mx5 kits/rebodies

[jonaqua]

Hi, I'm new here. I just found this forum and I just wanted to say it's fantastic.

I'm a big mx5 fan. I would love to see more MX5 kits. They're very reliable, great handling cars, with plenty of go-fast parts. The design didnt change much from 90 to 05 many mx5 owners are notorious for babying their cars like ferraris, so there's a vast number of cheap donor cars available.

So I'd like to spread some of my MX5 knowledge with you.
MX5/Miata Coupes
Most of these were concept cars except for the 2002-05 coupes offerred only in Japan. They contracted a 3rd party company to perform the coupe conversions on a limited number of MX5's. There were no changes to the chassis, etc.

MX5 Concept Cars

Kit cars/rebodies
Here's the kits I'm aware of (keep in mind im from the US so many of these may only be availabe here).

Italia Simpson Design



Italia Coupe (concept/photoshop) Retroforza - Italia UK distributor

[jonaqua]

Italia 2 (concept) Simpson Design



Manta Ray Simpson Design


m1stang m1stang



Pitcrew Pitcrew Racing R-Speed (US Distrib)


Monster Miata Monster Miata


Misc Kits
Moes Bodykits Collection

Go-Fast Parts (mainly US companies -- all well respected)

RS Aizawa - R-Speed
Flyin Miata
Stage One Tuning (parent: BR Performance
Fuji Racing
Fast Foward Superchargers

I know I'm missing a bunch. But this is a good start for those interested in MX5 kits

[jonaqua]

And for those interested, here's mine!



I plan on picking up an NA miata soon to start an Italia build with my father (unless another interesting kit comes along!).


(EDIT)Sorry I just strolled through the posts and realized most of these were posted before

Edited by jonaqua on Tuesday 25th July 21:26

[cptsideways]

There are quite a few my favourites are the Pitcrew Racing ones

Edited by cptsideways on Tuesday 25th July 21:40

[sjg]

In case you're not aware, Westfield have launched a new version of their SDV (Single Donor Vehicle) kit based on the mk1 1.6 MX5.

www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/content/news.asp?news_id=10

Discussed here:

http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/i

Apparently the Westfield demo car was built for £7500 and weighs about 560kg - that's for a regular kit, not a lightweight track special. Has carpets, heater, windscreen, etc. The Mazda bits are apparently a lot lighter than the usual Ford ones!

Edited by sjg on Tuesday 25th July 21:51

[jonaqua]

Thanks! I haven't seen that kit yet.

Here's a Locust kit build diary using the mx5 as a single donor:

www.cheapsportscar.net

Edited by jonaqua on Tuesday 25th July 21:55

[tr3a]

Here's one to envy your near-sighted, clueless neighbours:



Oh look, 'im from next door's got one of them Austin Martins!

[jonaqua]

hah yeah I've seen that. Not a fan, although the rear end doesn't look half bad.

[smash]

Ha-ha! That Mustang is brilliant! - so much better than the Ride GTR *ahem* although the amount of steel added would make the V8 conversion necesary as well!!

I like the retroforza but the front and rear always look 'separate' from the mid to me, I think it was a big mistake not to reskin the door as it is very obvious and affects the shape. Bit like the Beauford - everytime I see one of those all I can see is an MG Midget door!

[jonaqua]

hah I like the m1stang. I'm sure even with the added weight it's lighter than the new MX5.

I agree about the doors on the Italia kit. I see this problem on a bunch of mx5 rebodies. Atleast in pictures, the stock mx5 doors don't blend well with the rest of the body. However, I will reserve my judgement until I see it in person.

[Martin Keene]

I was over at the Westfield factory the other weekend, and the new MX5 car is nice, and the 560kgs is believable as well. There was a club run over to the factory a couple of weeks ago, and after they weighed the MX5, they weighed some of the club members cars and the numbers coming back were as people had seen before.

In fact it is that nice I'm giving serious consideration to selling mine and building a new one... Hmm, wonder how much weight can be saved by dumping the windscreen, carpets, comfy seats, most of wiring, etc...

[chriswhitlock]

Martin Keene said:

Hmm, wonder how much weight can be saved by dumping the windscreen, carpets, comfy seats, most of wiring, etc...

I was having the same thoughts about mine

[emicen]

Now thats retro and very cool.

[dc53]

tr3a said:

Here's one to envy your near-sighted, clueless neighbours:



Oh look, 'im from next door's got one of them Austin Martins!

now thats taking a mx5 tooooo far

[jonaqua]

This one's from one of the websites I linked in my first post. I'm not sure if it's a kit or just a one off.

[jonaqua]

Cyana MX500 Cyana Sports Cars