My first '5 and first project!

[NotKenBlock]

Copied from the readers cars forum incase you missed it. I look forward to getting to you you all better! Sorry in advance for asking stupid questions!


So finally after about 4 years of browsing this site, dreaming of having a weekend toy, and keen on a project to get stuck into.. i bought my first ever 'second car' as a toy / project.

So last weekend i turned this (£950):


photo by notkenblock, on Flickr

into this:


IMG_1520 by notkenblock, on Flickr

It is of course the ever famous Mk1 MX-5, well in this case its a Eunos jap import, 1.6 V-special.

I'll let the pictures do the talking really:


IMG_1523 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1527 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1528 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1529 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1530 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1532 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1533 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1537 by notkenblock, on Flickr




So as you can probably tell, im really really pleased. Its runs like a dream and is such a planted drive. I wont gush too much as if you have one... you will know, and if you havent, you've probably heard.

Now there are several things that need addressing... from a distance it looks pretty tidy, but close up there are quite a few jobs that need doing. Not really a problem as thats what I bought it for.

Under the bonnet jobs include:

- Fix a small oil leak
- New brakes
- New bonnet stay (I might start with this one)
- Replace gearbox rubber boot things and change turret oil
- Full service (Filters, lubes and plugs)

The rust on this appears to be surface only (crosses fingers):


Front passenger arch:

IMG_1524 by notkenblock, on Flickr


IMG_1525 by notkenblock, on Flickr

Rear drivers arch:

IMG_1542 by notkenblock, on Flickr

Door step:

IMG_1540 by notkenblock, on Flickr
I must say this one worries me... what the hell is under that chrome panel!

Other bits to tidy up over time:

Drivers wing mirror is screwed in place.. will replace both sides.

IMG_1539 by notkenblock, on Flickr

Drivers seat bolster, seems common on all older MX's, although not quite sure what i can do to fix apart from replace the whole seat?:

IMG_1535 by notkenblock, on Flickr

Polish the nardi gear knob, i was going to just buy another, but £75 on ebay new!:

IMG_1536 by notkenblock, on Flickr

Looks like the front took a knock at some point and had a crappy repair:

IMG_1526 by notkenblock, on Flickr

All in all I am thrilled with the whole experience, a bit daunting at first looking at the list of jobs. I dont want to spend a fortune so will have a go at all of the body related stuff, and get a local MX specialist to do the oily bits at first until i gain some confidence.

So expect some updated and pictures of me having a crack at a few jobs... wish me luck!

Advice welcomed!

[anonymous-user]

My 92 Eunos had rust like yours at the ends of the chromed kickplates, but it turned out to just be small patches right at the ends, nothing underneath - the plates had little soft padding strips at the ends on the backs which I suppose hold the water against the paint at that point and cause rust. Other than a spot about the size of a 10p at each end of the plate there was nothing else.

I sanded it down a bit, painted over it and then put the kickplates back with a huge bead of silicone sealer right the way around the edges of the plate, and when I took them off again about 2 years later it looked exactly the same underneath as when I put them on.

[JFReturns]

Looks to be a cracking car, and good for a project as there are things that need fixing! IMO standard wheels would look nice, along with a TR Lane roll bar (please don't fit show bars!).

Has the slave cylinder been replaced? If not, I would look at getting it done as they do fail and can cause a breakdown. Easy and cheap to replace.