RustRat's (soon to be) classy bastard

[RustRat]

Hello MR.net! I thought I had introduced myself, but apparently I hadn't, so I figured it was time to do it by starting a build thread (more like a work in progress, but anyways). I am Peter from a small island called Salamins, located just 15 minutes via ferry boat from the port of Piraeus in Athens, Greece.

I bought my '97 ΝΑ around May 2014, like this


(Sorry for posting just the links, but either the image host or the forum attaching tool is messing my photos up, and it's really frustrating)

Doesn't look that bad, right? Trust me, it was (and still is) bad.

Interior was utter crap, modified door cards to support more speakers, custom mounts to support 2 extra massive speakers behind the two seats, and a HUGE 12" subwoofer claiming every inch available from my trunk. All this stuff had to go, so I removed them, and handed them back to the previous owner, for a discount in price.

And I was left with some massive holes, and no stereo.


Via a local forum, I met a dude who owns a shop with his brother, repairing and maintaing cars, with huge knowledge on MX5s. So there I went, changed engine, transmision and differential fluids, coolant, air and oil filter, spark plugs etc. Almost everything except timing belt. When he opened the diff to let the old oil flow, we found some huge pieces of metal. So...

...next job done, new (not LSD) diff goes in


Pretty rusty underneath, huh? Wait 'till you see other parts of the car.

[RustRat]

Time for some serious stuff now.

Next addition was a rollbar made by a greek company named CCR.


Actual photo is from when I was installing a new hood, couldnt find the original

Then, it was time to get low. The car already had a set of KYB AGX with stock springs, but I wasn't satisfied. So I bought these.


Brand new set of BC BR type coilovers. Installed shortly after, lowered around 5 cm (2 inches) and the handling was just out of this world.

Before and after comparison.


Then it was time for a new hood, since the old one was like this


New soft top installed


Got myself a new steering wheel.


That's how it stayed for a long time, until recently...

[RustRat]

During some heavy rain, I found out the floor was soaking wet. When I removed my mats, I realised my floor mat was torn in the driver's side, below the pedals, and there was some surface rust. I thought it was a good time to remove the mat and see what's the extension of the damage.

It looked somehow like this
.

I decided then, to strip the interior completely, and start over again.


I left it aside for a while, as I was searching for a NA6 dash, which I thought fitted my plan better. I also added a GV style front lip, unpainted.


It was just then I realised something wrong with my sills. As I started poking and searching, SURPRISE MADAF*KA.


One of the best bodyshops in my area, asks for 300 euros to fix that, not including painting. I'm kinda broke right now, so it will stay like this for another month or so.

[RustRat]

Finally, the guy who owns the shop I mentioned earlier gave me for really cheap a NB8C dash, door cards, center console, beige floor mats and everything else. I was in a dilema for some time: should I sell them and make some profit, or slap them on my car, and have a nice interior, at least temporarily? I thought it was better to put them on, so this is my cars interior for now


You can see my new Personal Grinta steering wheel, which doesnt match anything else, and it has to go.

Today I also added some folding sun visors, which look really cool, a set of used roadster sill covers, and an offset license plate mount.

That's pretty much all I have done. Even though nothing major has happened to the car, no big changes, nothing fancy, I have already spent a shitload of money, and I am willing to spend more.

So, my future plans.
Wooden nardi steering wheel
Miata Roadster tall/angled short shifter
Some quilted goodies from Nakamae
Custom door cards

Rebuild the motor with forged pistons, rods, arp studs etc.
Install turbo kit
Add a Megasquirt

If I find a way to upload the images properly, I will do so tomorrow. Just got back from work and I am too tired to investigate any further.

[Demon I Am]

Hello and welcome

[— Phatmiata —]

Welcome!!!!!

I fixed your Imgur tags, and avatar, You live near Greece on a small Island? So you are from Crete maybe? I was there back in 1993, the water was so clear, and the Greek's Ouzo was STRONG

[RustRat]

You're da boss! Thank you, I appreciate it.

I didn't phrase that very well. The island I live is really close to the port of the Capital of Greece. Just 15 minutes, and the only transportation is ferry boat. It has the benefits of a small island, with the benefits of living near a big city.

I have been to Crete too, their "version" of Ouzo is really strong, they call it Raki (rhaké) and is usually 40 vol. alcohol or more..

Thanks for the welcome! Hairdresser communities are the best! ;)

[RustRat]

Update time.

After three weeks, finally I received my car. Excuse the poor quality photos, they are not mine, the shop owner shot them with his mobile
















The removed sill piece, compared to the replacement

[RustRat]

And how I received the car. I asked to be left in primer, as the whole paintjob is a mess, and we arranged for a full respray sometime between September and Octomber.

[★ revlimiter ★]

Looks like a great repair!

[theothersawyer]

Looks like they did a good job with the repair!

[wannafbody]

I like the NB interior swap.

[RustRat]

Looks like they did a good job with the repair!

Looks like a great repair!

Yeah, it looks really good! In fact, I was surprised, as it looks even better than the stock passenger side. The only thing that was not as smooth and nice was the small lip in the inner side of the wheel arch, but I will roll my fenders anyway, so it's not a big problem

I like the NB interior swap.

Thanks, that's nice... because I don't. Well, it's not that I dislike it, it's better quality than my NA8 dash, and better looking, but still, i am not sure. I am still searching for a 1600 NA6 dash ;)

[RustRat]

I just coulnd't wait to install the gauge faces, so when I got home from work around 10 at night, I rushed to my car, removed the gauge hood, pulled it apart and began the installation. In the few final steps I managed to drop my tacho needle and it was so dark I couldnt find it.

I'm just sooo excited, I took it for a spin around the block. They look awesome.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I love this thread! Thank you and welcome!