Retroforza

Author
Discussion

hobson

Original Poster:

102 posts

255 months

Tuesday 15th November 2005
quotequote all

Just been wasting my life on ebay and came across this kit. It's based on an mx5 and looks absolutely stunning.

Now normally if someone said mx5 kit, I'd say leave it alone it's a classic in it's own right. It also summons up images off the saddo f355 replicas, but judge for yourself.

Defo going to Exeter now, even though I know it will be raining.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Retroforza-Italia-Our-superb-M

popey

5,314 posts

242 months

Tuesday 15th November 2005
quotequote all
Had a nose round that at Brands.

Looks really good from the front, but there was something about the back that just didn't sit right. Can't explain it, but it just didn't work very well.

Kelvin

Black5

579 posts

238 months

Tuesday 15th November 2005
quotequote all
Looks just like an mx5 with a different bonnet.

What are you paying over £3800 for?
H reg mx5 is worth iro £1500 - £2k. The bonnet can't be worth nearly £2k.

What else is different?

Munter

31,330 posts

256 months

Tuesday 15th November 2005
quotequote all
As previously discussed here in Jap Chat.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=71&t=216347

It's hardly just a new bonnet... For a start the wings are different and theres no pop up lights. Then with the rear being changed as well...

hobson

Original Poster:

102 posts

255 months

Tuesday 15th November 2005
quotequote all

There are always proportion issues with this approach to kits. The back end side on looks a bit too long, from the rear I think it looks great, but the front (especially that blue one with the grill) looks well smart.

In many ways it seems a lot to pay, but you end up with something looking like a new baby retro styled ferrari, with the mechanicals of mazda and well sorted handling and drivetrain. (Supercharger to finish it off)

smash

2,062 posts

243 months

Wednesday 16th November 2005
quotequote all
Supercharger? I think you mean Chevy V8! Amazing conversion.... www.v8miata.com/

hobson

Original Poster:

102 posts

255 months

Wednesday 16th November 2005
quotequote all

As the Yanks say.... AWESOME.

I don't know what he had under the bonnet, but a couple of years ago I was at Japfest and there was this guy in a red mx5 giving the EVO/Scubby boys a run for their money.

The only thing that spoils the mx5 is the hairdresser image. It shouldn't, but it does.

m1spw

5,999 posts

240 months

Wednesday 16th November 2005
quotequote all
hobson said:
but the front (especially that blue one with the grill) looks well smart.

Is it just me, or does that remind you of the Ferrari 612?

Looks like a nice car!

Black5

579 posts

238 months

Monday 21st November 2005
quotequote all
Saw it at Exeter.

No, sorry, still don't get it.

I'd retail the front end for around £1200. Reckon you'd get plenty of people wanting to make their MX5 look a bit different and others who have driven into a wall or something.

edited to add: This is just my opinion.

>> Edited by Black5 on Monday 21st November 12:19

kitfreak

39 posts

236 months

Saturday 26th November 2005
quotequote all
Hi Guys,
Thought Id stick my oar in as you are chatting about my product.
It was clear at the Exeter show that the car does have a lot of support and the only reason for bringing it from the States was that it definately fills a niche and I believe that has been borne out by the interest.
One frustration of mine has been that the car just doesnt come across in photos at all, Id love a tenner for everyone who came up to me at Exeter and said it looks so much better in the flesh.
Some people in various forums have said it looks awkward in certain areas, well I can agree with that sentiment looking at some of the photographs around. For the record, in profile, the car is about 6 inches longer at the front (the lights are legal height)and only 4 inches long at the back of which all of that is the camtail.
Very soon I'll be working on a new demonstrator and hopefully a coupe rear end.Been considering a V8 or Alfa Romeo V6 too.
The demo car is for sale too if anyones interested.

Black5

579 posts

238 months

Sunday 27th November 2005
quotequote all
Took these at Exeter.





I like it better from the front.

jgmadkit

551 posts

264 months

Sunday 27th November 2005
quotequote all
Lovely pics Mark

Must say from the front the car looks superb....but then it all goes wrong for me.

John

kitfreak

39 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd December 2005
quotequote all
Great pics buddy, can I use em at all????
Been giving loads of thought to an engine swap.
Guy came up to me at Exeter and was chatting about a Alfa v6 which sounds tempting and feels right, if it fits. Any other ideas for some decent grunt? The MX5 engine bay is big enough to accomodate both a Rover V8 and 302 Ford V8.

kitfreak

39 posts

236 months

Saturday 3rd December 2005
quotequote all
Think it might be crying out for one of these.Consider it in production!

IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/retroforza/it[/IMG]

Black5

579 posts

238 months

Monday 5th December 2005
quotequote all
I prefer this.

The coupe makes it look like a different car, which is my main gripe over the convertible.

Btw glad you like the pics.