❤️
Again, thank you so much for having me. KINOD was a cool experience, and finally meeting you in person was a pleasure.
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❤️
Again, thank you so much for having me. KINOD was a cool experience, and finally meeting you in person was a pleasure.
Can you ever say enough good things about something that moves you so much? Even if its been said and shared before I can’t really help myself. The way Adam’s gauges capture the subtle details of my nearly 25 year old Speedmaster. Both capturing a passage of time and of the memories that accompanied it. And yes, I am indeed a bit of a sap…
https://i.imgur.com/eQdP8Pv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sFnuLXN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6YfQRCP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uMMIQtW.jpg
Adam’s tribute HVAC panel was the perfect complement and makes me happy with S2’s Eunos Roadster plaque.
https://i.imgur.com/cAGUCGV.jpg
As you can probably tell, I have a deep appreciation for artisanal work of all kinds. Anything crafted by an individual is such a great contrast to the mass manufacturing of most things these days (yeah, get off my lawn and all that stuff other old guys like to say). Regardless, that appreciation did turn me on to a mad Momo collector in Holland who had taken to fabricating his own horn buttons, out of leather. He has some beautiful ones with the Porsche crest that I had really admired. We’d talked about the Momo x pd wheel I’d been looking for (which I excitedly shared with him when I finally found one). Then I reached out to see if he ever had come across the actual “pd” button (as I didn’t have one to start but managed to find later). He let me in on a secret that he had been thinking about create a leather version that for me would be so subtle yet so perfectly right and the perfect complement to the leather boss. I committed to buying one to try and encourage him along.
The first picture he sent was a sample of the stamped leather…
https://i.imgur.com/ubl3LC6.png?1
The second a bit later was assembled as a horn button prototype
https://i.imgur.com/f9SJCUl.png
Then an IG post about his first complete production run
https://i.imgur.com/7EChtwR.png
And then the package arrived. Small, small detail but I do love it a lot. The original…
https://i.imgur.com/ua1LP9y.jpg
And new…
https://i.imgur.com/3PoQSqd.jpg
Wow that horn button is a subtle difference but very nice!
Before his arrival, Roadster7 also turned me on to a great site where you could upload images and make awesome custom stickers with great ease. Now every time I’ve seen a KIND bar I can’t help read “KINOD”. I started sharing that with many other KINOD-ers and as it turns out, once it’s seen it cannot be unseen. Seemed like a good reason to retake our brand…
https://i.imgur.com/YwvdlK1.jpg
For a couple weeks I’d been chatting with Danny Irvine to see if I could encourage him to come to KINOD as I wanted to meet him while he was on this continent (he’s from the land down-under). For those of you that don’t know of Danny, do yourselves a little favor and put “Danny Irvine Mazda” into google. If that’s too hard, try “all_things_mazda” in Instagram and look at his feed.
He is Mazda enthusiast extraordinaire with a strong love of all things Rotary but of the marque in general. His collection is quite extraordinary. As it turned out he wouldn’t be able to make it to KINOD but noted he would be at the Pelican Cars & Coffee event on Sept 14th and asked if I was going. Me? Hadn’t heard of it. Turns out it was less than five miles from my house. The Facebook invite page noted Ashley, Brad and Woolery were already going. Was I going? Would be rude not to. When I showed up the Porsche’s were clustered together but there was a spot just beside Ashley’s AZ-1 so figured that was the best
Such a great conversation, some random connections through Mining and a few pics Danny was kind enough to share. He’ll be back for SevenStock in November which probably means I need to remedy the fact that’s an event I’ve never made though I absolutely do not expect it will do anything at all to reduce my hankering for an FD.
https://i.imgur.com/KtN2izF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yclTg6H.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/t8Xzb9h.jpg
Funny, I've been debating for the last couple of years what should be next for me and it always comes back to FD, ND, or AZ1. Then again, there probably are very few Miata owners who wouldn't consider a FD if they had the opportunity. Then there's just something about the AZ1. That blue Mazdaspeed screams fun.
We'll talk this weekend?
A short week later on Sept 21st the 15th annual Japanese Classic Car Show was taking place just down in Long Beach. A while back Corifto (he who loves to find a plan to just about anything that poses a challenge, both large or small) suggested he might be able to swing a trip to the left coast from FL to join so I excitedly recruited him to pilot the Sunburst so we could show “hers and his”. You know, unadulterated vs lovingly modified Roadsters set out side by side. A plan was starting to come together. Since a personal commitment to Mrs. R was conflicting with my ability to attend the last ever Miata’s at Laguna Seca reunion this felt like a great opportunity for a consolation prize to celebrate all things Roadster with as many fellow Miata nuts as we could find.
With some mild coercion here and there the local Miata tribe had a pretty solid showing with a stunning pair of Pitcrews from Mssr’s Woolery and Eli, Kevin’s freshly updated Zoom inspired build complete with period correct bumpers front and back, and Courtney with her fresh white NA. Willis again brought down his pretty RS Aizawa build along with some of his NorCal crew (again with Jay’s superb 510 wagon). Beyond the entrants of course there was a ton of KINOD attendees as well as Marco who’d reached out suggesting he and Marco Sr. might also make the trek from FL (the latter with a pair of 510’s, a Datsun Roadster and some fantastic stories about his own car history). We also were delighted to welcome Bo, the delightful and soon to be Mrs. G, Brad and Janika from the PNW. After a previous JCCS I once hosted a Roadster-ish BBQ at the house which was a great way to continue the day so decided that would be a great option to bring this fantastic group together.
Now the prior weekend, Jim Simpson had also posted he would be at JCCS and put his mobile number out there for anyone that wanted to connect. I texted him my number and said it would be fantastic to finally meet him and talk about his designs and love of Roadsters. I also asked him a question about a specific car he had. About three minutes later my phone rang and it was Jim. He said he preferred to talk than messaging and I learned what I needed about his car in about two minutes. We then ended up sharing car stories for almost the next hour and I closed in noting that he and his wife should come to the BBQ if they didn’t have plans. I’d figured he would already have plans but he said that sounded like a great idea. It was fantastic to have yet another couple of Pacific North Westerners joining in. It seems to be a part of this country where we have a specific affiliation with its local inhabitants. It might be that before we moved to the UK we were living north of the boarder (wall) in Vancouver, Canada’s Pacific South-West. Perhaps something to do with all the fresh air and rain.
Now we did miss out on covering the four corners with someone from the North East but there’s always next year.
Friday was the airport pick-up, the second Costco trip of the week, the third and fourth trips to the grocery store, a quick lawn mow and a pretty superficial clean up of the Roadsters ahead of a pre-KINOD Korean BBQ with the PNW CatDaddies and Corey.
Some of the final clean up and prep. CarMakeCorns really came through when I realized too late that the window side molding on the Sunburst was in really bad shape. A relatively quick but so utterly delightful task to replace an old set with shiny smooth new molding. So nice to know that underneath that new molding was utterly clean OEM paint…
https://i.imgur.com/CxzHVic.jpg
Bill Wilner had been around a previous weekend and ever so kindly dropped off a set of replacement bolts he was having made up to replace the Frankenstein’s for his build. Since the MazdaSpeed top doesn’t have the rear cover it was just such a perfect modification. https://i.imgur.com/nwb2Fmm.jpg
You are a kind man Bill. It was about time I acknowledged MiataRoadster by repping the new decal in the quarter window alongside MRNet.
https://i.imgur.com/9wg6Ea1.jpg
Roadster7 had finally schooled me that the Garagestar latches were only in part for the added security and more importantly weren’t a more affordable alternative to my OEM/ Beatrush latch combo but that they had the ability to essentially remove all remaining wobble so a set was ordered and arrived in time for JCCS.
https://i.imgur.com/e2L1SEw.jpg
Roundels from RevLimiter were finally back on and oh my, how I’ve missed them. (Editorial note: I finally think I have the perfect size. I started with 14” which were awkwardly small. The second set were 21” and a bit too over-powering. The recommended 17” (16.67” to be precise) came from Artcenter. I knew this was coming and alright, damnit, I guess I finally have to give his design background the credit it may just deserve albeit reluctantly for fear it just may go to his head ;). His theory was that a roundel should be roughly the same size as a wheel + tire. Turns out my 14” wheels and R888’s have a diameter of 16.67” so that’s what it was.
https://i.imgur.com/uv4oTcf.jpg
Not a single KINOD picture as I was too busy connecting with all the out of towners so unsurprising KINDO ran til half past midnight or later. I can’t remember for certain. All I know is that I didn’t get to sleep until after 2am which made the 5:00 wake-up call even a bit harder to handle. (in fact, I was so exhausted at JCCS I spent most the timing on my sitting muscle, trying to have somewhat coherent conversations and completely missed the opportunity for any pictures beyond the few below).
I have to insert a funny anecdote about Corey that really typifies the kind of person he is. After KINOD and before hitting the hay I’d noted I needed to start the pork in the slow cooker before we left and was planning on getting up at 5am. The recipe was sat next to the slowcooker. I let myself snooze as my early morning brain had whizzed through every calculation to ensure I had precisely the right amount of time still in bed leaving just enough to cover everything I needed to without the wastage of any surplus.
As I made my way down stairs into the Kitchen at closer to 5:30 there was Corey with a counter full of ingredients, mixing bowls and cups and spoons. Since I hadn’t been up at 5 as I’d suggested he was worried I wouldn’t be getting to it so started the recipe. Big man, enormous heart. Turns out Jen had made the sauce the day before and it was in the fridge. My job was merely to put the pork in slow cooker, pour the sauce over and turn it on.. something she was pretty convinced I could handle. A few hearty laughs and we transitioned to making our way down to Long Beach.
https://i.imgur.com/C2122oA.jpg
Corey ready to the pilot the Sunburst…
https://i.imgur.com/BtE60ic.jpg
And along the 405 I saw that he was going to pass me. What the heck, I was pretty sure he didn’t know how he was going to find Long Beach let along the venue. To save him the embarrassment I sped up and he fell back in line. My early morning brain hadn’t even contemplated that he was taking a couple rolling shots. I honestly think these may be some of my favorites.. its so great to see our cars moving…
https://i.imgur.com/5udTW2W.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7vANjJU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UgXcy8E.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/J6yE4Bz.jpg
As always, it was great to see Tom again and have a little chat while troubling him to sign yet a few more things.
https://i.imgur.com/dV5of2U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KIV4TN8.jpg
As some of you might recall, that RevLimiter built one of one series custom is very precious. Now two of my heroes have inked this. To Benny. Heart Sharka
https://i.imgur.com/j5YdcAY.jpg?1
And end with a BBQ
Willis’ car https://i.imgur.com/efMcqMo.jpg
Jim Simpson https://i.imgur.com/Mkp5EfU.jpg
The evening was capped off with a birthday cake the lovely Mrs. R had made
https://i.imgur.com/RmO8Wpp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/p9X1z7U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iaDtTdE.jpg
She later showed me the template for how she took Shintaro Design’s image and made it into a full scale edible masterpiece https://i.imgur.com/CCkX9ez.jpg?1
With friends like these , a loving family and our health I am indeed a lucky, lucky man
You are indeed a lucky, lucky man. And I am glad that you take all this time to properly share and convey all your experiences to us. Jealous; in a good way. Oh, and happy birthday!!!
MRLS just wasnt the same without ya, pete. but glad i could make it down for jccs, and thanks again for being such a gracious host!
That cake was phenomenal. A great cap to what I imagine was an amazing weekend.
Thanks fella, was thankful we could have our own mini Roadster reunion and delighted to see all the incredible updates of the Cat Daddie's roadtrip, Chilli's, et al. I need to see that sexy MS roadster of yours sooner than latter.
Really missed seeing you and Mrs. Druz and has got me thinking that, not to replace MiataReunion but really feeling like we need to think about what a good get together weekend on the left coast could look like in 2020...
Thanks again Pete for the awesome time! I will be back out there some time soon.
When I was at Karuizawa I signed up for the RCOJ with the help of someone willing to help explain what exactly I needed to fill out in the form that was entirely in Japanese. Really wasn’t overly confident that it would work out but lo and behold, a good few months later my first two annual issues of the club magazine came through (almost all text so the google translate camera app will be busy) along with my membership card and some stickers. Will serve as a great reminder to the hospitality and camaraderie on that trip.
https://i.imgur.com/LaEZgah.jpg
Having all these good Miati feelings was a great impetus for a good scrub up for the trio…
https://i.imgur.com/1SfZn8m.jpg
I’ve still been feeling a bummed out about missing the last MRLS and a chance to connect with many amazing people as well as probably the last time I’d be able to throw Benny down the corkscrew. After a bunch of travel I’d gone to my first KINOD in a while and ever so kindly one my favorite KINODers showed up with a little gift!!! So very kind Mr. Inge!
https://i.imgur.com/CKygLrP.jpg
Since most of my Miata memorabilia is relegated to my closet I’ve also taken to bringing more of it into the garage since there’s more space. I finally managed to get some more pictures up on the wall and realized it would be better to hang up the two steering wheels that are currently taking a break.
https://i.imgur.com/AHFXScs.jpg
The Mariner has both the twitchy tach thing going on (thanks KFJ for the tip in the other post, has given me some things to go check out). It’s also needed a boost twice when its sat for a little bit so need to get that sorted. In the meantime that plus the fact eldest son is off at college has given me the excuse to get the BRG out more and have really been enjoying the stock engine along with the suspension, tires et al. Such a different character than the turbo.
https://i.imgur.com/EjgMPLS.jpg
But one of the things that’s never really sat well with me is how the silver RS Products HVAC panel worked. The double sided tape holding it on had also loosened in the heat so started to droop.
https://i.imgur.com/E86UzaZ.jpg
Something needed to be done about that and since I’d won another Nielex tombstone from YJA for a great price a while back I decided it was time to put it in. Really, really happy with how it all feels now…
https://i.imgur.com/iRdUCsF.jpg
Following Randy’s tip I made my way early this morning to the local GameStop to wait for it to open.
https://i.imgur.com/MnfZSpZ.jpg
I was the only one there but got my BRG car. I don’t understand this HotWheels things particularly well just yet but understood I should pick up the other rare cars from this drop.
https://i.imgur.com/2vZfPya.jpg
Gotta love the Nielex tomstone looks; and the black RS products HVAC looks fantastic. Really wish there was an equally cool option for us NB guys.
