My rust bucket budget build!

[lowandrusty]

So I picked this car up on a whim for $1600 off Ebay. This is my second Miata although it had been years since my last ownership of an MX-5. My former car was a gorgeous supercharged rocket that I spent way too much $$$ on. This time around I'm trying my best to stick to a $5000.00 budget.
Here's how she looked the day I picked her up and drove her back to CT from Ma.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcdo0uj6aw1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcdnwnJP2j1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/072a1cca2852a21e38bb5b1ba77a6bfb/tumblr_mf0ro03nmn1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/396236_3250190912516_78478742_n.jpg

[RuckkehrMiata]

I like that you set an upper budget goal. It looks like you have a great starting point, clean and decently kept. How is the interior? It looks damn near mint from the outside.

[lowandrusty]

So once I got the car home it was time to give the car a good cleaning and tackle a few issues such as the slipping alt belt. Also I needed to dig around in the basement for the left over parts from my first Miata!
Dirty!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/531120_3250223113321_964781594_n.jpg

After a quick pressure wash.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/p206x206/416814_3250223593333_1843402175_n.jpg

After a wash and wax.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/525586_3250191272525_894886663_n.jpg

Found my box of goodies which consisted of a Voodoo knob and Simpson Short shifter, Some K.G. Works Bellette G mirrors, Brain Storm polished aluminum defroster trim and some vent rings and mesh grill. There was also a custom subwoofer mount!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/602617_3250164831864_1444813472_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/484358_3367409922918_1678929036_n.jpg

I also installed some TSW Trackstar 4 17" wheels I had from a previous car as well.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/557672_3266798527696_908699425_n.jpg

[ZQQMIN]

Lookin good...

[lowandrusty]

So now she looked like this!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/3470_3266799127711_1377900118_n.jpg

Time to get a little more serious.

Next up was a Garage Vary front lip, and K.G. Works rear spoiler from my good friends down at RSpeed.net as well as a used set of Fortune Auto 500 Coil overs!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483555_3317409872948_442931917_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/382206_3647428043196_1499895809_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/542840_3741456033837_91509065_n.jpg

Oh, I also installed some CATZ be FET XLO driving lights
http://25.media.tumblr.com/40bbc8c02fa7899a38c7cc0ec07f4c74/tumblr_mgp1dd8S171qgam13o1_1280.jpg

I also installed a Racing Beat header, Magnaflow high flow cat and some generic Ebay fully stainless exhaust.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/7071f8bf5e151c57028d8e7e3e97efb5/tumblr_mf50xfKkU91qgam13o1_1280.jpg

The exhaust is actually nicely made, but the tip is way too damn huge. But my budget pretty much dictated the $180 (shipped) ebay fart cannon! Figured I'd at least have some fun with it.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/12bfc16ccbbdaf3c6bb3204f44a784c5/tumblr_mgmwg8mj1Y1qgam13o1_1280.jpg

[lowandrusty]

Time for some more repair work! As I was installing new drive belts I nudged the upper radiator hose and the neck decided it was time to part ways with the rest of the radiator.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481499_3387747991357_1394834791_n.jpg

So I did this!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/14931_3520147101252_1761088504_n.jpg

And just some beauty shots
http://24.media.tumblr.com/eb9e874d869e1e763aa468cfe266f79e/tumblr_mgp1ceOUyv1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/18805_3367216918093_691597383_n.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/d2fcd1372db65e9361a0d2ad622b40fb/tumblr_mk9zdfEefc1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/2c2b6e127053d4ef6d776cf831553ead/tumblr_mk8we96VF61qgam13o1_1280.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549495_3378225553302_1242021547_n.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/3ba62bfd62e550ca3fc53a2895366440/tumblr_mk81edZ4R21qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/07dcba4fb9b77e6ef8bd6d093697f04f/tumblr_mij0yiYOu31qgam13o1_1280.jpg

[lowandrusty]

I like that you set an upper budget goal. It looks like you have a great starting point, clean and decently kept. How is the interior? It looks damn near mint from the outside.

Thanks, it's in decent shape. It was a one owner car! Lots of rust though on the very lower parts of the car, they drove it year round. The stock wheels came with Nokian snows! Lol
The rockers are basically gone the previous owner thought that pop riveting metal onto the rusty metal would be a great repair! Haha
Mechanically however it runs great!

[Phatmiata]

wow this car is looking really sharp!! Nice job!!

[maharaj]

You got a steal for $1500. It's come a long way. Looks good.

[atank]

Man I really like this build!!! Love those KGW's mirrors!!!

[Demon I Am]

wow, looks great

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Your budget of 5k is sound when you have all those cool parts stocked away in the basement! Car looks good!

Any plans for the rust?

[treeafodo]

This looks good, you got a steal.

Any plans for the rust?

[lowandrusty]

Thanks for all the comments everybody! Its been a fun car/project so far. I've got more to update for this thread when I get home tonight.

