Replacement hood advice for mk1 MX5

[simon clark]

Hi All,

I am just about to pick up a 1997 mk1 UK MX5 which needs a little TLC and the first thing on the list is a replacement hood.

I am considering fitting this myself - would anyone who's done this care to advise if it's a straight forward job or best left to a professional.

Secondly there seems to be a lot of choice on the market for replacements and I am looking for a good quality vinyl hood, not mohair, but if the <£200 ones are just a good (it's going to be garaged) then I would be happy not to spend the extra - any thoughts?

Finally, I am based near Maidstone, Kent and I wondered if anyone can recommend a local fitter as I believe it's a 2 hour job for a pro so I would probably be happier to pay someone.

All advise welcomed.

Cheers

Simon

[jammiedodger26]

After a cracked rear window last night and some ongoing leaking problems...I'd be very interested in an answer to this as well!

[Shaw Tarse]

I assume you have had a look at

[SimonV8ster]

I just had my complete hood out and refitted it which was relatively straight forward.

I can see how replacing the material would be a similar straight forward job.

[JFReturns]

Hi Simon,

I live in Sittingbourne and use Freelance Mazda in Chatham. The main mechanic Mark certainly knows his stuff, having worked on the '5 since it came out.

I think I paid around £300 all in for a new roof. Not a job I would fancy and you need a rivet gun....

[anonymous-user]

I posted a thread about this a few months back when I replaced my own. I wouldn't say it was difficult if you take your time and have a decent amount of space to work in, I'm your average DIY-er when it comes to cars, if I can do it so can anyone IMO. Rivet gun with rivets was about £10 from homebase, a roll of duck tape, some contact adhesive and a dandy cars vinyl hood at about £160 when I bought it, cheap as chips.

here it is http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th March 18:06

[snotrag]

I've just put a "new" hood on my Mk1.

I'd highly reccomend getting a mk2 style hood and frame. I got a 2hand hood and frame, complete with heated glass window, and it's a massive upgrade i'n terms of visibility and the frame and hood are better designed.

It's also extremely easy to change a hoof AND frame together - o did it on my own in about an hour, a real doddle.

If your cars a daily, or you don't have a garage to do the job in, I'd even suggest that getting a frame off a scrapper, the fitting your new hood to it first, off the car. This would minimise the
risk of buggering anything up!

The 2nd hand hood I got was practically mint though, glad I didn't buy a new one.

Look out for any mk2's at breakers.

[S Works]

Simon, pretty sure Raify had a replacement done by Mark @Freelance in Gillingham. I'm off there Tues to get the manifold fixed, he did a good job on my service work just before Xmas, and will be getting my business going forward.

[Raify]

No, I got mine from a guy in Southborough, who was brilliant and I'd recommend in a heart beat. But I can't find his details.

Didn't realise that Freelance did them. I'd get him to do it.

[S Works]

Raify said:

No, I got mine from a guy in Southborough, who was brilliant and I'd recommend in a heart beat. But I can't find his details.

Didn't realise that Freelance did them. I'd get him to do it.

I sit on my ass, corrected

Info on Freelance's hood services here:
http://www.freelancemazda.co.uk/hoods.htm

[simon clark]

Thanks for the advice guys,
I am seriously considering the mk2 upgrade as would like a glass rear screen.
Cheers
Simon

[Codd]

I've always been told Jack Smith's in Swansea is the place to head for a new hood, last I heard was £260 for a mohair/glass fitted.

Shall be giving them a ring in a couple of weeks time and heading down there myself! Quite the drive from Watford but even with the petrol costs it's a massive saving over the £500+ it would cost for the same roof arrangement anywhere around here.

Address for anyone else interested;

Jack Smith Trimmers of Swansea
Rear of 158 St. Helens Avenue
Swansea
SA1 4NQ
01792 461 022

[Dawlish]

Many, many thanks to Codd for the Jack Smith contact details and info. I just took my Mk 2 to him in Swansea; new mohair hood fitted in 2hrs, brilliant quality, skilled fitting job, great result....and for £260 fitted, all in, an amazing price. This is at early Feb 2013 - so his price hasn't changed since Codd's posting in 2011!!!!! Only comment to make; when I told him it was my wife's MX5 he said he would have fitted the more flexible mohair, had he known, as it makes the hood easier to close. Price no different, apparently. I was quite happy to accept that the glass heated window was recycled from a previous MX5, as mine will now be for the next customer. It works perfectly (as mine did) and is in at least as good condition. Don't be put off by the scruffy lock-up Jack works out - - he is clearly an expert, honest, friendly and efficient. Makes the hoods himself and is completely clear and informative about any minor differences in manufacturing techniques from the OEM hoods. Brilliant, highly recommended - and having seen the fitting process I am extremely glad I didn't try to do it myself.

[Max M4X WW]

Dawlish said:

Many, many thanks to Codd for the Jack Smith contact details and info. I just took my Mk 2 to him in Swansea; new mohair hood fitted in 2hrs, brilliant quality, skilled fitting job, great result....and for £260 fitted, all in, an amazing price. This is at early Feb 2013 - so his price hasn't changed since Codd's posting in 2011!!!!! Only comment to make; when I told him it was my wife's MX5 he said he would have fitted the more flexible mohair, had he known, as it makes the hood easier to close. Price no different, apparently. I was quite happy to accept that the glass heated window was recycled from a previous MX5, as mine will now be for the next customer. It works perfectly (as mine did) and is in at least as good condition. Don't be put off by the scruffy lock-up Jack works out - - he is clearly an expert, honest, friendly and efficient. Makes the hoods himself and is completely clear and informative about any minor differences in manufacturing techniques from the OEM hoods. Brilliant, highly recommended - and having seen the fitting process I am extremely glad I didn't try to do it myself.

Sounds great, can you please post some photos? I've seen some but would love to see more as I'm booked in early March.

He suggested I went for the female friendly top as our car is, well our car!

[simon3000]

hi i have an mx5 mk1 and have just cracked my rear screen ! i want to get a hood fitted with glass screen but with a mk2 frame ...does anyone know somewhere where i can get it done?...i live in east anglia