I’m really happy with the silver accents in Berg and remembered that if I were lucky, Garret may have just had one extra set of KG Works pulls to hand. Turns out I was in luck so we agreed to an exchange at KINOD.
We started disassembly of the passenger door while we were there and confirmed you definitely need a drill to get the rivets out. So after Friday’s meet wrapped I made my way home and straight into the garage to make some quick work of getting assemblies disassembled.
https://i.imgur.com/Py6X9Tw.jpg
Getting the pins in to hold the pulls is straight forward enough but did learn one trick that I wanted to pass on – make sure the lock is pointed in the right direction and don’t screw it to the assembly until everything is in place. That may save some of you 10-15 minutes of trying to figure out how it could all go back in while already attached.
https://i.imgur.com/qdM1ZtD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3ugG679.jpg
Decided to wait until daylight to get the second one installed but overall pretty pleased with this as a start. Now I definitely need to find some cups over in the WTB thread…
https://i.imgur.com/tTKeodN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gdCQPJI.jpg
As many of my best Miati friendships have taken hold, introductions started on this very forum with some banter on build threads, they typically extended to Instagram benefiting from the IM functionality but ultimately blossomed over phone calls and eventual face to face time. And so it was with Roadster7 when Maksim took his family on holidays in SoCal affording the chance to co-opt some time for KINOD and many talks about Roadsers, life and everything.
I’ve really appreciated the care he’s put towards tastefully modifying his MX5 and the subtle M2 inspired touches. He modestly dismisses the incredible attention to detail even when the results have come from his own craftsmanship (see here https://mazdaroadster.net/showthread...94-Roadster-NA). No overt bravado just a constant goal of pushing himself, his capabilities, ambitions and ultimately his build. I‘ve been inspired by the workmanship he put into many things and especially the how he pulled it off. A few months ago I really needed to know more about how he tackled his seats.
https://i.imgur.com/tjIoQIB.jpg
His project started life with a typical set of Sierra Auto Tops seat covers from Amazon. And because he’s not the kind of guy to leave it at that, he decided they would be far better with grommets. But wait, why start with shiny grommets when you could make them even better by giving them a nice brushed finish??
https://i.imgur.com/H7jjVf8.jpg
Sounds easy too, right? Yeah, maybe not. Not when you have so many to do. It makes sense to develop a good system…
https://i.imgur.com/mL6tmZU.png
https://i.imgur.com/Voe103X.png
So very very worth it!
https://i.imgur.com/H7jjVf8.jpg
Measuring.. so much measuring
https://i.imgur.com/GgxG6hM.png
And then punching the perfectly sized holes…
https://i.imgur.com/mNpswFs.png
Many, many holes
https://i.imgur.com/z5s6JSA.jpg
And of course grommets can’t just be stuffed in the holes. Oh no, they need to be carefully cut on the backsides. So many cuts…
https://i.imgur.com/jLDgBIn.png
Many, many cuts.
https://i.imgur.com/dsybtAe.png
Oh my!
https://i.imgur.com/mZbYGxa.png
And then voila, just like that these covers become amazing works of art
https://i.imgur.com/WeG3NHn.jpg
Then the craziest thing happens. They show up in my garage!! Wait. What?! Well we’d been talking and I inevitably shared that the seats in the BRG were the biggest blight in that car. They were cracked, split, worn, filthy seats and in dire need of replacing. They were so bad that thankfully not a single picture of them exists but take my word for it. We got talking about his seat project and how it had come together and how fantastic they turned out. And just like that he said, order a set of covers to my house and I’ll put the grommets in for you. Seriously?! Impossible, I couldn’t accept that kind of generosity. But he insisted and somewhere along the way I got ok with it. Since I had the original ~50k mile seats from Benny that would be the perfect starting point .
https://i.imgur.com/NdZnhN0.jpg
Kindness? Unquestionable! The amount of time he put into this and the fact he seemed happy to do it still blows me away. Modesty?? Man, it’s kinda crazy. Just look at it, this is all he had to say about his seats and the care and attention that went into them…
“Seats. My original seats were busted, I had an idea for something custom for a while. I ended up going with the Sierra vinyl upholstery, to which I added the metal grommets. I like them.
I also had an issue sliding around in my old seats while on the track, so I managed to find a good local deal on a set of Paco bolster supports. This, along with a moderate foamectomy and grippy vinyl mostly solved that sliding issue.”
While Maksim was visiting he shared all his experience and notes about the install process. What he had learned and how to approach it. Honestly? I was hugely intimidated. Work was busy so it was easy to let procrastination take hold but this felt like a big project that I’d had no prior experience to take on. I also started worrying that I was going to mess up his work. On top of that, when we got to actually making this happen he said “Wait. Don’t order a set to my house. Order five!! I’ll go through them all (because quality isn’t consistent) and find the ones with the least of amount of creases. Then I can send the other four back.” Crazy.
I’d been doing as much research as possible on foamectomys and install videos, etc, etc and was finally ready to start. Eldest son was coming home from college for the holidays and I thought it would be a great project for us to tackle together but didn’t think the extra hands would help that much unless you could be building two at the same time. Besides, I needed a complete seat to refer to to ensure things were going back together the way they were taken apart. And since I’ll be letting him drive Berg when he’s back thought it would be cool if he got to get some seat time in better seats.
Thankfully post-Thanksgiving sales meant I got a deal on an electric carving knife. Fantastic investment as it was great for shaping the foam and I didn’t get in trouble for ruin any of the good kitchen knives...
https://i.imgur.com/wnjVClA.jpg?1
Taking the seats out exposed what I’d expected was so much filth. So very very dirty.
https://i.imgur.com/7K483Ro.jpg
Dry shampooing had big improvement, not perfect but good enough for a place you can’t see (OCD clearly easing as I age)
https://i.imgur.com/0Ba6XXy.jpg?1
Removing these? Not at all fun.
https://i.imgur.com/HeCvQDH.jpg
So much rust and so many hog rings to remove.
https://i.imgur.com/iIzaQqt.jpg
And so the install could finally begin…
https://i.imgur.com/CwcGAVx.jpg
Was clearly too busy to take any “work in progress” pictures but finally got one done. Wrinkles would ease with some heat.
https://i.imgur.com/phOCaXp.jpg
Before getting the second one done I managed to find a moment to sit and take a break. Well, I was actually test sitting a cover on top of the foamextomied bottom but then it was comfortable and I tested it for longer than I needed to.
https://i.imgur.com/k7n59sw.jpg
And first one in!!! I started with the passenger side as I expected my learnings should lead to a better install on the second one and logically the driver side needed to take priority.
https://i.imgur.com/xXPkeHt.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oHx38Wc.jpg
There were some learnings applied and finally the interior was back. These pictures were rushed as I finished about 5 minutes after dinner had been served so hadn’t even straighted the covers out as much as I did later.
https://i.imgur.com/bec3ucR.jpg
After eating youngest son and I generously offered to go out and buy some ice cream at Handels down in Redondo beach. The drive was fantastic. The shiny hard old leather seats made you slide around but the grippy vinyl + foamectomy really helped keep us planted. My hands hurt like hell from snipping all the hog rings and coercing the vinyl into place but yet another incredibly rewarding project that I never could have done without help from a dear friend from this incredible Roadster tribe we have.
https://i.imgur.com/ekDYRii.jpg
Oh man. Your words are too kind, Pete. I’m thrilled to see these finally installed and I’m glad you like them!
Oh my. These look amazing! And massive kudos to Roadster7 both for the idea and the execution!
How are grommets in terms of comfort? I was always scared they would be too had to sit on.
There you go again. It's not me that was too kind haha
They are totally comfortable. The only time I've ever had any issues with the grommets on the Nakamae's is in the hot summer sun when they can leave little brands on exposed skin. ;)
Despite my best efforts to polish out the fogging and discoloration, the rear window of the Sunburst was terrible.
https://i.imgur.com/OTjtCDD.jpg
It’s never driven with the top up so the only real downside was that it didn’t look nice when it was parked top up.
And then it happened. First one crack, which then grew. And then another. It looked like this 100% OEM car was about to be stained by it’s first after market part!!!
I’ve been happy with the quality of the Robbins tops even if neither have loosened up to the point of being ”easy” to latch. Guess it’s the price for having a glass rear window or I just haven’t been bothered enough to try and fix it. No time so off it went to Alex at Integrated to take care of the job. As I made my way up to the bay I could see that pretty little sunburst ready for me…
https://i.imgur.com/dMpa2UJ.jpg
So clean
https://i.imgur.com/FVqbIDh.jpg
Really really clean
https://i.imgur.com/6cnQE7X.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RMSWL35.jpg
Clean clean window
https://i.imgur.com/DCR0t7E.jpg
And all was again well in the world. Mrs. R even said, looks like the seal is broken for other aftermarket considerations. Hmmm…
And so as not to make Benny feel left out, will just leave this here...
https://i.imgur.com/VG0Y4rm.jpg
Wow, kudos to Maksim!! They look spectacular!!:slayer:
Over Thanksgiving we were back in Canada visiting eldest son, parents, in-laws, nephews and siblings. Since my company holiday Party was the following Friday it meant I hadn’t been to KNOD for almost four weeks. That made KINOD Christmas on Friday a particularly wonderful way to start the weekend. Such a fantastic group of people and so much laughter.
https://i.imgur.com/fT0q0mp.jpg
Saturday morning I wanted to tackle a little project with a thorough scrub of the MK2’s. Thorough enough that I couldn’t do it with them on the car…
https://i.imgur.com/j8BGLaM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Wt2qC4J.jpg
The main reason I actually wanted them so clean was because I’ve learned you should never put anything away dirty. With another Apple Valley Speedway track session scheduled with KINOD for the 22nd I thought it a good idea to try out the more track oriented wheels. Eldest son has been dying to get back on track ever since his first time out so is a kick-off to the break I’m so looking forward to. I will be bringing Benny this time since I haven’t tracked since the turbo (!!) and L is bringing along his lady friend so two cars is a necessity anyways. I forgot how much I liked this combo!
https://i.imgur.com/mIFaaiH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KX86F1d.jpg
My favorite patron saint of this tribe, Mr RevLimiter, again extended his kindness with a surprise package. Within was a custom BRG HotWheels that had been modified to match Berg. From the black rollbar to removing the roundels and other decals to the tiniest details like all the added shiny bits. I was very very touched. The idea of having a HotWheels of a car you own and love it one thing. To have it subtly changed to really reflect your actual car is something else. Unfortunately I have failed miserably to manage to take a good picture of it.
https://i.imgur.com/eEs3mZJ.jpg
Was reminded of a local Sunday cars and coffee event by Datsun Garage. A great opportuntiy for Frodo and I to get out for an early drive and contribute to their charity drive for the holidays. As with so many SoCal car events there was a huge range of cars.
https://i.imgur.com/yPXkq9y.jpg
Everything from a festive group of old school Volkswagens…
https://i.imgur.com/98w1VVQ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/2HWspBG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zseSUHD.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/mk86Hu2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/My0zWI3.jpg
To some crazy custom trucks
https://i.imgur.com/QQztFJS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/trJkKV9.jpg
American classics
https://i.imgur.com/857Yglp.jpg https://i.imgur.com/E86ZksQ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uI3EFzG.jpg
And of course, plenty of great Japanese classics…
https://i.imgur.com/f9m3P91.jpg https://i.imgur.com/M5rVd0p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mDNOXl4.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vyyfqLl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OmWAK4t.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vlzI4sT.jpg
Including this 1965 S800. The owner of ~25 years is a life long Toyota fan and the time we spent sharing car stories was an absolute delight.
https://i.imgur.com/4EYMfYb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8hK4sdH.jpg
Another fantastic weekend ahead of the final stretch of work before really delving into some wonderful family and Roadster time over the break.
Jeez that looks good. And seeing under those seats makes me want to clean mine.
PS. I see you hiding that silver MS rain jacket from me.
Unlike most of the country, SoCal doesn’t afford me any winter hibernation excuses for falling so far behind on updates. I guess where things were left I was feeling pretty good about the state of BERG…
https://i.imgur.com/wR0XJRn.jpg
Eldest son was due back from college for Christmas with a fresh outlook on life. Specifically a newfound appreciation for the delights of a full fridge, ready access to free laundy and not sharing a bathroom with dozens of others with varying hygene considerations. Besides reconnecting with his girlfriend it seemed that the chance to drive was among the greatest joys of being back home, not surprising after four months of buses and walking.
