick time

J4CKO

Original Poster:

42,824 posts

207 months

Saturday 28th September 2019
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Hmm, looks like might be an MX5 then !

Nigel_O

3,058 posts

226 months

Friday 4th October 2019
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Do you have enough room on the drive for a Carcoon or similar?

I wouldn’t leave mine outside...

Wacky Racer

38,984 posts

254 months

Friday 4th October 2019
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Of course you can leave a Westfield outside, providing it's got good close fitting weather equipment. The bodywork is hardly likely to go rusty, but I would grease the front suspension parts if left outside for any length of time not being used over winter.

I've owned two Westfields, and a Tiger supersix, all garaged to be fair.

An MX5 would be a better bet though in this regard.