My 1990 MX5

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Discussion

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Hi! I'm Joe.
I'm new to the forum and thought I'd start out by posting some pictures of my new car/project.

It's a UK 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 on a set of rock hard budget coilovers.
I picked it up for under £1000 and as such it does require a bit of work! I've ordered a new clutch, and have started attending to the paint work. The roof does let a bit of water in, but I can live with that for the time being...
Anyway, here's some photo's!


Just after picking it up by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr


Today, I made a start trying to correct some of the paintwork. As you can see in my photo's, the drivers side sill is covered in overspray. I used a combination of hammerite smooth and satin, and then lacquered over it to give this result:


Painted sill by j0eyD, on Flickr

Much better!
I'll keep this thread updated as I go as I know the previous owner was keen to see where it goes. So far, I've absolutely fallen in love with it! By far the best car I've owned so far; really looking forward to getting properly stuck into renovating it!

Altrezia

8,517 posts

212 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Like it =) My first MX5 was white, and I really think it suits them.

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Thanks! Yeah, I set out to get a white one - it does really suit them. Either that or red looks good in my opinion

danposs86

275 posts

155 months

Monday 8th August 2011
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Looks good, also love DIY projects.

Riknos

4,700 posts

205 months

Tuesday 9th August 2011
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JoeyD said:
Thanks! Yeah, I set out to get a white one - it does really suit them. Either that or red looks good in my opinion
Yup, white mk1 owner here too wavey

I love Jap cars in white, definitely suits most of them the best. Good luck with the project. Where is your roof leaking from exactly? As if it's the window seals it should be a pretty easy fix (and one you want to do before autumn / winter arrives..)

Dave_ITR

834 posts

198 months

Tuesday 9th August 2011
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I called about this one but you had already beaten me to it.

Nice little project.

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Thursday 11th August 2011
quotequote all
Thanks! I thought someone else had beaten me to it, but they didn't show up to view it - so I got lucky biggrin

Riknos said:
Yup, white mk1 owner here too wavey

I love Jap cars in white, definitely suits most of them the best. Good luck with the project. Where is your roof leaking from exactly? As if it's the window seals it should be a pretty easy fix (and one you want to do before autumn / winter arrives..)
It's around the corners of the roof - above the windows. There are also a couple of tears in it, probably just get it replaced as the rear screen looks like it's seen better days too!

I had my first spin tonight! spin Haha, need an LSD and lots of practice in an open space!

RatLad

266 posts

214 months

Friday 12th August 2011
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Hi Joe,

It's Andy here - really glad you're enjoying it!

Seeing those pictures makes me miss it already and I'm pleased to see you are doing a FAR better job with a spray can!

BTW, I've still got the helper springs for the rear shocks - PM me your address if you would like me to send those.

Look forward to updates

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Sunday 14th August 2011
quotequote all
Ohh, yes please Andy!
PM'd.

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Monday 15th August 2011
quotequote all
Small update:

Got a new clutch fitted today; massive improvement!
Also painted the wheels this weekend which resulted in my first c*ck up for this project... I intended to paint them bronze, but as I was in a bit of a rush in the shop I picked up brown instead without realising FFS. So now I'm rolling with wooden wheels rolleyes


bks by j0eyD, on Flickr


DSC_0858 copy by j0eyD, on Flickr

Oh well, I should be buying a set of MiM's wheels this week as a temporary fix for the horrible stance - no point in buying really nice wheels just before winter tbh...
I've ordered a JDM rear numberplate holder, an offset front numberplate holder and a pair of square import plates - so they'll be going on this week, too. Also this weekend, whilst sat waiting in a carpark, I was messing with the steering wheel and pulled the centre cover off to reveal it's got a momo horn already fitted which is pretty cool!


DSC_0853 copy by j0eyD, on Flickr

Only thing that's bugging me at the moment is I can't get it any lower - the rear adjusters have plenty of thread left to go down, but the spring isn't even in its seats (no helper springs in either) - so I presume it's just on the bump stops? Would chopping these rectify this? Or am I going to have to modify the top mounts and just raise the adjusters?

More random photo's:


DSC_0865 copy by j0eyD, on Flickr


DSC_0866 copy by j0eyD, on Flickr


DSC_0851 copy by j0eyD, on Flickr

ApexJimi

25,012 posts

244 months

Monday 15th August 2011
quotequote all
Nice car BTW... wink

Rocketman105

387 posts

208 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
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Like it.

For some reason I love the look of those wheels without the centre caps.

Enjoy!

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
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Thanks for the kind words! smile

JoeyD

Original Poster:

80 posts

153 months

Tuesday 30th August 2011
quotequote all
Wee bit of an update:

I ordered a JDM plate recess a few weeks ago, and that came this week, along with a new set of plates and front plate holder. So I think I'm Kind of legal now... lol

Before:


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr

After:


DSC_0638 by j0eyD, on Flickr

Rear before:


MX5 by j0eyD, on Flickr

And after:


DSC_0635 by j0eyD, on Flickr

Going to do a rear bumper chop soon to get rid of that gash fog light - just wire it up into the reverse light. Then I neeeeeeed some wheels!!

NotKenBlock

6,037 posts

185 months

Tuesday 30th August 2011
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Might you be keeping your old wheels or looking to pass them on at a reasonable price wink

??

PGD5

1,112 posts

184 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
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Looking good, obviously thats the best colour too whistlethumbup

bazza1000

294 posts

153 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
Looks great in white (I've got a thing for white cars lol).

Bit of time and effort invested into it and will come up well I'm sure, all the best.

Xenocide

4,286 posts

209 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
I have a set of those wheels spare if you are looking for a set.

NotKenBlock

6,037 posts

185 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
Xenocide said:
I have a set of those wheels spare if you are looking for a set.
Great i'll PM you

ApexJimi

25,012 posts

244 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
ApexJimi said:
Nice car BTW... wink
Cannae believe no-one got this!