MadaboutMX5s Version 2.0

[Hyper]

The red a-pillars mod is freaking cool idea!! you are crazy man.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

So much incredible. Your builds (plural!!!) provide so much inspiration. I still can't even get my head wrapped around the rare collection of parts you've had installed on your stunning collection of miatae (not sure what the UK equivalent is). Only makes me wish I'd started before so many bits have become complete
unobtainium. Left the UK four years ago but maybe when I'm back over I can convince you to let me see your collection in person. Please keep sharing - can't wait to see more of the pitcrew shoot!

Thanks. If your ever back in the UK and fancy a coffee give me a shout. Whilst not as easy now as it was the mass importation of second hand mx5s from Japan to the UK around the turn of the millennium definitely changed the dynamics of the UK MX5 market for availability of rare JDM parts and market prices for secondhand mx5s. As such we are still here in the UK quite far behind the use car prices for mx5s in the U.S. and many areas of mainland Europe.

The red a-pillars mod is freaking cool idea!! you are crazy man.

Thanks. Glad you approve as like the styling cues you go after. This mod has been on the drawing board since beginning of the year but what with so many other to do jobs had kept being put back.

[— Phatmiata —]

Love it !! Every time I think you can't do anymore you go one more step further to awesome.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Love it !! Every time I think you can't do anymore you go one more step further to awesome.

Thanks Randy. The interior in the S Limited black roadster is inspired by your previous white R2 Limited build and Rik 'KFC' old black roadster here in the UK. Those two cars had super red interiors and set me on the path I chose really for this car.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Little updates on my cars recently. Black Pitcrew roadster passed the MOT yesterday all OK while the red roadster has proved to be a pain.


Mechanically is where the red one has proved to be a pain as it now has a later low mileage JDM 1.6 engine fitted (due to a bad vibration/lumpy behaviour from the car at idle), new clutch and slave cylinder after the old one gave up altogether and left the car stuck in my lock up, new radiator, new red silicone hose kit . Nearly there but started up with new engine and there is a water leak which I hope is the water pump so next on the list is a new timing belt and water pump kit.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Red one today had a new timing belt and water pump fitted which appears to have sorted the water leak issue I had with the car since the new engine has gone in last week. I totalled up what I have done to this car since purchasing as a non runner in June this year and its pretty extensive.

1. I've fully resprayed the car as the original paint was pink. Solid shell, never welded but 25 year old original paint was past it.
2. Fitted new door weather strips
3. Fitted new tyres as old ones perished
4. Fitted new discs and pads as car had been sitting for 2 years
5. Fitted new windscreen wipers, fitted and wired in a fog light
6. Sorted the non working horn and fitted a new steering wheel
7. Fitted replacement later spec door cards with the speaker kick plates
8. Refitted the missing JDM folding sun visors
9. Fitted a full hard top fittings kit
10. Fitted a proper Mazda battery and fittings kit as old battery was loose and only wedged in place so would have been a MOT fail
11. Fitted new plugs and leads as old leads plastic was all perishing
12. Changed oil and fitted new oil filter, fuel filter
13. Fitted new clutch and fitted new slave cylinder after the car would not engage gear stuck in my lock up after slipping badly the few times I had used it
14. Fitted new cam cover gasket
15. Fitted new radiator (old one had gone green),
16. Fitted new coolant silicone hose set
17. Fitted a engine under tray as missing before
18. Fitted a replacement low mileage 1.6 engine plus alternator and power steering belts (old engine was running very lumpy and all pointed to poorly engine)
19. Fitted new timing belt and water pump as new engine was leaking coolant after being fitted

To say this car has gone over budget is an understatement as I have had a continued list of problems to sort out. Next on the list is to sort a new speedo cowl as the bracket on the one that is in it is broken and get a decent engine strut brace. My first mx5 over 17 years ago was a red MK1 like this, 50 odd since and I'm back fixing up another red one. Saving grace is when I see it with the 13x7 Hayashi Street wheels and lowered ride height all is forgiven.

[Fishbulb]

That just looks fantastic. So do all the Pitcrews!

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

That just looks fantastic. So do all the Pitcrews!

Thanks. The red one was imported with the wheels and centre exit exhaust from Japan in 2009. It was owned by one chap before me who was an enthusiast but then sat unused for over 2 years I think due to a problem starting it. I'd always like the simple retro look of it with the 13' Hayahsi wheels and centre exit exhaust, which now I've got the car sounds lovely as you open it up. Fixing it up has gone over budget but I hope it's getting there now.

Nice to see you like the Pitcrews. They can be very love or hate amongst Mazda enthusiasts.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Some new parts from Nakamae in Japan for my black roadster I ordered about 2 months ago I got handmade as usual by Nakamae. I already have the Nakamae quilted side step covers and quilted hard top line in LE/S/R Limited red. Added the Nakamae quilted parcel shelf and rear panel in the same colour. I've yet to decide if I want to change the Nakamae vintage carpet console for a quilted version or not. Looking at retro interiors a lot of cars had a mixture like what I've got. For now that decision can wait.

Not the best of photos as was trying to rain when I took it but I am happy.

[— Phatmiata —]

I think it looks perfect just like that to be honest ^^

[mx54life]

Well coordinated "sporty-retro" interior for another most expensive NA in the planet. There are so many a combination you can do with our NA interior, so the million dollar question is when is it enough. ^^^that one just needs the OEM LE mat for picture shoot lol. More digital pics please?

[RustRat]

Have to agree with Phat. Sometimes the full quilted Nakamae set looks overdone. The way your car sits right now seems just about perfect.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Yeah when I ordered in these parts I did wonder about the Nakamae quilted centre console but looking at some classic sports interiors they all seemed to have a balance of quilted interior with other parts.

Here is some better images of the interior from a recent shoot as will be going in a national car magazine over here in UK soon.




Likewise I had promised not to buy anymore JDM parts but 10 miles up the road from me came across a breaker on ebay. It had a good speedo cowl which I needed as the one in the red car has broken plastic lugs. Whilst I was there also ended up buying a Mazdaspeed carbon gearknob (same style as the Mazdaspeed carbon handbrake handle in the Corns roadster) as been looking out for one of these to get the matching set and a RS Aizawa front bumper. Suffice to say the deal was attractive enough by the seller to justify the additional purchases.

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Tidied up the R Limited interior with some subtle additions from Nakamae that arrived recently from Japan. They are Nakamae seat belt retainers in the Nakamae red to match the R Limited red interior. I don't intend to carry out any modifications on this car as want a nice stock original R Limited but think these seat belt retainer covers are a nice upgrade to the interior.

[— Phatmiata —]

somebody carved a big CF logo on your photos.


photos look great though!