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Grumpy
01-05-2012, 11:52 PM
Bought the car in spring of 2008. Stock with just about every option but automatic, and seat heaters. no shots of the car when I picked it up, other than an interior shot:

http://www.skipandmewwy.com/WebsiteImages/CARPICS/web/stuff027.jpg

The first few things I did were, remove rear badges and take it for a drive:

http://www.skipandmewwy.com/WebsiteImages/CARPICS/web/stuff017.jpg

I also replaced the horn with a Nautilus, and had a custom badge made for the car:

http://www.skipandmewwy.com/WebsiteImages/CARPICS/web/zoom002.jpg

Loving the British roadsters of the past, and already having some wood accents, I added a wood shift knob with a Grumpy likeness that I drew, and chrome mirror covers, and antenna.

http://www.skipandmewwy.com/WebsiteImages/CARPICS/web/pic068.jpg

I wanted to listen to my own tunes ad free, so I added a Grom ipod kit, and ran it out through the center console.

http://www.skipandmewwy.com/WebsiteImages/CARPICS/web/dashe.jpg

So endeth the first year and a half of ownership.

Cny
01-06-2012, 12:02 AM
God NC's are growing on me!

Grumpy
01-06-2012, 12:23 AM
The next 2 items I added were a luggage rack for trips (not on all the time) and a chrome bar grille to further the retro look mods:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMG_0050.jpg

I'd been considering different wheels, and finally managed to find a set that I liked, and were lighter than the stock 17's.

A staggered set of Motegi Traklites 17x7 +42, and 17x8+45. $350 for the set used instead of $1000+ new, assuming you could find a place that had em. They had a bit of curb rash So I knew they'd need to be repainted. After some deliberation I came up with a 2 tone scheme

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/wheel2.jpg

Other changes were red footwell lights/dome light LED, Trunk LED, DRL LEDs, changing the center console to black, adding another badge, Color in the engine bay and color matching the badges to the wheels.

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMG_0331.jpghttp://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMG_9714.jpg

I finally decided to to a performance mod, and swapped out the puny stock sways to RX8 yellow dot bars. Just a small difference, both visually, and performance wise ;)

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMG_0412.jpg

The last couple mods required a bit more work than most of the others. I got sick of unlocking the rear cubby to access the gas release cable, so I decided to relocate it to somewhere much more accessible: the doorjamb, just above the arm rest. I could recess it, but as the seat is forward anyway, I don't notice or catch it in any way when getting in and out:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/relocate%20release/IMAG0123.jpg

I just replaced the head unit and the Grom, which was acting up, with a JVC KD-X50BT media player. Have nothing but good things to say, works great, and cost very little for all its features! ($120)

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/stereo/IMAG0237.jpg

Grumpy
01-06-2012, 12:36 AM
At this point in time, I don't have the money to take my car where I want it, so mods will be few and far between for a while.
Mods planned:

JIC Magic Coilovers
Nardi 330 wood classico w/ nrg short hub and quick release
Goodwin dual hoop rollbar or BFW custom rollbar
Roadster side stripes in vinyl to color match the wheels
Cruiser Dual exhaust
AWD gauges/panel/everything! (Gotta have a pic!)

http://miataroadster.net/artworksdewa/nc1/faces/nc1_1013b_mt_340x160.png

Dream mod, but which will probably never happen: supercharger
Grumpy's Roadster ATM:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/carshoot101311024d.jpg

Grumpy
01-18-2012, 07:05 PM
So I decided to do something not on the list above today
So after hearing all about This stuff called Plasti-dip, i dove in head first. :D I did test first on the cover piece of the center console. After 2 weeks, the plastidip was removed with no trace. So I gave my friend Jim a call.
We started with this (not my pic, and the center console on mine has been replaced with the black one):

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/IMG_7113.jpg

After removing some screws and a bit of pulling we had this:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/Plastidip/IMAG0241.jpg

After some masking and spraying a few coats we were here:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/Plastidip/IMAG0242.jpg

After spraying a couple more coats, drying time, and removing the masking, we had this!:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/Plastidip/IMAG0246.jpg
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/Plastidip/IMAG0245.jpg

Total time from start to finish was about 4 hours due to drying time between plasti-dip coats. The masking tape didn't want to stick real well to the plastic, so the small speaker grills are a little rough, and I need to touch up a few other edges, but overall I'm very happy with the result. I like the color combo of the green/tan (pumpkin orange) but there was just soo much orange, I wanted to break up the sea of it in the interior.
Thanks again Jim!

Ps, almost forgot--- we broke 0, thats zero, clips when removing the doors! (is that a record? ;-D)

Grumpy
01-26-2012, 09:15 PM
Was able to get a really good deal on them, so they happened earlier than expected!

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMAG0253.jpg

Grumpy
03-11-2012, 01:08 AM
part way through Mazdaspeed spring swap!
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/Garage%20Woolery%2031012/IMAG0313.jpg
pretty colors!
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/Garage%20Woolery%2031012/IMAG0314.jpg

Thanks to lots of help from the KINOD crew, I'm lower!
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/Garage%20Woolery%2031012/IMAG0315.jpg

morr
03-11-2012, 11:22 AM
Nice progress, Grumpy! The relocation of the gas cap release is a cool idea. Keep up the good work :)

CeeJaayDM
03-11-2012, 02:47 PM
one of my favorite NC's :D

kung fu jesus
03-11-2012, 03:05 PM
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/carshoot101311024d.jpg



http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/Garage%20Woolery%2031012/IMAG0315.jpg


before/after

Grumpy
03-11-2012, 09:34 PM
Thanks guys! KFJ, I didn't even think of doing a comparo like that, thanks!