I’d successfully pestered the friend who organizes Apple Valley Speedway (nee Grange) events to schedule a KINOD track day that would sync well with our holiday plans. I covered eldest’s track fees as an Xmas present and since his gf wanted to join I got to bring Benny along.
*Mandatory fill-up pic*
https://i.imgur.com/z9ZGKAE.jpg
On the way there I also crossed the 90k milestone. Forty thousand miles of joy after nearly five year of ownership.
https://i.imgur.com/tBY8y8M.jpg
Alex came along for his first track day in his sweet little LE
https://i.imgur.com/LnufC0G.jpg
It was a cold winter day in the desert but nice to stretch the legs after the 115 mile drive
https://i.imgur.com/jLEc89E.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ozci5KY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lLMCVMl.jpg
Doesn’t get much better than co-piloting some hot laps with a loved one and a chance to provide some tips and share a little experience…
https://i.imgur.com/DIU4w6n.jpg
Fun fun fun
https://i.imgur.com/kygr4jV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6yuMQne.jpg
Except when your control arm snaps. Luckily Brian’s car was trailered to the track so no change in the trip home
https://i.imgur.com/5Jh06RL.jpg
It was a truly fantastic day ended with the quiet drive along the 2mile dirt road before getting on the freeways to head home…
https://i.imgur.com/SISe08l.jpg
If you’ve followed my thread long enough you already know I’m terrible with a camera. Even worse at night which is a shame because the weekly KINOD meet has really been getting back to the solid numbers we used to have before we were forced to move from the old Krispy Kreme lot. A couple that weren’t terrible…
https://i.imgur.com/xdxIMR8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2V7MAMV.jpg
A group of us decided to anniversary our end of year cruise up to Malibu. We met early to have a coffee and a chat before setting off…
https://i.imgur.com/JIDBnvj.jpg
A fantastic site of eight Roadsters running Pacific Coast Highway on our way through Venice and Santa Monica…
https://i.imgur.com/9i63lyr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KHkbV4I.jpg
And
https://i.imgur.com/2vxHdsk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oyE8Jj1.jpg
The trip gave me the chance to recreate the exact same shot Nico took in 2018 with some help from Gio. Nice to look at some of the changes that happened over 2019.
https://i.imgur.com/WByXmzQ.jpg
There’s a Super-car type meet nearby that just happened to end while we were wrapping up so we got our fill of exotics of all shapes and sounds. It seemed the petrolheads among them were also appreciating our love of the cult of Roadster.
https://i.imgur.com/OAvf4zd.jpg
Pete I think I need to head back out there. I need to go to another KINOD.
Gosh, catching up on this thread was awesome. You and your cars are an inspiration. I need to start planning a trip to California to see all of your awesome cars in person.
Getting close to being caught up...
Last weekend, Brian and Andi Goodwin decided they needed to host a Cars & Coffee at their HQ. I’d never actually driven to San Diego in all the years we’d lived here so it seemed like a good idea. Especially after corralling a number of KINOD and other MX5 drivers.
Damned early wake-up call but kinda fun to get out on the road before anyone else was awake///
https://i.imgur.com/PScafVL.jpg
It was a very very foggy morning which made me regret even more that I didn’t jump on JK’s Cibie’s that he posted last year…
https://i.imgur.com/HRW7mOE.jpg
One the fog lifted and the cloud covered son brightened the day we had the chance to stretch out our legs a bit more…
Jeo’s ITB’ed smurf
https://i.imgur.com/zQZjswU.jpg
David’s LE
https://i.imgur.com/6to9ahh.jpg
Kevin and Vu’s Roadsters
https://i.imgur.com/MSnttEQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sxk0ktq.jpg
“She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts kid. I made a lot of special modifications myself”
https://i.imgur.com/d8BnRf4.jpg
The turnout was more than the parking lot for we all managed to find a space to park up at the back.
https://i.imgur.com/4ttrJ2g.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zwtYox8.jpg
I never take pics of the engine bay but Kevin did so I felt like I should share
https://i.imgur.com/2Ikg5Ri.jpg
Another fun excuse to get out with friends for a drive and to meet new folks with a shared passion for all things Miati.
https://i.imgur.com/uzP0xui.jpg
I had Corns helping me bid on a bumper. One that would have taken care of the aforementioned fog issues but I clearly didn’t want it as a badly as someone else did. Until I didn’t get it and realized I should have bid more. It did get me thinking about the Barchetta’s need for a more substantial chin. One that might work better with the flares and help offset the weight at the back of the car with the MS wing. So Maksim took to his photoshop wizardry and mocked up an MS lip on Benny. I couldn’t believe how fantastic it looked. Not sure how much work would be needed for the R888’s to clear nor if the additional scrape-age is even feasible here. The Urethene R lip takes scrapes just fine but I’m concerned an FRP lip wouldn’t last long which is exactly why I’ve stayed away from the 100mm Trap. Anyways, certainly has given me something to think about…
https://i.imgur.com/2veAhAe.jpg
Feeling very thankful for being spoiled by year round Roadster weather and a wonderful collection of MX5’s…
https://i.imgur.com/IRKYp0o.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NaNgjxI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/G7oeFCc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FCRdwxU.jpg
… and a fantastic place to work on them.
https://i.imgur.com/bf3lhJd.jpg
Will be back to the framing shop after I received a surprise car package from Goff…
https://i.imgur.com/EaqVj0Y.jpg
It is true, roadster tribe is still the best tribe.
I've been thoroughly enjoying a lot more wheel time in the Sunburst and Berg over the last weeks since Benny has been in the shop. Well, a kind of a shop. The kind of shop that is tackling the biggest part of my 2020 goals. Hopefully more on that very soon. Until then will keep taking advantage of the night drives...
https://i.imgur.com/hSFqGCM.jpg
and enjoying the HyperRev collection. One day I hope to have a way to display all the various paraphernalia in the work space.
https://i.imgur.com/r4d8liG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1sbE7HZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pA80EkB.jpg
You really do spoil us with your fantastic photography! :cheers:
Hope you’re all safe and well while we’re all learning to live with the COVID reset and trying to define a new normal. Honestly feeling incredibly lucky we’ve been able to get our entire family back together (eldest son returned Wednesday to finish year 1 of College from home on the same day they started restricting cross border travel).
Three schooling from home and Mrs. R and I trying to WFH has had its positives in terms of connecting with each other and working on not going stir crazy. I’ve started cycling again and we’ve been doing more walks than usual. While I’m still waiting to get Benny back Mrs. R and I took out the Sunburst to stretch its legs and ours. We went all the way up to Palos Verdes trails to get away from the throngs of people on walking, running and cycling along the beaches.
She still holds that her NA is the best NA. Had to admit it did look pretty sweet basking in all it’s OEM glory.
https://i.imgur.com/TRknWA2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gmSnsrR.jpg
On the return home she made the effort but unsuccessfully tried to capture the odometer crossing 44,444 miles. Not sure why but I particularly enjoy reflecting on the miles of enjoyment I’ve had that are sometimes punctuated by particularly pleasing numbers :)
https://i.imgur.com/2g1T6kW.jpg
With the lock down measures getting more and more strict was delighted to receive the MPS concept brochure to appreciate that D technique kit in the turbo’d show car. That along with the back issues of Road&ster should help me from going ‘ster-crazy (sorry, couldn’t resist).
https://i.imgur.com/OJ82T6z.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qWKDgLI.jpg
More than anything I really hope you and yours are keeping safe and well and that the impact from these crazy times is a limited as possible. Be well, be safe…
A number of years ago Garret very kindly shared some pointers so I could finally navigate my way around YJA. Now this was back in the good ol’ days. Long before Mazdaspeed oil caps and Royal Clover keys were selling for $300. I learned to watch out for Hajime’s “super rare” listings (and his prices) and got a better sense of what was out there and what market value might be along with the added shipping and buying fees. Many many EMS packages later I feel lucky to have tracked down as many parts as I have and still truly enjoy the late night ritual of carousing the listings. (Pro-tip? Don’t buy big stacks of old magazines, they are silly expensive to send. Even if you opt for the sea freight option!).
There’s been a number of dream parts I’ve been lucky to find and still more I’ve been on the look-out for. One night I spotted the one that was at the top of that list.. a fairly rough looking Garage Vary Type II hood!! But this was my dream hood and sadly GV had discontinued it (despite best efforts they declined to consider making a limited run). The vent placement between the headlights and lack of “power bulge” made for the perfect design in my eyes and I’d been hunting for one for almost four years. I’d also tried and failed to convince Randy to let go of one too ;).
https://i.imgur.com/BcG2HTb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Dk650Cu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nRYCfip.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YP919uN.jpg
For items this big, Buyee wasn’t an option so I reached out to Sean at JDM Palace who was happy to help with local collection and putting it in his next container. The bidding commenced and we prevailed!
Unusually it was just a couple days later that a listing for another piece of my holy grail appeared. Since my searches focus on NA parts I’d missed this NB listing but Garret/ Maksim kindly let me know there was a Zoom wing for sale since they’d recalled I had been searching for a time. Since I already had Sean enlisted to help with large parts this felt like there was a viable option. Besides, it would have been rude not to, yes?
https://i.imgur.com/V2ErY3B.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HpnSo11.jpg
Both Maksim, Sean and I had contacted the seller about shipping possibilities which gave them the sense there would be very high demand for the wing and so took the listing down and relisted it with a significantly higher starting price. He then blocked Sean’s local buyer from bidding for some strange reason, perhaps since it was only for the minimum bid and they’d guessed the other shoppers might have missed it and needed another chance? Anyways, after many weeks they re-listed it and we got to place the winning bid.
I couldn’t believe my luck and was excited that Benny’s next stage was all starting to come together.
Around the same there had been some back and forth between Adam, Chris Horne and I about a set of RS side skirts Chris had listed on IG and MRNet. They rightfully made their way to New Mexico to be painted in a stunning Montego to adorn Sharka’s sills. Such a beautiful detail.
As we were getting close to the container’s contents being finalized ahead of shipping luck again shone down on me when a complete set of skirts appeared. At that point I reached out to Sean and then decided I really needed to stay off YJA for a while.
https://i.imgur.com/PDc9kog.jpg
On November 14th, Sean’s truck pulled into the drive with some amazing shaped boxes. It was great to meet him for the first time and share stories about our car and the memories they’ve built. I felt like that little kid on Christmas opening that Lego Galaxy Explorer set…
https://i.imgur.com/71vDrOZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uQqXbpL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8fJ7oLl.jpg
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The Zoom wing’s underside and struts had an interesting discoloration that gave it an almost gold-ish hue while the top of the wing was still bright unblemished silver. I wouldn’t be planning to run it with the original owner’s stickers so would have some work to do later to clean it up.
While I’d been waiting for the parts I was thinking about how I was going to tackle this project. I really like the Rspeed/ KGW spoiler but was having a lot of fun running the Mazdaspeed. The latter was never planned to be on full time but I loved having the option to easily switch between the two. The trunk lid from Bo (thanks again Bo!!) wasn’t color matched and the wing itself needed some repairs I’d need to factor that in to my plans.
https://i.imgur.com/eNJRSGu.jpg
On top of that, both the Barchetta front bumper and Zoom rear had been cracked/ chipped.
https://i.imgur.com/nTRSyXX.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OKnFLLA.jpg
The Barchetta was a mishap when the front left Shark snagged the R lip and cracked it, the rear was a surprise I came back to find in a parking lot. So a number of panels and parts were in need of paint. I also wanted the option to run the Zoom spoiler so had picked up a free trunk from a friend. The whole idea seemed pretty excessive to me until Woolery made me feel better about it given his multiple top options for his PitCrew.
So a couple bumpers to repair and the MS wing. Three trunk lids. The GV hood along with a set of AeroCatch latches to replace the rusted original ones.
https://i.imgur.com/4QW1K1A.jpg
Mid February, eldest son was home for a week from College so enlisted him to help me get the car and parts dropped off at Hermes. Always great to see Louis and we spent some time talking about what he’d do to try and match everything. The paint was in great condition considering it’s 31 years but matching was not super straight forward. We already discovered that when he tackled the hardtop and Zoom bumper. He’d noted that we were effectively only leaving out the doors and fenders. So I thought about it. And slept on it. And decided that for a car I intend to enjoy until my legs couldn’t handle a clutch or they take away my driver’s license that I should do the right thing and get a full respray.
Benny needed to have the decals removed along with the flares. These shots made me feel badly for the old chap. Almost like he was fully naked and completely exposed. That his dignity was being compromised.
https://i.imgur.com/8omxmOV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NwcAFeH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VKyWsCa.jpg
But then some of the work began and I got excited about what was to be!!
https://i.imgur.com/lXUP0OE.jpg
So much work to bring the hood back to life..
https://i.imgur.com/MWfw1Qa.jpg
The free trunk lid also needed a lot of fixing..
https://i.imgur.com/v6mbsvw.jpg
And after a significant amount of prep work, the painting could finally begin. Louis works late so many mornings I’ve been delighted to awake to various pictorial updates. These were some of my favorites!
https://i.imgur.com/zRBJwyb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UvPGEYI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/itPAdcy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bVTEytR.jpg
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Six weeks without driving Benny had me hankering for some forced induction, low set, extra grip and thankfully Louis was just about finished. I never once put pressure on a deadline and asked only that he take the utmost care with the job. These came through in the final days as it was all coming together!
https://i.imgur.com/DVPyR7a.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/l100CZu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FQNck0r.jpg
So at 5pm last last night, Eldest son and I packed into the family Truckster to tackle the 50 mile trip on LA’s mostly empty roads mostly maintaining our social distancing while enjoying each other’s company on the journey to bring Benny back home. (Thank god mechanics and car shops are considered essential services).
