Throw back, little winter project: Mk1 Mazda MX-5.

[edo]

Hi

Yes it is a 1.8iS. I had a 1995 one of these many years ago, plus a Miata (1992).

Very slight hesitation at mid revs, so have ordered some HT leads as they look like the originals.

[pstruck]

Nice. Looks like a good solid project car.

I would like to get one of these back in the garage one day, but locating a rust free (solid original or properly repaired) one these days is a bit of a challenge. Had two previously, a '91 Eunos 1.6 V-Special and a '96 1.8 Merlot.

[edo]

pstruck said:

Nice. Looks like a good solid project car.

I would like to get one of these back in the garage one day, but locating a rust free (solid original or properly repaired) one these days is a bit of a challenge. Had two previously, a '91 Eunos 1.6 V-Special and a '96 1.8 Merlot.

Yup, getting harder (as shown by some of the prices of good ones!)

This is a great balance between rust free (just the very beginnings of rust on the wheel arch end of the sills), and the mechanicals, history and mileage are all spot on. The paint is dreadful, most panels have marks, but I will get that perfect.

[JeremyH5]

My wife's was the same colour. I remember the paint being very soft. Use cutting compound with care!

[edo]

Just been through and sorted all the service history and paperwork. Not bad at all!

667 Thursday, March 05, 1998
6,492 Tuesday, March 02, 1999
9,994 Tuesday, February 22, 2000
12,304 Wednesday, January 24, 2001
14,040 Wednesday, January 23, 2002
16,406 Friday, January 24, 2003
18,014 Thursday, January 22, 2004
19,789 Wednesday, January 19, 2005
21,267 Friday, January 27, 2006
22,057 Tuesday, January 16, 2007
23,152 Tuesday, June 09, 2009
27,505 Tuesday, June 01, 2010
30,989 Tuesday, June 07, 2011
34,546 Thursday, July 19, 2012
37,360 Thursday, August 01, 2013
39,849 Thursday, September 04, 2014
41,905 Monday, September 07, 2015
43,998 Tuesday, September 06, 2016

[Hammerhead]

A nice little project, Ed!

Out of interest, what process/products did you use on the seats to get them looking like they do now?

[edo]

Hammerhead said:

A nice little project, Ed!

Out of interest, what process/products did you use on the seats to get them looking like they do now?

A trimmer!

I turned up, he took my seats out put newly trimmed seats in and I drove off (after paying him!)

[Hammerhead]

edo said:

A trimmer!

I turned up, he took my seats out put newly trimmed seats in and I drove off (after paying him!)

Haha! That certainly saved some time & sweat

[edo]

JeremyH5 said:

My wife's was the same colour. I remember the paint being very soft. Use cutting compound with care!

Its beyond cutting - both wings have been painted by a blind man, and I have some light scuffs on bumpers and a door so I'm just going to paint the whole car.

[edo]

Fair to say 19 year old HT leads were not helping. A right bd to get off. Now noticeably smoother and lost the little bit of mid rev hesitation.

[edo]

New Bosh sparks in today. Seriously question the service 2k ago having done them despite charging the previous owner...

[edo]

Interior all done. Carpets wet vac'd, re-trimmed leather seats, gear gaiter. New stereo and speakers. New mats.



New soft top going on Monday.

[edo]

5tuartw said:

Renovo plastic polish is worth a try.

Tried - past it sadly.

[edo]

New Mohair hood with heated glass screen.

[DocJock]

Paul S4 said:

Nice car...but that steering wheel....!

I have seen some MX5s with a really nice Nardi ? wheel.

V-spec and S-spec

[edo]

DocJock said:

Paul S4 said:

Nice car...but that steering wheel....!

I have seen some MX5s with a really nice Nardi ? wheel.

V-spec and S-spec

Not changing the wheel, it has an airbag in it!

[Barchettaman]

Without going full-on detailing geek, would it be worth having a go at wetsanding the poorly-painted panels first and then DA polishing them?
You might have to check the paint depth first.

[edo]

Thanks. That's a no. Scratches on door and other panels through paint, NRF wing painted by a blind man, and a few other marks not recoverable, so its def a repaint (mate is a pro detailer who can recover the most amazing stuff and has been round the car).

[JeremyH5]

New hood and interior look very good. You’ve got my wife hankering after getting her old car back now!

[edo]

JeremyH5 said:

New hood and interior look very good. You’ve got my wife hankering after getting her old car back now!

Can do you a good deal! Oil change and stainless exhaust completed today.

Feels like we found a few horses and it sounds fruity without being naff!