1996 Westfield SEiGHT V8

The vendor has owned this SEiGHT since 2021. “I originally bought this car for my partner, as she wanted to go club level hill climbing. It had always had owners that had cared for it and seemed the ideal sort of car for that as it’s got massive torque, a great power-to-weight ratio and is pretty controllable. 

The hill climbing never transpired, with the SEiGHT simply coming out now and again for country lane blasts. “We have over a number of vehicles between us. It forms part of our collection but having just taken delivery of a Sebring spec MGC, it doesn’t get out very often at all now. 

“I have mixed feelings about selling her, but I would stress it is not the fault of the car; only us not having a reasonable prospect of using her much in the future.

“It’s a fantastically well-constructed example. The engine is a Rover 3.5ltr V8 built by Noble Engineering of Chesterfield, which is good for 200-210bhp”. 

The car’s spec list includes:

• 4-barrel Holley 390 carb on an Edelbrock manifold
• Ported Stage 2 heads
• Half race Crane cam
• Wrapped tubular exhaust headers
• Electronic ignition with MSD blaster
• John Eales baffled sump
• Fuel pressure regulator
• Lightweight starter motor
• Rover SD1 (LT77) gearbox with higher “Vitesse” 5th gear
• Limited Slip Differential
• Custom-made ‘docking’ big capacity radiator with auto fan switch; Samco hoses
• 19-row Mocal oil cooler
• Discs all round; front discs grooved and vented; stainless steel braided brake hoses; brake bias adjustment
• Adjustable shock absorbers
• FIA roll bar
• Custom-made 50-litre foam-filled aluminium fuel tank
• Rally fuel gauge system

“The SEiGHT is as good as the photos suggest – pretty amazing for a vehicle of that type. As I said, it’s very well built and has been engineered to a high standard”. 

The Cat motorsport wide front end and extra wide rear arches lend the SEiGHT an aggressive stance; it’s crazy low set too, but the familial resemblance to the Lotus 7 that inspired it is clear. That said, the raised bonnet line hints at the extra large slice of British American beef housed within.

In terms of paintwork it’s a gloriously devilish colour and that low front-end is pleasantly, relatively free of stone-chips. The car is fitted with side-exit exhaust pipes for your aural pleasure, with Team Dynamics Motorsport black alloy wheels and matching Toyo Proxies T1 R tyres (each with oodles of tread remaining) completing the picture. 

SVC headlights with up-rated bulbs are fitted, while the V8 badge on the car’s rump will leave those following in no doubt about its considerable abilities. 

It’s a pretty basic cabin with just the necessities included: a heater/fan demister, an Omex shift light, gauges (oil pressure, water temp, oil temp, battery volts and fuel). Westfield high back sports seats in black vinyl with red piping.

Oh, and full wet weather gear.

It’s definitely a road-racer ambience. 

The seats remain in good condition. Red Willans harnesses contrast nicely with them and match both the red piping and exterior hue. 

“It runs extremely well, and everything works nicely,” says the owner. “Performance is very good – the power-to-weight ratio ensures that – but my favourite aspect is the noise she makes, particularly the V8 drum beat at mid-revs which is truly intoxicating A previous owner got fed up of filling it up every half an hour, so fitted a larger honeycomb fuel tank for improved range. 

Lifting the bonnet panel off reveals the Rover V8 in all its glory and involuntarily sends a shiver down your spine; firing it up, obliterates said shiver in an instant. 

And as for driving it, well…

The SEiGHT comes with a comprehensive history file documenting both the build and the car’s subsequent maintenance. There are several published articles included from the car’s past, including an appearance in a ‘Buying Second-hand’ feature in KSC International magazine, as well as a document written by a previous owner (on 12th August 2010) describing both the car’s specification and their adventures with it. 

There is a profusion of specialist invoices (including from Lotus specialist Hangar 111) with, at a quick glance, circa £11k spent on parts and maintenance since the turn of the century. 

Also included is a recent online vehicle check that states no issues with outstanding finance, theft, write-offs, etc.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this car has been built to a first class standard and then exceedingly well maintained. 

Ask yourself a question: how big are your cohunes?

The reality is that they will need to be plenty big to handle this little firecracker.

Constructed beatifully and maintained impeccably, this Westfield SEiGHT offers a driving experience to be savoured. The vendor's good lady never did take it hill climbing, but its next most certainly could.

Or they could enjoy it on the road as a bit of a high-days-and-holidays wild child; or take it trackside; or simply pop down to their garage, start it up the V8 and savour the noise. 

And what price will access to those choices command, I hear you ask… we think just £12,000 to £16,000.  

Happy bidding. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor near Andover, Hampshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.