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Thread: Cars, Coffee and California...

  1. #301
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Lately its not uncommon I'm the last one leaving the office but knowing I'll be able to clear my head in a late night, top down drive with light traffic is certainly a just reward!


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  3. #302
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Another great KINOD on Friday. Attendance has been growing steadily and it now seems like the meets are consistently having 20+ cars (and I’m consistently not leaving until after 1am which means in bed by 2). Got to meet a new SoCal MRnet member that Randy sent our way (). Ahead of finding the LE he wants as a basis for his build he’s been amassing an exciting collection of rare parts (including some of Randy’s latest sales). Given that It was fun to see his reaction to Fwdtamiya’s “into the blue” gauges since he’d never seen them lit up.

    I listed a stack of duplicates I had of Road&ster which immediately found a home so felt like that might help offset a couple additions. It doesn’t help that CarMakeCorns’ US head frequents the meet and is starting to bring in more and more goods from Japan (and shows up weekly in his minty red RHD NA). I’d been toying with the possibly of finding a Runabout fuel lid for Berg for some variety but I’ve always been a fan of the Zoom lid and CMC happened to have a new one in stock. I also picked up a MS radiator cap for my imminent radiator upgrade and since I haven’t decided how I want to install my KG starter panel also picked up a Zoom starter button.



    Thankfully an easy install as sadly this is of absolutely no use to me…


    The one I installed on Benny oxidized really badly and required weekly polishing. I had that one brushed and then clear coated and was super happy with the results. Wanted this one to remain shiny so applied a couple coats of clear before installing.


    Eldest son and I got it done in about 10 minutes and even though Berg really needed a wash was super happy with the upgrade.


    There’s no pics of the Zoom starter button install since crawling underneath the dash and messing around with wires doesn’t provide for great photo opps. While I was in there I popped out the cluster brightness knob so I could finally remove the green condom and have fully matching lighting for the interior. Only reason I didn’t get to it before was I was only reminded at night when the lights were on but then it was always too dark and usually too late to bother getting up under the dash. The zoom button looks great and is kinda fun though no one in the household can understand why I intentionally added a step to getting the car started.

    Still feel so very blessed to have this group of cars…

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  5. #303
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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  7. #304
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power MLambert19's Avatar
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    A gorgeous lot of NA's it is!

    I've been thinking a black/black ZOOM starter button would work for me... I might need to get on that.

    -Matt

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  9. #305
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! benpopham's Avatar
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    Some very nice additions Pete.

    I am not sure how you manage it, keeping 3 Miatas looking perfect must be a tough job. Keep it up!

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  11. #306
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    On another thread someone asked what keeps our interest up. Wanted to share here to keep it as part of my thread and as a record of where my head and heart is at...

    Bought the first one only 3+ years ago but have an answer of what keeps my Roadster love-affair so strong.

    After many years of moving around the world with work we relocated to the US and my wife encouraged me to finally buy my dream car, a 997 Carrera S. My boys at the time were 11, 6 and 4 which meant it was also completely usable for father son road trips. We regularly took advantage of SoCal’s amazing car culture.. the Peterson Automobile museum, Cars and Coffee and drives in general to soak up the beautiful coastline. What I didn’t find with the 911 was a Porsche community I was falling in love with. The guys I most related to were the outlaw guys. Modding their 356’s or classic 911’s to make them look like R editions. R Gruppe (“our group”) were the best. They didn’t fit in but clearly showed the most passion, always tinkering and trying new things. My car was too new and classic Porsche’s had skyrocketed so trying to join that tribe was ruled out (not to mention membership was limited and not just anybody would be considered for admission). I also spent a little time with Magnus Walker and loved his similar approach to his builds along with his unmistakable passion for the cars, brand et al. I ended up having a blast tracking my 911 with petrolhead work colleagues with a wide range of car vs PCNA or any other Porsche club.

    A bunch of years later we were looking for a convertible because, well SoCal. We wanted a classic. With three boys it wasn’t practical to have as anything other than as an “occasional” car but 60’s Mustangs among others didn’t strike a chord. Then fate happed and I lost my brother so we decided to get our first NA as a tribute to him (he was a huge fan, my car mentor and a Montego was the last car he owned). The plan was for my wife and I to share it with the expectation it would not get much use.

    From my extensive research to track down the first one I stumbled across this amazing forum (and some other decent ones) which fueled my insights, knowledge and passion. I started getting ideas of what I could do and was inspired by so many different directions people had taken their cars. Mrs R and I were both attached to the Miata by this point and argued over who’s turn it was to use the car and she loved that it was 100% stock. That lead to finding her a minty Sunburst so I could be unleashed.