The drive home happened while the sun was setting and it felt so good to be back behind the wheel. Tank was nearly drained so stopped for a fill up and couldn’t help but notice how amazing the depth of the color was on Benny’s clean clean sides.
https://i.imgur.com/hS5s9WE.jpg
And then finally tucked away, safe at home.
https://i.imgur.com/652DnsH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cwe9YX0.jpg
I stayed up until the wee hours tinkering but mostly a whole lot of just appreciating. Appreciating Louis’ work, my good forture for how this build has come together, everything my brother stood for to me and what a fitting tribute this continues to be, the amazing friends I’ve met through this Roadster and right now, particular appreciation for our health and safety. With the way things seem to continue escalating I have no shortage of things I’ve been wanting to tackle and with Benny in the garage I’m looking forward to putting some time in.
The details that never came through in pictures were always very apparent to me. The subtle mis-match of almost every single panel. The cracks in the wing and rusted bolts. 31 years of minor door dents from careless parking lot mishaps. Etc. The pictures will never do it justice but I am so very pleased with how this has all turned out. For those of you that are curious? Never once considered changing color. To me Benny will always be a Mariner, just like that unusual color that imprinted such a strong memory back in February 1989.
Time now to get Benny’s clothes back on.
For now I sincerely hope that you and yours are all safe and well.
Thanks Peter for always taking the time to share these beautiful stories with us! As commented on social media, Benny looks weirdly wonderful even in this half-naked state, but much more gorgeous with the new clothes on!
And I feel your pain as it regards rare JDM parts. Prices have more than doubled the past 3-4 years I am in this game; makes me regret selling off some of my stuff.
Too good. Hood looks perfect.
σας ευχαριστώ Harry!! Thanks to MR.Net we've had plenty of experience of social distancing while sharing our Roadster stories. I for one really appreciate how active you still are on the forum!
Thanks Drew, very very happy with how it's all worked out. Hope you and the family are safe and well!
I´ve seen through the posts here - it´s very nice to read and I like the pictures. They create a good atmosphere of roadster life.
The project is coming along nicely. The latest parts are beautiful and many know the feeling of surfing through yahoo in the evening,
seeing old parts and clarifying the shipping after the purchase and eagerly awaiting the package.
Sometimes it takes years to find the part you were looking for, but you know that the daily search was worth it.
In relation to the side skirts, I wonder why they are always called rs skirts. From 94 onwards, they were regularly available as accessories.
Thank you for the MPS concept book/picture. I wonder what Mazda thought about the ugly rear bumper. :fp:
Yeah, Pete has a way with words. I love reading this thread.
Needless to say, cool wing, cool hood, cool car, cool dude. I'm so glad that wing ended up in the right hands.
Danke, appreciate the complements! Since those side skirts came on the Japanese RS model that's why I've always referred to them as such. Didn't realize they were an option more readily available. I wonder if that was Europe only or Japan and North America as well.
Interestingly the MPS concept brochure came from Germany with the mazda.de url on the back page. I'm not sure I dislike the rear bumper as much (some images I've seen of the D-Technique TD-1001R make it look quite decent). I have heard others complaints about the NC-eque wheel arches but I don't mind those either.
Apologies in advance but right now I can't help myself with taking and sharing pics despite the fact Benny hasn't left the garage since his return. All I've done is removed the tint from the side windows, installed the hood struts and swapped out the rear tow hook (didn't realize getting to the front one with the FM intercooler was going to be so hard). Haven't put the replacement LevRimiter roundels back on or any of the other livery. I also have a set of orange lenses for the turn signals but apparently I have to bake the housings to separate the clear lenses. I haven't even done a test fit of the other trunks but happy to enjoy those tweaks more slowly and savor the process...
https://i.imgur.com/jHegExk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lsX9svm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uh1uSTt.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ACENurJ.jpg
I looked again and took a picture. If it´s not ok I´ll take it out. It is the same in the 94/8, 95/9 and 96/12 shop options.
As far as I know it was Japan only. At least I don´t know anything else.
The mps brochure is from the introduction of the mps concept at the auto show IAA 2001 in Frankfurt.
https://abload.de/img/img_20200328_112807e3ji6.jpg
I can't get enough of this car.
Took the liberty of swapping your lenses for you.
https://i.imgur.com/uVLu8X3.png
I like the orange a lot ;)
I did a most excellent job of procrastinating on swapping out the orange lens and switching the turn indicator for the running light (after Maksim adeptly convinced me with his rendering that was the right way to do it).
Instead the weekend held some social distancing at our own Cars and Coffee thought it just wasn’t the same without KINOD or other friends from the Roadster tribe.
https://i.imgur.com/UvEx643.jpg
Updated the passenger quarter window ahead of getting the full livery back on. For some reason I’m having a hard time covering up the clean clean sides, free of all the little dents and blemishes that had been accumulated over the years…
https://i.imgur.com/dqB8BRX.jpg
Swapped out the red rear Rokyu Rob tow hook and black Garage Star front for this matching set I scored from CMP
https://i.imgur.com/7hiRPYX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rAEfKla.jpg
And then tried out the different spoiler options
https://i.imgur.com/qWv7ljz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WhQwk3e.jpg
Made me realize how much I actually love the Mazdaspeed one as well as how spoiled I am.
How did you create the brushed finish on the Mazdaspeed A-Spec aluminum adjustable spoiler blade?
Mine is painted and I will want to take it back to the aluminum.
Thanks, and love all your story telling & pictures.
Appreciate the complements, thanks! The A-spec wing came like that when I got it. I only replaced the rusted bolts that held the wing on to the side supports with stainless steel ones.
For the Zoom wing it was a lot of sanding to get the discolouration sorted from the underside.
Beautiful exterior rejuvenation for Benny!
The gold tow hooks pop nicely with the Star Sharks.
Apologies for the thread hijack Peter!
Best way to do that would be by (carefully) using some paint stripper to get the paint off. Sand a bit if needed with some 180-grit sandpaper in one direction only. Switch over to 3M (I think red) scrub pads and do the same, just pay attention to the direction. You can practice on a scrap piece of aluminum first to get used to the process. They also sell scrub pad attachments for power tools but you need to be extra careful. I think Vaho did a great job with his door panels using an angle grinder with such an attachment.
Oh, and I very much prefer the Mazdaspeed over the other options too :)
I'm not sure how I managed to miss this thread for over 4 years now. Despite even being mentioned after you got the Cafe Roadster sticker. Better late than never I guess?
I've spent the past few days catching up on this thread from the beginning and it was well worth the read. This thread, your roadsters, you, and your family are something special. I really loved your cars before, but I have an appreciating for it all that I didn't have before.
The turn signals on the Barchetta bumper can be heated up in an oven enough to soften the glue. That way you can separate the lens from the housing safety without cutting or breaking.
I also really dig your Mazdaspeed spoiler. Sorta boyish in how large it is, but in the most fun way possible. It works.
and that "issue 1" style Road&Ster sticker is super cool too.
:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:
Glad you found some entertainment here and didn't tire of all the context :). To me the stories of our cars and our journey's is what I've loved most about MRNet and all the Roadster nuts I've been fortunate enough to meet around the world.
I remember you telling me about the oven trick though still nervous about over-cooking them. The fit in the bumper itself has also never been great, any tricks for that?
Totally agree with you on the MS spoiler. I originally got it as a guilty pleasure.. I feel too old to rice out like that but the scale of it still makes me grin every single time I see it.
BTW: I'm still rocking the Cafe Roadster sticker with pride as a happy acknowledgement of the nice surprises this tribe has brought.
No real tricks or anything. Mine isn't the absolute best fitting either. I've been looking some sort of homemade support for the center of the bumper and using a radiator cooling panel to help cover the impending mess. I'll make sure to update you with what I end up settling on.
Seriously, thank you for still rocking it. Those stickers mean a lot to me as something I created. I sorta like their my dumb little child. They might be goofy to everyone else, but I sure do love them. :teehee::teehee::teehee: I've actually been working on some new designs. I'll make sure to get some out to you once I get the designs finalized and figure out a way to print them. More vintage English/Japanese styling to come!
:japaneseflag::britishflag:
Hey Nic, I actually meant the lights themselves. Bumper ended up fitting after I removed the USDM support as you'd suggested (I guess it was molded to fit the smaller JDM one?)
Anyways, love my Roadster Cafe sticker, looking forward to seeing what's next both with your next sticker art as well as Shin Kaeru. heh
PS: now that I'm reminded that you housed your turn signals on the outside not as convinced Maksim is right. Hopefully once I figure out the right baking instructions and figure out a way to mount the lenses securely to the bumper will be able to try out both paths :)
Oh my. Seeing all these paint shop pix!!!! Makes me want to get the Cappuccino in for paint ASAP.
Benny looks incredible. I think your hood may have come out smoother than mine!!
I remember following Sharka's repaint and the details you shared about how exciting that journey was! I never got the chance to participate given how far away Louis' shop is but loved the updates! Hood is pretty smooth but you'll have to see for yourself when we finally get past this quarantine phase!! And Cap? Is he destined to become a white striped Montego beaut or keep his original color?
So happy for you pete! Benny looks better than ever!!
Also while you use your fancy MS wing I guess I need to hang onto your Zoom.
Benny is looking better than ever!!:slayer::frantic: Congrats Pete!
Such a incredible build that in my opinion is a legendary Roadster for sure! Not just because of the cool parts, etc. but because of the history, sentiment and how you pay homage to all those that have contributed in one way or another to the build and none of the self absorbed, look at me and obnoxious attitude some have. :bow: Keep up the great work sir!:popcorn:
What an incredible read and a fantastic story!
Such a great read and inspiration, makes me want to fix my own roadster.
To me, the Mazdaspeed wing always looked too heavy and unbalanced with the top down and since Mrs. R and I were contemplating some open air drives to get some fresh air while practicing safe social distancing I swapped the trunk over to the one with the Zoom engineering wing.
https://i.imgur.com/Wr1bf2b.jpg
Mrs. R and my first “Zoom” meeting was a welcome break from the Zoom calls looking at multiple colleagues during Work from Home. The most fun I’ve had on Zoom was the KINOD call we had on Friday that Garret set-up. Much laughter and wonderful camaraderie as usual.
Requisite first stop to ensure there was a full tank of gas and obligatory snap followed by the only other stop that might have had people around (yes, gloves and masks in both instances)
https://i.imgur.com/ooQ43JC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jFYeKan.jpg
On Sunday we decided to escape and drive the couple hundred miles to Lake Hughes and back to take in the incredible spring blooms of poppies. The views did not disappoint nor did the opportunity to get behind the wheel and enjoy the windy roads up through Angeles National Forest
https://i.imgur.com/X0ajqcQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OcunxGS.jpg
Oh, and finally reapplied my “livery”. Maksim kindly sent off a larger set of the Okamoto Rubber Product Company stickers and I reverted back to the 20” roundel thanks to Adam.
Hope you and yours are all staying safe, sane and well!
That hat. So cool.
Even if you may not be able to enjoy it as usual in these times, it looks like a nice trip.
Have been hearing so many similar stories since shelter in place where every day feels like ground hog day for many working from home. Weekends and weekdays blur. Kids' homeschooling feels more like an extended summer break where parents are preserving their sanity by relaxing the usual rules on video game time, bed time, et al. The weekend evening pajamas and the work day pajamas have become pretty much the same thing. So I decided I needed to try something different and took Friday off with the goal of not joining the raft of Webex calls but to tackle something different. "Vacation" is a strange concept when every day feels the same but it actually didn't. I *knew* it was Friday, I knew others were working and I wasn't. I was finally stopping the excuses and procrastination to take on something I'd wanted to do for, well, for a few years...
When I got my Barchetta bumper it came with four clear lenses so after some digging around and help from friends I learned 1) the lenses are the same as old Mini's which Moss also stocks replacements for (p/n 115-534 CDU3374 for the amber ones if anyone is curious) and 2) the lenses can't be removed from the housing easily. Nic informed me the trick was to put them in the oven and bake them off. That sounded risky. Like what if the plastic heated to the exact right temperature to let off chemicals that would poison the whole family?! What if it melted the bases entirely when I haven't yet been able to figure out a suitable replacement?!?! What if I just messed it up entirely? Yep, lots of excuses. Enough of that so I set the toaster oven to 250 (easier to put it right beside the window), timer set for five minutes and waited. When the buzzer went, I opened the door and was horrified at what I saw. The lenses were bubbling and soft to the gloved touch. I think I went too far. The base of one of the lenses had softened and was slightly misshapen. Damn. The first lens could be coaxed away but the second was immovable. Back in it went. 30 second intervals. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. Finally, the first small victory as I had managed to get them apart!
https://i.imgur.com/79BrkKK.jpg
Next the base that had softened wouldn't accept the bulb housing. After about forty minutes of sanding and testing and tweaking and more testing I finally persuaded it to get back to a more normal state to accept the light fixture! (I was honestly sweating bullets the whole time that it may been irreversible).
