Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 (NA) | PH Private Area
Want a 3.0-litre V6-powered MX-5, but don't want to wait? This one's for sale on PH right now
You’ll have noticed a good few modified MX-5s on PH of late, from EV swaps to 8,000rpm Honda swaps, and we’ll make no apologies for it. There’s no joy quite like a properly sorted, very fast MX-5, and it’s great to see such engineering expertise on display in everyone’s favourite roadster. For a car that’s remained fundamentally so similar over the decades, there’s now a wealth of different MX-5 experiences available from the aftermarket.
Since going full-time with the V6 engine swap business a few years back, Rocketeer’s Bruce Southey has been a busy man. Easy to understand why: the Jag 3.0-litre offers up twice the power of standard without a weight gain - and with a much more exciting soundtrack - alongside decent availability. And that's before you get to everything else that’s available for MX-5s already to fully take advantage. Not to mention a bit of restomod fairy dust on top for those that need it.
It’s not often that Rocketeer MX-5s come up for sale, given that not many (comparatively speaking) will have been converted just yet and those invested enough to go through with the swap will most likely want to cherish their car for a long time. But we all know how situations can change, and the realisation from the owner of this one that it’s not being used enough means quite the chance for someone else.
This Mk1 MX-5 is a Rocketeer factory build, as opposed to a DIY effort where the blueprinted engine is sent out to a customer. In addition to the 275hp (up from the standard 240 or so), this one benefitted from a full chassis restoration and rust protection, a lovely retrim of the interior and a host of new OEM parts underneath. It’s no mere engine swap, however exciting that prospect is on its own.
Additionally, this particular build benefits from Enkei RPF1 wheels (just like the Performance Link car), coilovers, EBC discs, some extra chassis bracing and a brace of fabulous Cobra Monaco seats. Maybe some might want a more colourful cosmetic spec for their MX-5, but the list of modifications reads like a wish list.
All in more than £40,000 has been spent on the car you see here, which doesn’t include buying it in the first place. Making an MX-5 this good - and this fast - is not a cheap endeavour, and will be why £35k is being asked. But with just 5,000 miles completed since the conversion less than two years ago, it’s as close as you’ll get to a new Rocketeer build that’s immediately available. For the sun that can’t be far away.
Can get Chimaeras, Tuscans, Tamoras, Cerberas for less, on PH classifieds. What would you rather have?
Can get Chimaeras, Tuscans, Tamoras, Cerberas for less, on PH classifieds. What would you rather have?
Can get Chimaeras, Tuscans, Tamoras, Cerberas for less, on PH classifieds. What would you rather have?
That said having had a Vantage (non-S) and an R8, both of the vintages you can get for c £35k now, I can honestly say I prefer this head and shoulders over those - but perhaps that's just where i am in my car buying life.... (ie getting on a bit
) I also think £35k is a bit toppy for it, but not ridiculously so.But choice is great and I love mine - the quality of the build, the sweet spot of power to weight imho and i love that it looks like a 26 year old mx5 (if one in brilliant nic) to the majority.
The chassis and suspension setup is just right too - it's far from just an mx5 with a v6 chucked in it - can really hustle it down a back road
I'll be down at the Sunday Service in a couple of hours if anyone wants a poke around
Reminds me of a co-worker, who recently showed me the invoice for the engine gearbox he's bought for his project car (a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe); $35k on a 1,000bhp supercharged 6.0-litre engine and a new ten-speed auto 'box. Another colleague was almost crying because he couldn't understand why someone would spend that much on modifying his car.
Kudos to anyone willing to sink this much money into a project and create their perfect spec. That's what cars - and PH - should be all about.
I can see why somebody would prefer this to something more conspicuous like a lotus or a tvr, let alone an Aston or an r8- to 99% of onlookers it’s just another old mx5 pootling about in the sunshine, possibly coming back from the garden centre with a comically tall pot plant sticking out of the top (ask me how I know)
The one thing I will concede is rigidity is not a strong point, I don’t know how much improvement butterfly braces and the like make but the later cars are much stiffer
Can get Chimaeras, Tuscans, Tamoras, Cerberas for less, on PH classifieds. What would you rather have?
I said what else could you buy?
He went out and bought a Boxter.
I realise that we are talking about something in a different price range, but the same principle applies. More so as you have more to loose.
There are other, perhaps better cars you could get for the money. But then there are many many worse cars you could get for the money. And 35k is a drop in the ocean compared to what some people spend to have their cars customised over the years. It’s a different market having something built for you, than just going and buying an old ‘hero’ off autotrader.
I’m really pleased Rocketeer exist and have a business case that seems to work.
Reminds me of a co-worker, who recently showed me the invoice for the engine gearbox he's bought for his project car (a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe); $35k on a 1,000bhp supercharged 6.0-litre engine and a new ten-speed auto 'box. Another colleague was almost crying because he couldn't understand why someone would spend that much on modifying his car.
Kudos to anyone willing to sink this much money into a project and create their perfect spec. That's what cars - and PH - should be all about.
Can get Chimaeras, Tuscans, Tamoras, Cerberas for less, on PH classifieds. What would you rather have?
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