[lowandrusty]

So looking at my thread I realized that I omitted a few things. I also had Nology wires from my previous car as well as a BSP window protector, a cool polished aluminum rear view mirror (don't remember from where) I also had an old top I had installed on my car with a glass rear window. Around the same time I had to replace the radiator I purchased a polished valve cover. Because of the rust on the car when replacing the drive belts I snapped the rusty alt tensioner bolt and pinch bolt. The latter bolt necessitating the removal of the alternator to extract the broken bit of bolt!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/251192_3387143576247_1958615482_n.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/99442f9c560d9d1e6c13068ff6065211/tumblr_mlsacyySEy1qgam13o1_1280.jpg

More recently I decided to install some different 7" headlights since I haven't been able to find my old low profile kit.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/69421_3907521145361_1147944734_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/407991_3907521185362_15530039_n.jpg

And that's pretty much how the car sat until this month. I decided to get a bit more agressive with my wheel fitment and bought some new wheels and tires.
They are 15" x 8.25" +5et (15mm spacers) with 195/50 tires.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/13e6241613d773a8ec6e905110ed1681/tumblr_mlfm9aXuty1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/2b562cf3f3f0033a4be7badd31328e40/tumblr_ml54q2ApPN1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/96ba08ec88c8a8be9ef2fe900337bc55/tumblr_ml566pok7B1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/29a3bd7e175e2b0d72bbe2b9d2042589/tumblr_mlok1cbDtg1qgam13o1_1280.jpg

And I think that covers everything! The next steps are some chassis bracing and a proper roll bar!

[etikoner]

Sweet project man.

[WASABI]

Great job saving a New England Miata! Where about in MA did you buy her from? Super deal WITH THE HARDTOP!!!

[iamdallas]

Who makes the wheels? I love them.

[tsingson]

^ I was wondering the same thing.

[MiataMatt]

Super clean man. The red and tan/tan combo is my favorite. And gimmie dem mirrors. I love them.

[lowandrusty]

Here's the latest with my work in progress.
It is coming along, slowly but surely. Recently recovered my door cards, and installed Revlimiter's Barcode gauges and HVAC panel along with Retro Modern's HVAC knobs. Also running a vintage style rear view mirror, and some polished aluminum defroster trim. Once my hub adapter finally arrives I can install my deep dish suede NRG. (I know, it isn't Momo or Nardi! lol)
Next on the list is to find a more fitting radio, and install new floor mats. Plus it desperately needs a thorough detailing!
http://24.media.tumblr.com/a7e820ccde826cd16c89693133fecb8e/tumblr_mqz908Dwdn1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://31.media.tumblr.com/d30e7956f5e7e57625fe0041a771c932/tumblr_mqz940qpTT1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/10cd231c0122062014bca42b0c711979/tumblr_mqz90vCJ1b1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://31.media.tumblr.com/f9f27d84a2ac72de0d38462188755b84/tumblr_mqz96qwVEb1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://31.media.tumblr.com/017feb01ffad1364f26b5478c2192198/tumblr_mr0htjKI8n1qgam13o1_1280.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/670fb85a58c05ea45d9477a069f4e8c4/tumblr_mqwqvxBOxe1qgam13o1_1280.jpg


And a giant baby!
http://24.media.tumblr.com/117ff53363b37d33d6ad7988e7778f94/tumblr_mq9bwxytJN1qgam13o1_r1_1280.jpg

That's about it so far!

[lowandrusty]

Sweet project man.


Great job saving a New England Miata! Where about in MA did you buy her from? Super deal WITH THE HARDTOP!!!


Who makes the wheels? I love them.


^ I was wondering the same thing.


Super clean man. The red and tan/tan combo is my favorite. And gimmie dem mirrors. I love them.

Thanks for all the positive comments! I appreciate it. The current wheels are Traklite Apex 15x8 +20et Sitting at +5et with spacers.
I bought it near Westwood ma, if I remember correctly. I got a fair deal, but it does have too much rust! I'll fix that eventually though, or find a cleaner shell and swap everything over.

[petopeto31]

Nice to see what u started off with dave

[kung fu jesus]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/670fb85a58c05ea45d9477a069f4e8c4/tumblr_mqwqvxBOxe1qgam13o1_1280.jpg


!


That's pretty unique. I like that as a visual and textural element.

[jux]

Definitely loving those door panels!
Nice progress on the car as a whole, too. Very nice!

[BlitzWing]

I'm loving what you've done so far but I cant help but notice those sills look a bit rough I hope its not a sign of something worse inside.

[BoBo]

Rust bucket? ive seen far worst, this one looks pretty clean bro. It's time consuming but I would rent a place with a lift and scope the under chassis for rust. Connect a wire brush on a drill and scrap it off. I don't k know how bad your rust problem is but if you have the time you might be able to restore the car back rust free, since everything else is good on your car.