The final decision was whether the turn signals should be on the inside or outside. It can be an aesthetic debate but I've seen plenty of examples of cars that look great going either route. The decision was made as a throwback to a functional purpose. What I use as day time running lights also serve as an analogue to the old British practice of requiring dim outside bulbs to denote the width of the car.
It took much longer than it should have but I'm so pleased with such a small modification and probably a little that I finally stopped making excuses...
https://i.imgur.com/CkF9Qhg.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/dUy6n0R.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/3nasWNO.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/J8vGDPn.jpg
Now let's see if that motivation extends to the Garagestar frame rails that have been sitting in my garage for nearly four years.
Stay safe and well!
Dang, your lenses took a considerable amount more work to get separated. Your lenses must have had better adhesive or something, because mine came apart after just a few minutes in the oven at a fairly low temperature.
Well worth the effort on your part. The amber lenses look really great and makes me think of the Higashi Bankin rotary Kenmari.(which happens uses the same lenses as our bumpers) Good look overall! :drinkto:
The frame rails are worth the effort installing. They really make a noticeable difference with overall rigidity. They're especially noticeable when leaving or entering a driveway.
Hopefully I could provide a little bit more motivation. :P
It's honestly a little shocking such a thoroughly and well modded Miata is lacking reinforced frame rails.
Get'er done!
Definitely like the amber additions! Sorry it didn't go so smoothly. :(
In my experience with "baking" plastic to separate lenses I went with 200-220F and that was headlights and taillights so I would think something smaller with thinner plastic I wouldn't go over 200F(I'd try 180-190F). Also I think a oven with more area and where the item isn't as close to the heat source would be better, just a thought. A little too late but may help others.:drinkto:
Frame rails are definitely worth the effort and honestly don't think installation is that bad unless your factory rails are mangled. Frame rails and fender braces are the two must have braces for the NA/NB, imo.
Thanks gents, all sound advice on what I'd have done differently on baking the lenses if I were to do it again - lower temp, bigger oven!
As many local roadster friends know, my driveway is unforgiving. In fact, my ride height was determined as the lowest it could be to get my car in with limited scrape-age. That and LA's tortuous speed bumps has meant the rails have also seen a lot of action. But then again, I've used those excuses for too long. Maybe rails will actually help the car clear the driveway because there's less flex! Thanks for the push. Every testament on their transforming effects and your encouragement has now motivated me enough to stop procrastinating on this project too! Unfortunately I didn't read these until now so will have to be next weekend ;).
We won’t stop till Benny gets frame rails!
Amber looks good! Piece of advice on the rails installation; use 4 jackstands and lift the car in a flat (or as flat as possible) floor (which is what we should be doing regardless) to avoid twisting the chassis.
Woke up this morning to a prompt from a friend to check out Instagram where I was greeted by an illustration of Benny by Elizaveta Panina (@lizasmantis). She's a Miata owner and design student from Russia (https://www.behance.net/LizavetaPa)
I had no idea she was doing it so pretty fantastic to start my day with this...
https://i.imgur.com/dgdCy7d.jpg
Oh my, that looks gorgeous
This post is going to be about the lost art of patience, and the virtue of patience. You will likely need a healthy dose of patience to make it through my ramblings (at least there’s still the ability to scroll and just look at the pictures ;).
Going back to last fall, I was blessed by a spectacular JCCS weekend and in particular the many Roadster celebrations and joys of connecting with friends both local and those travelling in from the Pacific North West, Northern California and Florida. I decided I needed to go back and reflect on the fun we had… https://mazdaroadster.net/showthread...l=1#post232814
You may remember that Corifto had figured out a way to make it here to join in on the fun. There are two things you need to know about Corey. 1. He has a massive heart and 2. He loves nothing more than making the impossible happen. On this particular trip that actually extended beyond trying to cover my ass by getting the slow cooker going as I hit snooze a second or third time after the 5am wake-up call. It’s taken some self-control to save the rest of that story until now.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Watanabe put out an interesting post on their IG feed that came up in a call with Corey.
https://i.imgur.com/Cyk8OSe.png
Star Sharks were always my dream wheels but nearly rivalled by my love of the iconic shape of Watanabes. They looked so exceptional on Roadsters from Ueru to Woolery to Brian. My hankering for Sharks never went away and compared to the SSR’s they were a completely different approach to style and performance. A perfect complement in fact and a 50% discount could just maybe make the justification a bit easier. Likely a moot point as the likelihood of getting the cars there, setting up and being among the first 5 was a pipe dream. Corey? Of course he took that as a challenge. Once down in Long Beach and past the holding pen, we were directed to our spots while the vendors were still setting up their displays. Corey parked the Sunburst and bolted to where he thought he’d seen Watanabe setting up. I was certain that wouldn’t get anywhere and got to setting up the folding chairs and the canopy for some shade.
I’m not 100% sure Watanabe were completely on board with the “first five” including participants nor were they ready to take any information, etc, etc. To Corey I’m sure those just sounded like excuses and obstacles that could somehow be overcome. I know he showed them a pictures of Benny and probably shared some story or other to convince them I was a legitimate and deserving candidate. Whatever his approach I’m certain he let it be known he wasn’t leaving without a yes and sometime after he returned, handed me a business card and said I should already have an email from Tom.
Seriously, true story.
One week later, on September 28th in fact, I made my payment to the US distributor that would get this process moving. The expectation was that these would take longer than their standard wheels so should expect four to five months for them to be delivered. How could I complain, I was actually going to have Watanabe’s for Benny!
I checked at the end of January and got some indication it should be fairly soon though no clarity on when. The same thing in February. And in March. At this point I felt it was fair to press for an actual targeted completion date but had no success with that. The only assurances I got were that they would let me know as soon as they were shipped and I should get them approximately a week later. It was the end of April meaning seven full months and I still had no idea what was happening. COVID’s impact on shipping was likely a new wrinkle to navigate. I had to give myself a stern talking to about patience and to put this in context of what was going on int the world around us. So much to be thankful for. Patience. Just needed to be patient.
On Monday afternoon I was waiting for the delivery of an oversized package. I saw the UPS driver walk up to the house, knock on the door, wave and go on his merry way. When I opened the door I was perplexed. Two boxes that were a lot larger than what I was expecting though seemed about the right weight of my other shipment. As it was a local shipment the JDM marking on the box was confusing so opened them up and pulled out two slightly smaller boxes that were inside…
https://i.imgur.com/pFA3UMf.jpg
I was baffled. Excited but completely baffled. Wait.. what? How?! The last thing in the world I expected was a surprise delivery.
Before even opening the boxes I had to check the specs to ensure there was no disappointment once I got inside…
https://i.imgur.com/JA1N5Yg.jpg
I couldn’t read the offset but all the other markings stacked up. Type R? Check. 4 x 100? Check. 8.5”? Check (since -13 are the standard offset for 8.5 felt pretty certain that would be correct). Magnesium? Check! Now that was always the dream. In this spec they weigh in at 4.8kg each vs 6.9kg for Aluminum. Unsprung weight saving and all but to translate, 10.6lb vs 15.2 is a pretty massive difference.
Opening the boxes and a chance to inspect all four wheels. I’d never seen the magnesium wheels in real life but had really hoped they would look like this in the flesh. They call it “Mug”. It’s not bronze. Definitely not gold. Not brown. Just Mug I guess. I absolutely love it, even more than I had expected.
https://i.imgur.com/nPUQPcI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NCzhWGc.jpg
16 black Watanabe lug nuts were all there and in the right sizes. Four valve stems and four center caps? Check and check!
I had to wait til the next morning to call our local tire shop who were thrilled to have some business and shortly after a number of R888 225/50 and 205/55’s were on their way. They arrived the same day but restricted hours meant I would have to wait until the next morning to get them mounted, (road force) balanced and an alignment. This morning in fact. I could certainly be patient enough to wait another day even if just barely, right?
I was there when they opened their doors at 8am with eldest son bringing the family hauler to carefully transport the new wheels. We left them in safe hands with my preferred alignment specs and a technician that has never once tried to convince me to try something different.
https://i.imgur.com/rO2iV5s.jpg
I scheduled a break from meetings around the time they were promised with a little buffer on either side. I knew I would need to take a slightly longer route home before getting back to the calls. I also knew I would want some time to just ogle them. When we got there the contrast against the blue paintwork looked fantastic to me. Benny looked like an entirely different animal. The specs are very very close (only the 5 offset difference between -8 and -13) but the simpler design in darker monochrome vs the polished barrels and the intricacy of the Sharks could not be more different.
When I pulled into the drive I was excited about the very last step. Installing the center caps!! To me they are the perfect finishing touch to Watanabe’s and I love the red accent. And then? They wouldn’t fit. Several attempts and some measuring. It seemed center bore of the Mg’s was 60mm and this style of center cap came in 63 or 70. Rather than be impatient and try to persuade one in with a rubber mallet I felt it was better to leave them as they sat and wait to hear back from the experts. It really didn’t matter though as it was so amazing to see how they transformed the car and maybe only a placebo effect but I could swear they felt lighter during my brief seat time.
https://i.imgur.com/x8t90Ev.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NWZOXjh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/36YB5U4.jpg
Now before anyone asks, the Sharks are not for sale. Actually, will never be for sale. If you really want a set, load up with a healthy dose of patience and keep an eye out. A set of 4x100 will likely come up even if you have to wait few years like I did . I have assured my beloved Sharks they will not be forgotten. I even shod them in brand new R888’s at the same time since it was a bit overdue but also as I wanted to show them some love. The polish will be taken out this weekend so I can do good by their barrels.
https://i.imgur.com/BvEcslS.jpg
I’m going to wait to post any updates on Instagram because, well, patience. The immediate gratification crowd can wait. I wanted to share with you first and if you’ve read this far, I appreciate your patience. I hadn’t meant to ramble but something about this journey of fulfilling my roadster ambitions always comes back to this group helping me define them in the first place.
As a final point on patience? I have failed. I didn’t take the time to wash the car. I didn’t drive it somewhere special. I didn’t wait until the centers had been replaced with ones that fit. I was impatient to share my excitement with all of you. I hope you can forgive me.
Love you, xoxo
Wheel porn! I absolutely LOVE the Wats, Pete! They are the perfect wheel for these cars, and if I could manage a set without flares that worked with my brakes and setup, I'd gladly pay the price.
-Matt
My goodness they look spectacular! And they are magnesium!!:slayer: 14s just look so right!!:bow:
they look better without center caps IMO. looks amazing!
Can never go wrong with Wats, and Mg is icing on the cake. I wouldn't have been able to pass up that deal either, amazing all around.
also really cool how the stamp is on the spoke. must be an older mold they used, the newer models always have the three falcons by the lug holes
Thanks Matt! Wheels can really and completely transform how a car looks. Just like shoes. At least that's what I explained to Mrs. R (I'm just teasing, she is a saint, honestly).
Watanabe will machine them to accommodate bigger brakes (they were reluctant however for Mg) but you could also do that and step up to 15's? I suppose given what you're putting under the hood, guessing you'll want 8.5. 9 or even 10's to keep the power on the ground and wtihout flares, those kind of offsets won't come from them.
Thank you Chad, very much appreciated!
Thanks Drew, appreciated and honestly not going to disagree with a word you said. :)
Bo... :bow: It turns out the Mg wheels have the 60mm bore (aluminum in 63 or 70) so the only caps that work are the more subtle ones. A set is already en route so hopefully will see if I can convince you soon:
Attachment 22036
Because of that and some other differences, apparently the Mg wheels use a different mold and since they're not made very often they still have the original logo placement. A nice little detail I was quite pleased to discover.
Great choice my friend! I love watanabes, actually I have a set laying in the garage for 2 months, waiting to be installed because I wanted to lower the car before and to put on a R front lip. The lip came broken from ilmotorsport so I had to wait more for a replacement :D
Congrats again, you know my true love for sharks, but watanabes are a never aging classic!
P.S. I like them without caps as well ;)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9120b2c46b.jpg
Wow! Guess patience pays off then, right? These are my dream spec Wats, 14's look awesome, in particular in aggressive offsets and as wide as these. And they are magnesium, which makes them even more special. Now you own two of my most beloved wheels...kind of jealous! And thanks for sharing the journey with us, really makes us appreciate what it takes to get there. Enjoy!!
P.S. I kind of prefer the hex caps. This is what I (occasionally) run on mine as well, but I like the "bare" look as well. If you want to make them seem more finished, you can machine 4 aluminum caps that are recessed and get fitted from the inside out so it looks like a hub cap.
Pete, is the ET of Wats the same as the Sharks one?
This is amazing. I love the look, the Mg, the... everything. One of my favorite roadsters on a set of my favorite wheels. Gotta see it in person someday!
Your driveway is indeed torturous. I will say, the Sunburst was much easier than Bucky was a few years ago.
They look right at home on Benny, and as much as I would love to swindle those Sharks, I'm glad you're keeping them! All in all, well worth the very little effort it took to have a conversation at the Watanabe booth.
