New Coupe version of Italia kit for MX5 mk 2

[Furyblade_Lee]

Smash, that mock up you did of the original version with the new hard top if definately the pick of the bunch, well done. I think I could do something very nice with one of this kits, very nice.

[smash]

I'm with you - I think that'll be the one once he's finished the GTB top for it. Cannot claim credit for the large mock up - found that on an american Miata forum.

Get a body from Retroforza (assuming they still supply) and the top from Simpson (assuming he intends to do it as a retrofit rather than complete kit). Now, who's going to make up a nice set of 275GTB style bumpers.....

Edited by smash on Monday 10th October 18:51

[steviegunn]

Love the Italia and the new GTB and GTC, I have considered building one many times, but I'm a child of the 70s & 80s, I'd love to see a wedgier design, I sent the mock-up below to Jim Simpson just before the Italia 2 came out, if I ever win the Lottery I will build one just for a laugh, a set of 308 to 288 GTO conversion panels would be the ideal starting point, retain the pop-ups (natch for the era) and the centre swage line, overall length doesn't change much but a few inches wider in the arches to take some nice wide wheels.

[Furyblade_Lee]

What I love about the Italia 1 is it doesn't actually scream Ferrari to me, albeit the rear end is definately GTO'esque. Obviously influenced, but lots of shades of other generic 60's GTs from various Italian coachbuilders. I would be happy to drive one, a Ferrari badge will go nowhere near it and it would never be a Ferrari rep in my eyes. I think that is the strong point for me. It's just a 60's inspired pretty car.

Although I admire the ingenuity of things like the Italia 2 , I would never drive a fake Ferrari, the only exception MAY be a very good Dino with a rorty V6 out back.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Just got the go-ahead from the wife to build one of these if the MK1 hardtop version becomes available, the one without the wheelarch lips. Nice! She will use it as a replacement for her Boxster S. Am on the lookout now for a tidy already-supercharged MK1 Eunos as a donor...

[fuoriserie]

smash said:

Just trawling around and discovered Simpson Designs have announced two new coupe versions of their Italia 2 bodykit for MX5 mk2.

All these are body kits for Mazda MX5 by Simpson Design - http://www.simpsondesign.net/index.html

There are no prices on the site at the moment for the Italia GTB or GTC designs but the Italia mk1 is available in UK from Retroforza for £2,195 (versus $8,500 from Simpson!!).

New Italia 2 GTC - no price listed




New Italia 2 GTB - no price listed (clearly owes a debt to 275gtb)



Italia 2 Convertible - comprehensive kit works out at £6,361.74 ($9,900)



Original Italia based on MX5 mk1 ( Available from Retroforza in UK for £2,195)



Original Italia with GTB Coupe top

Simpson are working on a coupe of the original Italia using their GTB roof



Which I think I prefer - not keen on the arch lips on the GTB and GTC but they do represent some interesting opportunites. Perhaps Retroforza in the UK will be able to offer the coupe...

Edited by smash on Monday 10th October 08:53

Very nice body conversion..... and I'm sure we will see more of these in the next few years.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I have had no response at all fron emails and telephone to Retroforza, does anybody know if they have ceased trading??

[rdodger]

There is a guy on MX5 Nutz building a V6 version at the moment so pretty sure they are still going.

Why not a mk2 version?

[offshorematt2]

smash said:

New Italia 2 GTB - no price listed (clearly owes a debt to 275gtb)

Confused - just looked at this on their site;



So have they photoshopped the ride height and removed the aero blades, side vents etc on Smash's link? Or added all that tat but increased ride height since. Picture on their site looks rubbish now compared to the one posted previously

[Sagacitas]

offshorematt2 said:

So have they photoshopped the ride height and removed the aero blades, side vents etc on Smash's link? Or added all that tat but increased ride height since. Picture on their site looks rubbish now compared to the one posted previously

The original pictures of the GTC had the same differences - the read 3/4 view had increased ride height, side vents, and aero blades, while the from 3/4 view did not.

Not sure which is the real final design - or if it simply options that can be selected.

Personally I prefer the GTC without all the extra stuff.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Not sure what you mean by MKII version? If you mean donor car? I prefer the MK1 Eunos, and have access to a couple of nice donor cars if I want them, one nearly 200bhp of turbo power. If you mean the MKII bodykit, with wheel arch lips and skirts, I think it looks awful. I only want the original version with the GTB roof.

[smash]

@offshorematt - my bad, I got those links from MX5 OC forum I think - turns out they were photoshopped by one ofthe guys on there so yes, the REAL car sits higher and has the shark gills. Apologies!

@Lee - have you managed to get in touch with Simpson? I posted on the Simpson Desgn facebook page asking about the GTB top for mk 1 Italia but no response yet.

Retroforza are no longer listed as agents for Simpson but listed a kit only recently (September) on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETROFORZA-ITALIA-SPORT-... didn't sell @ £1650.

ETA I don't actually know it was Retroforza that listed it - the ad made it look like the manufacturer and it certainly sounds like they can produce more kits.

@Steviegunn - I actually like that!

Edited by smash on Wednesday 19th October 21:30

[offshorematt2]

smash said:

@offshorematt - my bad, I got those links from MX5 OC forum I think - turns out they were photoshopped by one ofthe guys on there so yes, the REAL car sits higher and has the shark gills. Apologies!

Hey, no apologies required. Just a shame as I thought the orginal picture was stunning - the real thing is a little less so...

Mind you, lowering an MX5 is straightforward, not fitting the areoblades is easy, and I'm sure any body shop could fill in the vents.

Hmm.

<<Goes off to look at the price of MX5s...>>

[smash]

Now this is interesting - initially I thought it was just the normal 250GTO kit for a 240Z but there are 3 pics of the bodykit trial fitted to an MX5!

the listing even states it can be fitted and a blended roof section is offered - very interesting indeed!

MX5 Twofifty GTO style

[dxg]

The overhangs on that are pretty horrendus, in my opinion. That's what makes the Simpson Design kit so good - that everything is in proportion.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I looked into the Simpson kit, but there is a small problem and the UK guy was not willing to sell me a kit until they ( with the US version ) have sorted it out.

The full coupe version flexes and cracks the bodykit. The MX5 by nature is not as rigid as you may think, and for the coupe versions to last they need lots of bracing underfloor as per the Miata racecars or a full rollcage to stiffen up considerably. A shame, because I had the money in my pocket to buy a kit and the UK based in Essex would not sell to me. I am sure ( I hope ) they work something out as it is a lovely finished vehicle with massive potential.