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Thread: Vintage modifications - NA vs NB

  1. #1
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    Vintage modifications - NA vs NB

    Hello everyone! I am on the brink of purchasing my first Miata and I couldn't be more excited! My first love are the "little British sports cars" of the 60's (MGB's, Triumphs, etc.) ...particularly the MGB.

    So, my goal is to modify my miata to give it some of that classic British flavor. I have been tirelessly researching the look that I hope to achieve over the past couple of days and have an example for you....

    http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...iata/00000.jpg
    http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...miata/0000.jpg
    http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/.../100B56101.jpg
    http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...a/100B5330.jpg
    http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...a/100B5560.jpg

    Some ideas that I have for modding include changing the mirrors to chrome, installing a chrome luggage rack on the trunk changing the tail lights to reflect the example, adding the bar behind the seats (what is that thing called?)....minor things like this.

    I am shameless. The only thing that I am concerned about is the style of the car. I want the thing to look how I want it to look. And this is where my problem has arisen. Right now I am looking at two different Miatas. A 1994 black with tan leather and tan soft top, or a 2000 silver with tan leather and tan soft top.

    If you check out this thread...

    http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/16-...yle-miata.html

    which is where my original inspiration came from, you will notice that most cars posted there are NA. I understand that the body style and headlights of the NA automatically give a more classic British look to the car. There are NB models sprinkled throughout that thread, but I have yet to come across a single image on the internet of a NB that is modded similarly to my example post.

    So, what I am asking for are images of NB models that are modded similar to my example or that you think bring out that "MGB look" that I am going for.....bonus points if the cars are silver.

    I am also asking for your opinion on modding the NB models. Would it be a lost cause to try and recreate this style with the swooped body style of the NB?

    Thank you all for your time.

  2. #2
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift Demon I Am's Avatar
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  4. #3
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    Thanks. I have already searched this forum and reviewed those threads. I still am not seeing examples of the NB.

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    Welcome to our forum!!

    please don't send us to that other forum

    Based on the info I am reading on here if you wanted to achieve a vintage look, you cannot go wrong with the NA, it has the older pop up headlights, its the 1st gen, and the 1st gen Miatas can generally pull off the vintage "look" you are going for much easier.

    To me the NB is all about sexy, like 3rd gen RX7 sexy, very modern. However I have seen a few that have made the vintage look good.

    If you want to see more vintage NB's you should pick up a copy of Road&Ster

    If I was to try and make an NB retro or vintage looking the first thing I would do would be change the headlights like this



    or how about this ..........






    then maybe do some D-technique interior bits like this


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    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Maybe ask Adam from revlimiter to make some vintage toggle switches for the windows too.

  8. #6
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power Andy's Avatar
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    Last I checked, Adam was already in the process of making vintage toggle switches of the nb.

  9. #7
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andy View Post
    Last I checked, Adam was already in the process of making vintage toggle switches of the nb.
    well there you go!

  10. #8
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    Thank you for your response. I am starting to get that same feeling you are about the two different models. The reasonable side of me says I'm crazy to buy a 1994 over a 2000, but I really think I can make the 1994 look exactly how I want it to for around $500, and I'm not sure I could ever get that look with the 2000.

    I like the headlights idea. Those look great.

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    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    I WISH I could get mine to look the way I wanted it for $500

    Once you start modding though it becomes addictive, enough is never enough.

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    Good luck getting your car to looking the way you want for $500 bucks =). $50 there... $100 there... $1000 there! I don't even wanna calculate how much has went into my car.

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    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone speedypenguin's Avatar
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    I agree 10000000% with Phat. You cannot put a price on modding, especially if you want it to look EXACTLY how you want. To make a car truly personal, it's all about the little details.
    My Eunos Roadster, Jazz

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  17. #12
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! WASABI's Avatar
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    Welcome to our site Coanbread751. By it's very nature, the NA Miata is "vintage" out of the box. It's shape, size, and look, are all homages to classic roadsters that came before. So that's a great starting point.

    These cars are also over engineered, and are quite reliable with basic maintenance. So the choice of a nice 1994 (NA) over a nice 2000 (NB) is a non issue in my book.

    You may also find that $500.00 is a bit conservative when you suggest that is your total budget. I feel wheels can be one of the biggest modifications that influence the look and style of your car, however, they can and usually do cost more than $500.00 alone. The best thing to do is make small improvements when you can... in a couple years, you'll have your dream car!

    -Jim

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    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power Andy's Avatar
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    Just to inform you. In your calculation of $500 is rather off. The roll bar alone would be more than that shipped to you. You expressed interest in a roll bar and even linked to a photo of a miata with one. The only thing that would be in a price range of significantly less than $500 would be a style bar and I highly suggest against getting one. Either get a real roll bar or do not get one at all.

    Since you seemed to want one, my suggestion is to reassess how much you want to spend and get good quality parts.

    Also chrome mirrors are not cheap. I paid a pretty penny for mine, not one of those hideously ugly oxidized pennies. Not even an ass penny. This was the kind of penny that came straight from the mint and was sealed for a very long time.

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    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power Andy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by speedypenguin View Post
    I agree 10000000% with Phat. You cannot put a price on modding, especially if you want it to look EXACTLY how you want. To make a car truly personal, it's all about the little details.
    You can put a price on modding, but you wont like the number.

    I have easily spent $6000 on my car not including purchase price of my car.

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    First off, thanks for all of your responses. It is very refreshing to be a noob posting in a enthusiast's forum and not getting blasted for your plans/opinion of style. I appreciate all of your insight and concerns with the modding prices. You have all given me a lot to think about but I feel say more confident in buying a 94 now knowing that it is not really a step down from the 2000.

    I'm going to look at this M edition tonight. What are your thoughts. I'm going to offer $3500 if it checks out.

    http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/4481781605.html

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