Gosh, I want a set of Wats so bad. I think I am even willing to part with my extra pair of Lotus seats and brackets for a set. They look awesome!
Contrags Pete! Lovely wheels and really suit Benny!
So under a year since we visit Watanabe in Japan, and now there is a set on your car, nice work :8):
Wow, and even though I own 14" MTE37 I still feel the desire to own a set of Watanabe's in the future. Absolutely beautiful!
Can’t wait to see them on the Sunburst, I am more than certain that lowered, with an R lip and Wats is going to look amazing!
Always so kind, thanks Harry. I always hope I wouldn’t make anyone feel too jealous but even moreso that no one is resentful. Building out my Roadsters has never been about bragging rights but simply fueled by passion for these cars, the JDM heritage and the connections that’s built with so many of you! xoxo
*blush*. Thanks my friend. You know you are very welcome to visit any time you’re able to come back stateside! I mean, LA could be a stopover on your way home to Texas, right? Always enjoy our “conversations” and can’t wait to see your NB video soon
Correction, there are THREE things you need to know about Corey. He likes making the impossible, possible. And then dismisses any effort that it took to pull it off!
Extra wheels for me beats extra seats! Haha
Thanks Ben-san. Crazy to think that flying to Japan and attending Karuizawa feels like such an impossibility in the current climate. Our trip to Watanabe and seeing their little operation (and interrupting our slightly perturbed host who humored our enthusiasm and still left us with some stickers and brochures) even further fueled my admiration and love of Watanabe’s roots.
Thanks. MTE’s are amazing but also feel like Wats would be an exceptional complement. Best of both modern brilliance and heritage but I would say that…
Less talk, more photos!
Jeeez....
https://i.imgur.com/wWuLEP7.jpg
And actually I'm really glad you did nag. Actually looking at the picture I realized my "idea" to line up the sticker with the bottom part of the mounting plate looked ass and so still had time to move it before the glue had set in. Now flush with the end plate. For those that prefer the first approach? I'm not listening...
:blaugh2:
https://i.imgur.com/ticjEBo.jpg
Looks great both ways!
Awesome wheel choice. Suits the car perfect. The sticker is spot on. :8):
Benny's Wats look FANTASTIC!
I adore that sticker placement. And damn I want one of those wings.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Vielen Dank!
Cheers Brian! I know you're understandably a little partial and thanks to you, Jazz provided a ton of inspiration
Thank you my friend. Was great to see you at KINOD tonight even if there was a lotta chatter. :). More than this time last year and we ate better too!
Obviously haven’t had the chance to enjoy KINOD’s camaraderie since shelter in place. It’s been great to connect on the Friday night Zoom calls but not the same. The 80 mile weekly pilgrimage and congregating around our cars is such an essential part so I decided I needed to try something different. Puppers was ecstatic since he joins me every Friday and we hadn’t been out for a good long drive in ages..
https://i.imgur.com/dD3MJQV.jpg
On the way to City of Industry, I realized I hadn’t been on a freeway for over six weeks. No reason, nowhere to go, right? The drive was incredible. Not the six lanes of open freeway but Benny felt completely different on the road. The combination of lighter wheels, fresh rubber, alignment, and roadforce balancing (first time the shop’s machine was working) meant we were more planted than ever. There was no 60mph shimmy, or 70 or at any speed at all! Oh happy days!
Night drives with the top down when the air is totally comfortable is divine. The wind blowing, open sky and basking in the warm glow of the gauges.
https://i.imgur.com/Mru32HL.jpg
I got there in record time so decided I should pay tribute to the three core elements of KINOD’s namesake. Krispy Kreme.. In-N-Out… and Drive. The lineup for the KK drive through was preposterous so took a rain check.
https://i.imgur.com/yKXGHtt.jpg
The lineup at In-N-Out wasn’t much better but since I hadn’t had second supper yet I was prepared to wait.
https://i.imgur.com/9CkVX81.jpg
On the way to the final stop I had to drop by MJ’s parking lot where we usually meet. Something about all the abnormal emptiness that is equal parts calming and unnerving.
https://i.imgur.com/kV3lKM3.jpg
There was just enough time for a blast down Colima road and back before showing up at Jon B and Garrett’s house for the 9:30 call. Jon’s old Datsun truck was parked in the garage with a couple huge pails stacked with a laptop on top dialed in to Zoom. We kept our six feet but it definitely felt more like a car meet especially with a covered FD on the drive, Jon’s newly running NA beside it, his NC and Garrett’s BRG on the road. I was so distracted I didn’t think to snap even a single pic.
Timezones, not geography, is the new limiting factor but that didn’t stop Corey in Florida, Pedro in Texas or Charlie in New Hapshire. Josh had rung in from New Zealand but it was already 4:30 pm on Saturday. Chris Knight also joined and Woolery, Sonny, Dustin, Ryoku Rob and a few others.
Same old laughter and incredibly broad range of topics that always makes KINOD a delight followed by the return drive home and a sense of Roadster Tribe contentment I needed.
If KINOD is on Zoom I could probably make it!:teehee: Very cool. I sure miss having Chris on the forums! Please tell her she is sorely missed by many in the community! Y'all even got Rob to make a appearance, I'm impressed indeed!
KINOD Zoom was definitely a good time, and I didn't have to travel across the country to attend! I just had to stay up late lol.
When I went in for paint I was torn between color matching the MS hardtop or leaving it the original black. I'd been enjoying the contrast and wouldn't have been able to un-do it so left it alone. That posed the next question of whether or not I should paint the windshield surround to match. Again undecided (didn't know if I'd run the Mariner OEM top) so decided blue was safe. I wasn't sure up until the day before paint but a friend convinced me I could wrap it in vinyl. Black vinyl was ordered and finally on Saturday night I stayed up late learning why specialists command the premiums they do for a quality wrap.
Not bad top down but missed the blue...
https://i.imgur.com/Q5BRhlB.jpg
Better with the hardtop back on...
https://i.imgur.com/3gtgGrT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FL00I1c.jpg
Unfortunately at this point it was academic because while I was getting the vinyl under the windshield trim I ripped a whole section. Atleast it gave me an idea of what it could look like.
Also today, UPS delivered another package that not all of you will appreciate. The replacement set of 60mm Watanabe center caps were shipped out the moment I let them know I had the wrong ones. To me, these are perfect. For those that prefer the wheels without? I promise to remove them when you're visiting SoCal so as not to offend...
https://i.imgur.com/7rh126G.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EZ7RHRb.jpg
Hope you and yours are still safe, sane and well.
If you are keeping a tally, here's one more vote for the caps. Love 'em.
Caps look really good IMO, but be warned. They can fall out of the wheel. The problem seems to be localized to a single wheel that just doesn't like to keep hold of the center cap. That stubborn wheel spat a cap out while driving and now the caps lost somewhere on the streets of Houston. Met the same fate as my M2 mudflap extension. All of my favorite little parts seem to find their way off my car. :cry2:
Just be careful and proudly rock the caps!
Yeah, will second that. I had the passenger side front flying off last summer while driving back home (it was night time with no lights around). Might sound funny, but felt it falling off; I think it was a combination of feeling it through the steering wheel and hearing something. So I stopped, checked, saw it was missing, then walked 150m to retrieve it. Have been pondering around a positive retention mechanism since, involving drilling holes in one of the "legs" and add a pop rivet.
Jeez Pete, Benny is looking way to cool! Was finally able to read 3 pages worth of updates.
Since Benny took over the garage spot he's been saved from LA's birds, pollen and dust. That meant tonight was the first wash since the respray (normally a weekly ritual). It was after dinner and everyone at home was busy so gave me the chance for a little drive to dry off the remaining droplets and to seek out an empty parking garage for a photo or two...
https://i.imgur.com/VhS2t9t.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I2atnxN.jpg
(ok, so maybe a few more than two.. ooh, and look there. I missed a spot on the bottom edge of the bumper. shhh)
https://i.imgur.com/ivBIioZ.jpg
I am most definitely sold on the center caps (thanks for the support and the caution around losing them.. will keep my ear out).
https://i.imgur.com/Iq6qKCz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/e4JXeJK.jpg
Rounding it out with the drive home I ended up with the ever common reflections on all the hard things that have happened so far this decade and all those impacted. I feel so lucky to have had so many welcome distractions courtesy of this project and the camaraderie and support of Roadster friends from all around the world.
https://i.imgur.com/gB3dJ2Y.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/U1GSlUm.jpg
I really truly hope you and yours and theirs are safe, well and hanging in there.
Flat caps > cone caps.
Good call on the Mariner windshield and then black wrap for the MS top. Creates 2 completely different looks. I'm sure like everything it'll get easier the next time.
those wheels are insane!!! and all that meaty tire is super sexy man, keep up the great work, this car looks like it came straight out of a Road&Ster book from the 1990's!!
You might want to pop off your center caps, add a bit of silicone adhesive (clear or black) to the inner edge of those caps, and pop them back on. Sharka's caps are a bit loose and are held on the same way. No issues with them falling off or being able to remove them when it's new tire time.
And also - drool. I've had a set of Watanabe caps and their branded lug nuts for years now, just waiting to find the right set of wheels. I'm super jealous.
Ha, appreciated Randy. Given the inspiration from both here and my old Roadster magazines I take that as a massive complement. I've been dreaming about finding a HyperRev license plate like they use(d) in their editorial shoots to put on. If anyone knows somewhere that can make stamped (vs. printed) plates, let me know!Attachment 22075
:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow: :bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:
If anyone deserves wonderful things for their Roadster, it is most definitely you my friend. I hope you find a suitable set soon!
Another Friday, another drive out to City of Industry with puppers to join "KINOD". Mostly an excuse to stretch our legs and have a change of scenery. Parked up at G+J's to join the convo. It misses the varied side bar conversations but still carries the core elements of the massive range of topics covered and no shortage of laughter.
https://i.imgur.com/kI97vqj.jpg
I need to capture some better pictures of Jon's NC. The color, Mazdaspeed body kits and NA rear lights is spectacular. First NC I ever actually fell for TBH.
https://i.imgur.com/wVZ7nhN.jpg
I decided to make my way home but checked in with Zoom when I got here and of course it was still going on. I think we talked until 2.
https://i.imgur.com/1ZUJiao.jpg
Thankfully we're still able to get out for drives and no shortage of incredible views around here.
https://i.imgur.com/zfBHgjo.jpg
Very little errands right now but had to pick-up dinner so parked up and got the mask on to go interact with someone other than Jen or our three boys. Still happens every single time that I can't help turn around for one quick appreciative glance.
https://i.imgur.com/OpQuh9Z.jpg
I am enamored with the Wats and how its completely changed the feel of the car. More purposeful, simpler yet with such fantastic little details...
https://i.imgur.com/e6gKcdT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ls06SIb.jpg
Mrs. R and I have been trying to get out for break with a daily drive either along the Ocean or up to PV. Pre Shelter-in-place I typically left for work before anyone in the house was up and generally wasn't back home until 7:30 or 8:00. Ultimately that limited the amount of time I could connect with the family to brief interactions in the evening with the quality time left to the weekends. Being able to make time to connect throughout the day has created such a wonderfully, unexpected change to a new definition of work/ life balance. So good for the soul...
https://i.imgur.com/QM1SxEW.jpg
And because it was mother's day and we'd made her pancakes and sausages, I took the opportunity to finally deal with a minor annoyance that I've had with the Sunburst forever...
https://i.imgur.com/PbTUfjV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yHalzsd.jpg
Removing the OEM mudguards. For me, they are too hefty for the stock daisies. Much happier with this change. Also want to get around to color matching the stock Sunburst trunk I picked up so that the other annoyance (dealer installed luggage rack) can be addressed.
Making me miss the West Coast!
Also would you sell your mudguards?
YOU REMOVED THE MUDGUARDS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
(sentence in lower case)
WHYYYYYYYyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I got your back Adam.
...
And here I am looking for OEM or big rubber rally flaps like the Group B cars.
And while I'm still obsessing about the new wheels, I had to remind myself that their 10.6lb weight for 8.5's compares to daisies 5.5"'s at 12.3lb. Absolutely crazy!
Still weighing in above the RPF1's in 14x7 at 8.6lb but undercutting the Mk2's 12lbs. Wishing I'd weighed the Sharks before getting the rubber installed.
I have the rear mudguards and I'm looking for some oem front mudguards. I have the meat to go with them ;). I definitely need a set of wats in my future as a part of my roadster wheel collection. They just look spectacular on your roadster, one of my favorite builds hands down.
I can't get enough of this car man. It's would be right at home in a Road&Ster magazine from 20 years ago.
Zoom wing looked good from the beginning, but it just gets better and better.
Smog tests are an every 2 year right of passage in California and it was again Benny’s turn. I’ve never had a car that’s failed but the potential of not passing always stresses me out. This was my first since Flyin Miata installed the turbo kit so I had a bit more anxiety than usual. They opened the hood and immediately protested the fact it wasn’t remotely stock and asked how I thought this was going to pass. I pointed to the Carb sticker on the fire wall. They paused. And said, ok – go sit over there…
https://i.imgur.com/h29ihPw.jpg
The cars that arrived at the same time as mine had been long gone as had the group that followed them. The third set were finishing up their tests and stress was mounting. They called me over... Ugh. “How do you open the fuel lid so I can inspect the cap?” Phew.
