2002 Westfield 1600cc Clubman

The clubman concept - that of a high performance, low cost sports car - began with the Lotus Seven of 1957, which made only the most minimal concessions to creature comforts - cycle guards, a bolt-on windscreen and the lack of rain protection ensured that the Seven's weight was kept to an absolute minimum. By selling his new Lotus in kit form, Colin Chapman managed to offer customers unrivalled performance for an affordable price, the combination thus inspiring generations of clubman builders around the world. One of the best-known clubman brands is Westfield, a company established by Chris Smith in England in the early 1980s. Smith built himself a high quality replica of the Lotus Mark XI sports-racing car and was soon inundated with requests for copies, eventually turning his hobby into a business with the launch of Westfield Sportscars - named after his garage at Westfield House, Armitage - in 1982. Westfield began turning out Seven-inspired Clubman models and has now had more than 30 years’ experience in building high-quality kits and turn-key cars. Despite the proliferation of models, including various motorcycle-engined variants, it is Westfield's SE that remains the closest in conception and appearance to the original Lotus Seven, utilising the same fibreglass body panels and a variety of drivetrain options. Perfect for track days or exhilarating weekend runs on country back roads, the Westfield Clubman SE is an intoxicating mix of speed and handling. Testimony to the quality of the Westfield is the number sold - the company makes over 400 cars a year and there are now in excess of 12,000 worldwide.