    Enough back story, what has made me fall hard for this little roadster:

    1. This amazing community. I love the Miata tribe and have met incredible people in Japan, UK, Canada and across the US from Florida to California and up the Pacific coast. There is a Miata meet every Friday (KINOD) from 9:30 til late. Its a ~80 mile round trip and I rarely miss it. Last year a friend convinced me to fly out to Florida for Randy’s Miatapalooza and some friendships there lead to two nuts from FL and NM join us on the annual Laguna Seca pilgrimage, hands down my favorite weekend of the year. Events like the Japanese Classic Car Show has given other diversions to the passion of cars up to the late 80’s.
    2. My eldest is now 17 but he learned to drive stick on our Miatas. My wife and I were too attached to our cars to let him continue driving them so he and I flew to Phoenix, bought a 3rd car (mine not his) and had the most amazing roadtrip home. I’m fine letting him drive it now.
    3. I got into working on cars for the first time in my life (thanks again amazing community) and its something I do regularly with my eldest. We learn on one car then get better on the other. We just put new suspension on the 3rd car.
    4. My youngest boys are always wanting to help and love going for drives. Heart warming for me as statistically, kids are increasingly disinterested in cars, delaying getting their licenses, preferring public transit and inspired by autonomous cars so they can be more glued to their screens. My kids are growing up being curious, excited and interested in cars.
    5. It’s simple. And it’s fun even with hardly any power. I treat is well and it treats me well back. I’ve never owned a more reliable car or one so inexpensive to maintain

    And the 911 “dream car”? I drove the “daily“ about 2k miles last year while my Miata racked up over 10k.

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  13. #307
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Simple pleasures - the zoom starter button. After using it for a week, certain now that I'm going to install the KG starter panel...


    ... and finally remembering to take the green condom off the brightness switch...

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  15. #308
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Work has literally been kicking my ass. Too hard. Missed KINOD last Friday because I was in the office. Was on conference calls all Saturday so missed Mattel's HotWheels open house/ car show. Missing out on family and great car things never makes me love work more. Sunday I did get a couple short drives in. Thankfully youngest son is developing a healthy obsession with the pop-ups...



    Then yesterday Berg's clutch all but died. Started slipping in nearly ever gear and with 85k miles on the clock and a 17 year old that drives it the most I wasn't hugely surprised. I have no time to try doing it myself so back into Integrated to swap in an OEM clutch (+ master/ slave cylinders and the rear seal). There's another cosmetic restoration that will be happening at the same time and expect I'll be picking it up after work. Think I might bring it to OC KINOD tonight...


    But the issue with that is the one I'm growing more and more attached to every day. Each and every morning nearly starts the same. I go into the garage, walk past my "dream car" and go straight out to Benny...


    Same thing happens Friday night. Maybe I'll bring the Sunburst or Berg to KINOD and then convince myself, "nah, maybe next time"...

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  17. #309
    Idling - Listen to it purr...
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    What a great read. Thank you. I always enjoy seeing this get updated. Hopefully my BRG is that nice one day...

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  19. #310
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    I’d love to get your “dream car” out of your way, but my wife told me I can’t have a Porsche until my kids move out

  20. #311
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    I see 3 dream cars, yellow, blue, and green.

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  22. #312
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Integrated Performance always has a ton of NA's they're working on. Between his Brainstorm heritage and Doctor Miata email address was pretty sure I found a good place to take care of the work I needed help with when I either didn't have the skills or time to tackle.

    There was only one parked outside when I dropped Berg off first thing in the morning but the garage was full of them.


    After work showed up to pick up Berg with his brand new OEM clutch.


    Man, I forgot how smooth they feel. Like buttery smooth. Even better than in the Sunburst which already is fantastic.

    The two Mk2's that were smashed and needed to be re-furbed were finally ready to go back on.


    Took Berg to OC KINOD and loved the hell out of that new clutch on the Freeway. And today? Today my custom RevLimiter project begins!

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  24. #313
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    TBH I preferred how the RPF1 looked on Berg, but that's just me. Custom revlimiter project...hmm! Care to share more? Pleaseee?

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  26. #314
    Idling - Listen to it purr...
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldgrayleather View Post
    Same thing happens Friday night. Maybe I'll bring the Sunburst or Berg to KINOD and then convince myself, "nah, maybe next time"...
    Well, the obvious solution would be to make KINOD a familiy event every now and then - your wife and eldest son could take the other ones and meet up with you for the KINOD - that way you could combine family and hobby, all having a good time, just keep in mind to get Miatae for your other family members in time, because they will most likely also get infectd (if they not already are).

    Looking forward to your custom RevLimiter project - knowing Adam‘s 200% approach from my gauge face set I know this will be great! So sad I live thousands of miles away and won‘t be able to see your cars in person ever ... so keep the pics coming!

    Klaus

  27. #315
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Belgarath View Post
    Well, the obvious solution would be to make KINOD a familiy event every now and then - your wife and eldest son could take the other ones and meet up with you for the KINOD - that way you could combine family and hobby, all having a good time, just keep in mind to get Miatae for your other family members in time, because they will most likely also get infectd (if they not already are).

    Looking forward to your custom RevLimiter project - knowing Adam‘s 200% approach from my gauge face set I know this will be great! So sad I live thousands of miles away and won‘t be able to see your cars in person ever ... so keep the pics coming!

    Klaus
    Thanks Klaus, honored your first post was in my thread! If KINOD didn't end after 1am I would bring the whole family. Working on a plan for us all to show up in force for the Anniversary meet in June since schools out and it does start earlier. I certainly hope and plan to be able to introduce my youngest sons to the joys of driving Miati when they're of age. Time to start planning for more clutches..

    I am so excited about the custom RevLimiter gauges and the design we landed on. I think its going to work really well with the new (to me) AWD cluster I'd been searching for and finally found.

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