The tester then backed out of the bay (all other cars are pulled forward) and signaled me over again. He said “you passed. Didn’t want to scrap the lip you know?” “So you do it yourself? Well that’s a profession job right there. Whoever did it has brains!”. He admitted part of the reason he took so long was there was so many details he couldn’t help checking out. I wasn’t even miffed. Flattered and relieved. I wasn’t ever doubting FM but left feeling even more appreciation for their work
I have an appointment with the BAR referee tomorrow on my engine swap. If it goes well, I can finally install the FM turbo I bought almost 2 years ago.
Wish I had the patience to document my builds like you have. I really like reading about what you are doing with your cars.
I’ve been concerned about COVID’s impact on some of the people that have taken care of us for years and was thinking how I could help. Business had really slowed at Integrated Performance so on top of an oil change I wanted to think of some extra work I could send their way.
Eldest son followed me for the drop off, a fuel up en route and taxiing me back home.
https://i.imgur.com/EhYZOyj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YeRqPpY.jpg
I remembered a couple things I hadn’t taken care of that they would be happy to tackle. Hard wiring my radar detector would remove the unsightly dangling cable plugged into the lighter + I’d already ordered the wire kit from Escort. And… FRAME RAILS! The GS rails that had sat in my garage for four years. The procrastination I’d been shamed about a few posts earlier ;). I know I’d have felt better about doing it myself but I wanted to give them some more business. And they have a lift!!
https://i.imgur.com/XxZzAht.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kBuVtgx.jpg
The impact was felt immediately. They scrape badly on the driveway but atleast its a smooth kind of scrape! Can’t believe I left this so long. On the drive home, Berg’s passenger window went down. Clunk sound. And then wouldn’t go back up. Seems I wouldn’t have to try particularly hard to find things to keep IP busy…
Dropped the green car off and got a call a couple hours later. Window sorted. As we were pulling up I noticed a clean looking red NA in the bay just behind…
https://i.imgur.com/bLnWUmp.jpg
There was a very much loved Roadster I’d never seen before. Reportedly owned by a Dr. in Beverly Hills. Great attention to detail. The vented hood looked fantastic and the tan leather roll bar cover matched the rest of the interior…
https://i.imgur.com/pykPxtX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4UZ3M6k.jpg
Didn’t recognize these seats but looked like they sat nice and low with solid side support
https://i.imgur.com/b47knrz.jpg
A lot of carbon and Snoopy red baron. And just when you think you’re done the work on your car, you spot a leather covered gauge hood and you start thinking…
https://i.imgur.com/VL8GUim.jpg
Friday night I drove out to Hermes to see Louis, pick up some more parts from paint and chat with a fellow car nut. Had to fill up en route which gave me pause to realise how utterly happy I am with a completely color matched car.
https://i.imgur.com/V9Gn9u9.jpg
Left for home in time to join the weekly KINOD zoom call which again carried on until late. Shelter in place has certainly highlighted the importance of connecting with people so was really appreciating these opportunities.
Feeling good about tackling things I’d put off, I decided there was something else I needed to stop procrastinating about. In all the years I’ve been going to KINOD there has been a distinct lack of merch. The OG come weekly with their hoodies and tshirts from eons ago but nothing new had been made forever. So I got the KINOD logo laid out and Marco’s Boyfriends against cancer tribute logo over to an embroidery shop. I wanted a hat. Minimum order was 12 so I picked a few styles and pulled the trigger. I wanted it to be a surprise but I also had been warned about the potential headaches of trying to please everyone’s tastes. If there was enough interest I could always do another run but this avoided trying to get everyone happy with a couple hat choices.
https://i.imgur.com/rOjCgvK.jpg
Hands went up quick and the first run were gone so I decided that Sunday morning I could get out for a drive, do some deliveries and have some brief visits (at a safe distance) with some of the KINOD folks I’m used to seeing weekly.
First stop was David Vu and then on to David Inge’s where I parked up next to his stunning 93LE while his 30AE was parked out front.
https://i.imgur.com/kapSuzR.jpg
Then to Bill Wilner’s (no pics). In fact, the only other pic I remembered to take was Justin’s Smurf and his newly acquired 240SX time capsule.
https://i.imgur.com/toOXAn9.jpg
Then to Matthew’s before ending up at MJ’s to meet Nam and Rick who had both driven up the 30 or so miles to collect their hats and Jon B who joined to make it feel a bit more like a mini KINOD. All done in time to head home and only about an hour late for lunch.
Sunday? Sunday was a very great day.
Laughed a lot with the "opening scene" of your inspection! And once more, thanks for taking us with you on the journey!
those tan leather seats in that red miata are actually nakamae, just a now discontinued model
The final thing I stopped procrastinating on recently was finally following Adam’s exceptional tutorial on how to refinish a steering wheel. The leather on the top of the Falcon had become sticky. And very cracked. I’d put it off worrying I’d mess up. Pretty much the same as all the projects I let languish. Since my wheels had come in I had to get this done to bring the RS Watanabe team back together. An extra-large bottle of Acetone was secured along with the recommended dye and top coat (though neither of those would come in to play for a loooooooong time). No exaggeration about the many gloves, much paper towel and copious amounts of Acetone. I went through 1.5 liters of the stuff. Garage door was open the whole time but still needed to take breaks to fully breath in pure fresh air. Adam quoted 3 hours. It took me closer to 4. I didn’t take any pictures of before but trust me, it didn’t feel good at all and looked kinda rough. Here it was in its raw state…
https://i.imgur.com/yMUWnb6.jpg
I ended up sanding with 2000 grit in the final pass. Since some of the texture came to the surface again after dying I also did a light sanding afterwards. Before another top up of dye I decided I should clean the leather from any leather dust I may have created. Guess what? When you wipe down a freshly dyed wheel with Isopropyl alcohol the dye comes off just like the old dye. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh. I couldn’t even imagine 3-4 more hours work. What had I done?!?!?!?! Well, the good news is that fresh dye comes off really easily and there’s no hard candy coating to deal with so quick work and back to our previously scheduled dye and top coat.
Thrilled with how it turned out. It’s such rich and smooth and fantastic. I don’t think I’d save time if I were to do it again (except for the mishap) but definitely an incredibly satisfying project.
https://i.imgur.com/0uaCKdg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oBPaWXc.jpg
It feels like a new wheel. It looks fantastic. I’m now convinced that 340mm is the perfect size wheel for me. I love the pd wheel for all the sentimental reason and will keep it and swap around for a change of scenery. That said, I have noticed that it’s 30+ year old leather is also looking a bit faded. Hmmmm….
PS: As an aside, I had absolutely no idea that since getting the Wats that the wheelcaps and sticker would have so many random people asking about the Star Wars references. Thankfully haven’t had any run ins with any Imperials yet.. this Rebel scum is probably best served keeping a low profile…
I don't know how I somehow missed all the BRG updates... but dang, Pete! The integrated/blended TSI front end may be my new favorite!
Wow, the steering wheel looks indeed brand new! Amazing work, and there's something really satisfying about restos, no matter what you restore. Kudos to you Pete!
As far as the star wars refs go, my younger sister had the exact same reaction when she first saw the Wats on the car. I guess you are glad you went with the hex caps, I think they match the Falcon horn button wonderfully!
It's funny, the KINOD guys have acknowledged that the BRG has really come along ways for something that was only intended to be a project car for eldest son and I to work on. It certainly benefited from a lot of great hand-me-downs and when son was off at college got regularly exercised for a change of pace. I've become a lot more attached to all three cars than I'd ever expected
Thanks Harry. It's true, doing something yourself is exponentially more satisfying. I'm particularly enjoying driving around again with the Falcon. I'm sure I'd also be appreciating the additional rigidity the frame rails added if I'd spent a hot afternoon under the car cursing and getting them in there ;).
Christopher, a friend from KINOD, also happens to be incredibly talent photographer. Like the kind with film cameras and everything. After I got Benny back from respray, the new wheels and sorting out some of the details I got an exciting message “I gotta shoot your car”. I immediately went back “Name a time/ place and I’ll be there.” It took a while to lock a time given shelter-in-place, work and life responsibilities, etc. Chris then reached out with an “awkward” question. He said Benny had been shot a lot and what he really dreamed of was shooting the Sunburst. I was so appreciative he was prepared to put in the time and effort on shooting, I was happy it was any of our Roadsters. On top I didn’t mind giving Mrs. R even more ammo about how stock was so superior to my “heavily modified” approach and that yellow was the best color and, and, and….
We met up in Longbeach and made our way south to Newport beach with many stops along the way.
Will let the pictures do the talking but ultimately the highlight was entirely around 1. The incredibly wonderful people I’ve gotten to know in this community 2. Safely visiting with some of those people and 3. Driving around and discovering new places makes for such a perfect way to spend a morning…
https://i.imgur.com/ZLR5gED.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rT6yDAs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1P9Qm49.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GJRHtCT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vvCQIgG.jpg
He also brought along his newly acquired 450SL, another classic roadster equally if not even more suited to Southern California
https://i.imgur.com/ZlfkDvS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WByPFay.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HzsUQFw.jpg
Contrary to what the lack of updates would suggest I haven’t in fact fallen off the face of the earth nor turned my back on all things Miati. Given COVID/ WFH we had decided that my wife and two youngest boys would drive up to Canada to spend a month or so living here so we could spend time with family and have a change of scenery. A few days before we were to leave my father got admitted to hospital and on day 2 of our 25 hour drive he was transferred to hospice with terminal congestive heart failure. We had two weeks of mandatory isolation after crossing the border and Dad’s aim was to hold on long enough to say goodbye in person. I feel so lucky that not only did he hold on but that he rallied and I got to spend nearly two and a half months of amazing quality time with him (his wit and wisdom was as sharp as it had always been up until the end). He passed on September 18th. A month earlier, my mother was also increasingly unwell and was taken to ER with pneumonia that was later diagnosed as non-small cel carcinoma already stage 4. Literally five minutes after my father’s last breath the hospital called to say that Mom was in an ambulance heading home to start palliative care at the house. We had three incredible weeks with receiving exceptional care at home and managed to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving as a family yesterday before her transition to hospice this morning. I feel so lucky that we managed to get her into the same hospice my father had been. The care is excellent and we already knew all the nurses, Dr’s and caregivers. Jen and the boys flew home a few weeks ago but I haven’t had the heart to leave. It’s been nearly four months since we arrived. I’m sure the rest of this journey will continue to be hard but the Roadster family has been an incredible support for me and a further testament to this amazing community. So back to my cathartacism and to updating this thread…
RIP Merlyn Joseph Royea
November 21, 1937 – September 18, 2020
https://i.imgur.com/mdhK1Me.jpg
Prayers are with you. I really have no words I can offer other than it puts a smile in my heart to know you were able to spend that much time with him before he passed. That truly was one of the greatest send offs one can have. Take care my friend and stay safe. We always have your back.
Back in 2015 I came across the art of San Mamiya thanks to Japanese Nostalgic Car - https://japanesenostalgiccar.com/art...by-san_mamiya/
…and a few months later there was a follow-up article (http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/san-mamiya-x-jnc-debut/) with a print JNC had collaborated on for that year’s JCCS.
https://i.imgur.com/vtfSeyL.jpg
Further down in the article was this amazing piece he created with Muttley piloting Ricky’s NA on track that I was totally enamored with
https://i.imgur.com/Brn6xYy.jpg
The articles talked about Mamiya-sans commission work but so I first reached out in October 2016 but after a number of years persisting the fun really began in March…
https://i.imgur.com/oB54Vxl.png?1
The steps in between to get to the final detail was incredible and San kindly did a version with the StarSharks and another with the Wats since I was having a hard time deciding
https://i.imgur.com/dwKqThN.png
https://i.imgur.com/rfQICEa.png
But Roadsters to me have been all about the people so we really had to capture the many amazing years at MRLS. So many people that I’d met in person for the first time at Laguna and almost all who’d shared the corkscrew. Not surprisingly, they’re all MRNet forum members that I first connected with on these pages.
https://i.imgur.com/4asapBW.png
And then from there, it really was impossible to not capture the essence of KINOD and the Hard Park Crew
https://i.imgur.com/DBlu8oG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/z4xASIN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CttiFDO.jpg
One of my favorite things is all the Easter Eggs San managed to incorporate from our discussions.
(I still feel badly that there were treasured cars and people that didn’t make it but at some point we got to the point where this commission couldn’t grow any more. There were enough ideas and cars that didn’t make it that maybe there will have to be another one day)
My condolencies Peter; but you made his journey as good as possible. We have a saying here, along the lines of the best way to honour them is to stay well and keep their memory alive, and you certainly did that. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry Peter. I am glad you were there for him. I lost my father to the same disease.
Heartfelt condoleances for you and your family.
