Modernbeat's '92 Special Edition black-on-black subtle is the name of the game build

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Jason,

Hate to ask but I've been meaning to for years: Were you ever part of an 80s rock band called ZZ Top?

[modernbeat]

Nope, but Billy knows me by name.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Well that's still kinda vague. How about this: do you know the lyrics and riffs for "She's got legs?"

[modernbeat]

OK, how about this. I'm friends with Billy Gibbons, but I'm not in the band. I know most of their lyrics, but don't know the songs by heart enough to play them. I do play fiddle and used to play concert violin. I've played with some bluegrass and Celtic bands and have been a session player for singers recording CDs.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Hmm, well okay but that's still kinda vague.

[Rogue]

I do play fiddle and used to play concert violin. I've played with some bluegrass and Celtic bands and have been a session player for singers recording CDs.

Now thats something I didn't know.

[friday]

Nope, but Billy knows me by name.

That's awesome. I love Tres Hombres and Tejas!

[— freedomgli —]

That's awesome. I love Tres Hombres and Tejas!

Me, too. I've got 'em on vinyl. Early ZZ Top rocks.

[modernbeat]

Some news, I sold the Miata. A guy that works where I store it for the winters changed his mind about Miatas when he saw mine and I let him drive it a few years ago. He's not just a random guy, but a trusted employee of my best friend's business, and a gearhead. Since that time he asks me every year to sell him -this- car. And this year I relented and named a price. A few weeks later, he paid up and took it home from storage. The sale excluded the steering wheel, but included the unfinished 95-M seats I had.

The new owner has wanted a Prototipo ever since he saw the one we put in our SAAB rally car. So that's what he replaced the Nardi Gara with.

The SAAB rally car dashboard.
DSC_1560.jpg

The new Momo in the Miata. He did opt for the good, solid style adapter and spacers.
newmomowheel.jpg

He stripped down the tan '95 M-edition seats, and the good set of donors I had for the black plastics over Christmas. The black leather seat covers went on easier than I thought they would. He did a minor foamectomy while he was there. The seats look great!

The two donor seats to grab the black plastics off of.
plasticdonor.jpg

The '95-M seats. Despite looking good, the leather was worn and dry. Any more use and the tan covers would split.
comingapart.jpg

The lower foam got a little trim.
minorfoamectomy.jpg

The seat covers going on.
partiallyassembled.jpg

And the final results, installed.




I lost the headrest plastics somewhere in my move. They are around here somewhere, but I can't find them. When I do, I'll give him one set and sell the other set. Right now he just painted the tan ones.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

You're still alive? Are you Miataless?

[modernbeat]

Yep. No more Miatas.

Well, not true. I still have a stripped tub with the windshield cut off. But I won't ever do anything with it.

Looking for a either a very nice Mercedes W114 coupe or a BMW 840i for the next project. I'm feeling reckless! And will end up doing pretty much the same thing with either car that I did with this Miata.

[— freedomgli —]

Awe man! Sorry to hear you're Miata-less. Your car was a big inspiration. But I understand the need to make room for new projects. I've long wanted an E31 but I've never been brave enough to buy one. Best of luck to you and don't be a stranger. Definitely post back every now and then with updates.

[etikoner]

Yours was one of the more inspirational threads. Such depth, cleanliness and cool racing history... Glad you sold your car to someone you "vetted" rather than some random dude off the internet who would trash it.

Also, do chime in once you have that new project!

[modernbeat]

...Looking for a either a very nice Mercedes W114 coupe or a BMW 840i for the next project. I'm feeling reckless! And will end up doing pretty much the same thing with either car that I did with this Miata.

Ended up buying a vintage 2-door Range Rover Classic, originally delivered to Spain, and supplied with a diesel and 5-speed. It's certainly different than the four-door, V8 automatics we got here in North America. Should be leaving Spain soon with a projected delivery in late November.

I can't think of many cars more troublesome than a Range Rover, so this fulfills my reckless prediction!

What I bought.


What I'm thinking...

[— kung fu jesus —]

That’s some full-on crazy right there! I have a buddy who works in sales at Coventry West here in Atlanta. They specialize in Jag and Rover parts, new and used.