Being 1398 miles away from KINOD didn’t mean I was totally missing out on my support group but I have been jonesing for time behind the wheel of my Roadsters. Back home eldest son was dutifully minding the fleet and the house and thankfully exercising both the Miati and Frodo. Also he was doing a good job keeping them clean and got to enjoy passing the 100k milestone after swapping back to the RPF1’s when a nail ruined one of the Direzza’s on the Mark 2’s
https://i.imgur.com/us55T8R.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/R5dIlGw.jpg https://i.imgur.com/dU9TdvE.jpg
I sent him back outside for some more pics and was reminded how lucky I am…
https://i.imgur.com/GYB5sdI.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/4HqncBX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/C2gCygm.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/aRiJ9pm.jpg
A few years back Eldest son drew a Rat Fink inspired drawing of Benny
https://i.imgur.com/shmdDDL.jpg
This year for my birthday he felt it really needed to be updated since the original was done when Benny’s mods list only included RPF1’s and a short shift kit from Bill Wilner.
https://i.imgur.com/Wy0a6ME.jpg
The one thing I'm missing much more than the Roadster's is my wife and boys. I cannot wait to be together again.
The Roadster affliction appears to be moderately contagious so have been fortunate to get my fix from time to time looking at my nephew’s sweet sweet NA
https://i.imgur.com/0tjMn2D.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Ky35FKC.jpg
Since that wasn’t entirely sufficient, my sister-in-law (his mom) thankfully also picked up her first NA this summer. A very clean Black and Tan (some great shots courtesy of said nephew’s photographic talents)
https://i.imgur.com/QqgJ91O.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/WOcUaok.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zNzzY0U.jpg
My nephew’s huge heart and empathetic nature brought him around Monday night for a visit after Mom’s transition to hospice. We went out for a drive where he eventually handed me the keys and took me on some of his favorite roads around Vancouver. Most definitely the therapy this soul was needing.
https://i.imgur.com/U0hqUJR.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/n7kKGMx.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/ociATuC.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/UfGa2fz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IvtV0n7.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/ftlIuT4.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/PeEx4RW.jpg
Mom was only in hospice two days until she passed peacefully with us by our side Wednesday morning. When you receive a fatal diagnosis it doesn't make much sense to expect a different outcome but hope that the process can go as well as possible. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to be a part of this time in both my parents' lives and relieved they went without pain.
Certainly a lot of clearer ideas about life and how I want to ty and make the next 25-30 years to look. The 25 hour trip home starts Monday and cannot wait to be able to clear my head again in our Roadsters!
RIP Elizabeth Jane Royea
January 14, 1942 - October 14, 2020
https://i.imgur.com/K1jaOCN.jpg
My heart goes out to you and your family, Pete, can't even imagine how difficult this time has been for you and your family. :cry2:
Sorry for your losses.
Right, enough with the introspection, decompression and time for some updates. The Roadsters and Roadster family have been an amazing part of me working through things.
Before starting the pilgrimage back to SoCal I wanted to stop by Chikara Motosports in Vancouver and got to spend a little time with a couple great guys, Ocean and Ken. Roadster passionate track enthusiasts and they’re one of the only Roadster shops I know of in Canada’s Pacific South West. They carry a lot of cool stuff (North America’s only official Maruha dealer apparently) so picked up magnetic drain plugs for each of the Roadsters, a set of steering rack spacers for Benny and ordered a Driver’s side Maruha window motor after seeing how incredibly fast they are (already replaced the passenger’s side in the BRG with OEM for similar money). It should be here in January.
https://i.imgur.com/qsXNDDD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JAmkgZg.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/OIYwieq.jpg
After this particularly summer I’m certain I’d never felt more drained. The funerals were on the Sunday and I was leaving first thing the next morning. At first I thought since it was only 25 hours I should just try and do it in one shot with a few hours rest when I needed it but so glad I didn’t. Connecting with wonderful friends along the way was a really important step to picking myself back up.
First stop was in Oregon with a chance to see Andi, Dustin and a plan to see Bo who unfortunately was off at Formula D). Lucky for me, Mrs. G is an absolute treasure so got some amazing time with her, Ollie and 17 year old-Taco (R.I.P. you wonderful little pup!).
Second stop was in NorCal and a chance to hang with Lisa, Willis, his stunning Roadster and pizza with Druz and Justin.
https://i.imgur.com/CXbNjgA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IjtA6yZ.jpg?1
And day 3 finally brought me home to reunite with Jen and the boys, Frodo and one particularly neglected Roadster. Mrs. R knew that after I’d boosted it and took it for a wash that the first thing I’d want to do is go stretch our legs so that is precisely what we did.
https://i.imgur.com/xINi07i.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ydqZkj4.jpg
While I was north of the border with COVID locking things down there were a few Zoom calls in lieu of KINOD which was great to “see” everyone from 1500 miles away. I also got a text from Jon B on my birthday with a link to a surprise Zoom call. It was amazing to dial in and see he, Corfito, Adam, Maksim, Regis, Tom, Dwayne, et al had all joined to wish me a happy 50th. I still feel incredibly touched by the thoughtfulness and welcomed distraction from what life was throwing at me where celebrating was the last thing on my mind.
Along with the Rat Fink update, eldest son had also drawn up some pics of Benny for my birthday.
https://i.imgur.com/1GrztZM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tCDpbWa.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CFLCZ38.jpg
A couple days after getting home was my first in person KINOD in four months. FOUR MONTHS! May not sound like a lot but given it’s been my weekly group therapy for years, not being able to do that late night drive and connect with the rest of the group felt like a really, really long time.
Met up with JonB and Garrett for a socially distanced burger at In’n Out.
https://i.imgur.com/vlsicVr.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/NuJQKid.jpg
A great turnout and a chance to say hello to tons of great people I’d missed
https://i.imgur.com/gVlYhZ0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5WFFRmu.jpg
And then a midnight blast home and requisite fill-up and pic…
https://i.imgur.com/dA8RX8v.jpg
Frodo was finding it cold so Mrs. R with her newly learned crocheting talents decided to make him a sweater.
https://i.imgur.com/dHwYJuY.jpg?1
It was starting to feel like as much as it could, life was trying to get back to normal (ish).
Another Roadster nut from further south reached out to see if I’d be up for a Miata cruise and trip early the next morning to go to a large Cars and Coffee meet. Since I had so much roadstering to catch-up on seemed like a great way to start my first weekend back home…
https://i.imgur.com/sCR9q8X.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KkDaEEe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SpDnZ2d.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/P4tIhZf.jpg
Always love the chance to meet new people and talk cars, life, the universe and everything.
Speaking of Roadsters and the exceptional people we get the chance to meet through that connection, while I was at Karuizawa I met Jeff, Adam and Vincent who had made the trip up from Australia. They run a group there called Roadster Bro’s which seems to share the same ethos as KINOD with a large group with a massive passion for MX-5’s. Meeting them at Karuizawa really made the trip even more spectacular…
https://i.imgur.com/3g7k5gs.jpg
Sometime in November an unexpected package showed up at the door and initially seemed to be filled with Jumpy’s (a popular potatoe snack from down under)…
https://i.imgur.com/J00VIPg.jpg
Digging a little deeper uncovered some wonderful Cadbury’s chocolates and some Roadster Bros merch!!
https://i.imgur.com/CCfz0aq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/t4UohwX.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/2ccXw7z.jpg?1
So very cool. Cannot wait til travel opens up again and a chance to plan another trip to Karuizawa. 2021 is likely off the cards but will be targeting ’22.
Spoiled by the local warm “winter” temperatures it became clear my AC was giving up again so back to Integrated to have Alex and co find the leak and patch it up…
https://i.imgur.com/Ls1nNdg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/olXqjxO.jpg?1
That gave me the excuse to take Berg out for a good scrub and some drive time. I love washing the cars because it gives me a chance to really pay attention to so many of my favorite details…
The extended arm of the passenger Zoom mirror
https://i.imgur.com/VG67L1C.jpg
Zoom’s timeless fuel lid design
https://i.imgur.com/SUa7MAs.jpg
The GV headlight intake and blended TSI’s
https://i.imgur.com/hHO6sIl.jpg
And the rear GV panel and Neilex exhaust surround
https://i.imgur.com/5ugcj8s.jpg
When I got Benny back I also wanted to scrub him up since a VIP guest was going to be passing through…
https://i.imgur.com/lVZC8Il.jpg
So glad you were able to make a pit stop by the bay and that I was able to join in!
Thank you for the insights and stories, I really like to look in here.
Jumpy´s are delicious. A bag is quickly empty. :lol:
Happy to see you're back Pete!
Alex Todd (aka Scratch n Sniff) was passing through the West Coast with his Dad on their marathon cross country road trip. He wasn’t in town long enough to stay for a KINOD but really glad they had a chance to swing by the house even if not for long enough for me to show any real hospitality. I hadn’t had a chance to see Alex since MiataPalooza so it was great to get the chance to shoot the breeze in person before his next stops dropping off and collecting more parts before the journey home.
https://i.imgur.com/egRewb1.jpg
And despite missing Bo in October, Formula D at Irwindale meant he would be in town with fellow Cat-Daddy Ian which afforded us a couple opportunities to break bread and connect.
https://i.imgur.com/mgkzKOB.jpg
The beautiful weather was providing ample opportunities for drives with Mrs. R who enjoys top down motoring whenever possible and the more forgiving ride of the Sunburst. Since spirited driving is never the aim so much as ambling the stock SB is more often than not the perfect choice...
https://i.imgur.com/zqSONx0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6aiFhTB.jpg
The only bummer is that while it sat over the summer, the polished HardDog brace seemed to pick-up some rust. Very strange and not sure how it happened or what the remedy will be. Certainly hoping it doesn’t require removal of the bar.
https://i.imgur.com/FAAu2KP.jpg
And that brings me to December finally catching up on the backlog.
With a few trunk lid options, swapping made it clear that the gaskets were in need of replacing so finally tried out wetsanding the raised letters off, removing the old sticky residue and putting on new gaskets…
https://i.imgur.com/qeUkTHD.jpg.
The other bit of holiday maintenance I wanted to tackle was the 31 year old seals around the A-pillar. Clearly not in great shape which has been bothering me a bit.
https://i.imgur.com/Gd0zLPt.jpg
Given shipping for OEM parts is so expensive also decided I should replace the hardtop and corner windows seals while I was at it. For those hunting, here’s the list of parts
Part Number Part Name
NA01-50-601A Reveal Molding Cover on top of the windshield
NA01-50-6B1 Protector Goes behind the reveal molding to affix it in place
NA01-50-6B2 Protector Again behind the reveal molding for the corners (requires 2)
NA01-R1-891B Weatherstrip Left side hardtop seal
NA01-R1-881B Weatherstrip Right side hardtop seal
NA01-59-651B Weatherstrip Left side corner window seal
NA01-58-651B Weatherstrip Right side corner window seal
From Priority’s website I couldn’t for the life of me find the seal that goes between the A pillar and the hardtop but thanks to Jon B he got me the part number that was listed alongside the folding top diagram/ parts. The OEM version is really pricey so picked up the IL Motorsports equivalent to the NA01-R1-711B.
The only other goal for the holidays was finally put in the new OEM seat belt receivers in Benny, reapply double sided tape to the metal AWD HVAC cover (it droops), clear up the lenses on the cluster and clean the tracks/ replace the window bushings in the Sunburst. Of course it was after my parts shipped that I realized I should have ordered replacement door seal sheets for that job…
Mrs. R and I went for a holiday cruise, top down in the Sunburst to spread some holiday cheer (better than spreading anything else these days).
https://i.imgur.com/u0O3CGr.jpg?1
I was really starting to enjoy the top down driving and in prep for replacing the seals decided I needed to take off Benny's hardtop anyways.
I’d swapped the Mazdaspeed spoiler back on which doesn’t work so well with the top off in my eyes but that reminded me I needed to pick up my RSpeed spoiler from paint at some point.
https://i.imgur.com/nZHqrYe.jpg
I’d started going on late night solo drives up in Palos Verdes for the incredible views and wonderful twisties and had forgotten how enjoyable it was to crank up the heat with the top off in the evening for a spirited drive...
https://i.imgur.com/Qsn6Xgw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/18Tx49y.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0t5mt1B.jpg?1
As some may know, COVID has impacted EMS shipping from Japan with the only up shot being that the buying services have effectively offered unlimited storage times for now. I’d been winning a few things since the spring and had been waiting for EMS to come back as the other option was DHL (¥¥¥) or Boat (takes a long time and not great for fragile items).
I finally bit the bullet and had two packages shipped DHL and the rest consolidate and put on a boat. The shipping for the first item was expensive but made more sense when the nearly overnight parts from Japan arrived. The box was massive compared to the contents inside.
https://i.imgur.com/ZEIofY1.jpg?1
They were form molded with foam to ensure protection which was
https://i.imgur.com/o6g3GaX.jpg
I’d been looking for a set of Hayashi headlights ever since I was mesmerized by James’ (madaboutmx5) in operation and was really really excited to finally have them in hand!
https://i.imgur.com/VTN9eLw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NuZLOeq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/blKEVzv.jpg
Really pleased with the shape they’re in and not unexpected that they need a little work and a bracket fabricated to assist with the install but with the help of another wonderful MRNetter I’m less intimidated about what it will take to get them ready.
I’d also lucked out on winning a couple auctions with a vintage set of Heuer clock & rally timer as well as an NOS Monte Carlo.
https://i.imgur.com/Ge59jfV.jpg
These will be destined for Benny though looking for a restoration shop to help clean them up. But in the meantime, need to get into the garage and start tackling some of the maintenance jobs...
Man, great photos. Cool to see all of the familiar faces and cars that you were able to catch up with over the last few months.
Also, glad to see the Lego Space sticker finally on the car!