I<3flippyheadlights
03-21-2012, 09:33 PM
NC's are really growing on me, and I have to say I love yours :eagerness:

SlowMiata
03-21-2012, 11:27 PM
I agree, You made what I thought to be an ugly car look awesome.
Great job, keep it up.

Andy
05-22-2012, 06:36 PM
nice. I like the nc more now.

jerjozwik
06-28-2012, 12:33 AM
I agree, You made what I thought to be an ugly car look awesome.
Great job, keep it up.

ouch...

mhogan0
07-02-2012, 01:06 PM
wow man looks really good, what trim level is it that comes with the front lip and side skirts that u have my neighbor has the same lip/skirts on her car and i love it

Grumpy
07-04-2012, 09:13 AM
wow man looks really good, what trim level is it that comes with the front lip and side skirts that u have my neighbor has the same lip/skirts on her car and i love it

It's the appearance package. It doesn't come with a particular trim level. There's also a rear part to the package as well. Aside from the front, much of it is very subtle imho.

Grumpy
10-23-2012, 02:46 PM
it just occured to me, I never put in the mod that I was the test mule for. This actually happend this past spring...
Axialflow made shifters for RX8's and were interested in one for the NC. I got in contact with him, and after a loong wait, we finally got things rolling. We test fit the rx8 shifter in the miata tranny and it was sooo close. all gears except reverse actually worked, but it caught on the edge of the upper transmission housing when shifting into reverse, never quite going fully into gear. After a bit more work on his part, we finally got the goods. The shifter,

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/AF%20Shifter/IMAG0345.jpg

and other parts involved with install.

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/AF%20Shifter/IMAG0344.jpg

shifting is a bit more precise, and about 20% or so shorter. Gear rolover noise is a bit more, but that could be due to a perforated upper shift boot. someday I'll get around to replacing it. LOL

knob location is approximately even with oem, he didn't shorten the shifter itself, but changed the pivot point, which is really how it should be done.

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/AF%20Shifter/IMAG0352.jpg

Grumpy
02-10-2013, 01:52 PM
My local club uses cbs to keep in contact on their runs, so I thought what the heck. I was looking for an all in the handset product, specifically the cobra 75 wx st. It requires a box ( basically just a filter/ and a place for all the connectors to go to.)

http://www.walcottcb.com/images/products/75WXST/75WXST.jpg

The regular handheld portables just don't have the range I'm hoping for due to the short antenna.
I don't use the radio much, I've got Bluetooth streaming from my phone, or ipod in the glove box, so I figured I'd remove the stock antenna, and stick a 3ft firestik cb antenna in the oem spot. i used a small shim to try to reduce the angle it's at, but it's still not vertical. I may change my mounting option in the future, but we will see how this works out.

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/cb%20install/IMAG0063.jpg
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/cb%20install/IMAG0062.jpg

I thought about mounting the small box near where the oem placement for the fuel lid release is, but decided that in order to use it on runs it would require putting a hole/groove in the door of the cubby, and I really didn't care much for that idea just yet.. test mount shot:

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/cb%20install/IMAG0056.jpg

As part of the receiving system, Firestik recommends a 18' cable for the antenna, and they say not to coil it. So the cable looks like this under the plastic trim. It's around the style/rollbar, and also uses the clips that were originally being used by the fuel release cable.

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/cb%20install/IMAG0061.jpg

I then decided that since i've already got a hole in the console for an ipod cable, I could just retask the hole for the cb. I used some gorilla tape, and put the box under the area where the coin slinger is ( In front of the shifter.) No shot of the installed box, but this is how it looks when things are all back in place...

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/cb%20install/IMAG0060.jpg

I may change the location, or find a more permanent way to mount it, but it will work for now.

Mexican_Guy
02-18-2013, 10:33 PM
Ha! Interesting!

Grumpy
03-31-2013, 12:19 PM
Spent yesterday learning how to use a sewing
machine so I could make these:
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/IMAG0078.jpg

jerjozwik
03-31-2013, 10:27 PM
i bet that feels way better then that crap plasather.

Grumpy
05-02-2013, 02:59 PM
yep it does. The first time I got in the car, i touched it and was like what the... oh yeah. cool. :bop:

Today among other projects (sorta car related) I put on the chrome vinyl that I got from my buddy Sean 3 years ago.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/390663_4727400350735_350435904_n.jpg

Demon I Am
05-02-2013, 04:41 PM
not bad.. It would probably look better in bronze to match the wheels/badges, but definitely not bad.

Grumpy
05-02-2013, 04:55 PM
hadn't considered that... figured I had the chrome grill, mirror covers, and on occasion, luggage rack. My original inspiration for the car was something like this...
http://www.xtremegraphixtrim.com/wp-content/gallery/graphicstripes/mgb.jpg

jerjozwik
05-03-2013, 10:04 AM
i like it.

kung fu jesus
05-03-2013, 02:14 PM
Glad you made it through the winter, Charlie!

Grumpy
07-28-2013, 07:25 PM
Thanks! yep the winter was... let's just leave it at that. I'm hating the weather in ohio, it makes life top down... infrequent at best. LOL
And now for something completely different. I decided to have some fun with the car instead. I'm likely getting rid of the chrome windshield surround, will have to do that sometime this week. Today's project? Teeth!
First, I came up with my template:
https://sphotos-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1069980_10200218615095849_258848153_n.jpg
Then using ledger from Lowes (about $11) I cut them out, and painted the mounting portion:
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/20130728_142609.jpg
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/20130728_142421.jpg
Installing them is a bit of a PITA on an NC, nothing like the easy NA and NB.
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/20130728_142352.jpg
Finished:
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/20130728_173238.jpg

Gene Rodriguez
09-10-2013, 04:47 PM
I want to see that in a NA ^^

Grumpy
09-10-2013, 06:19 PM
Gene, autoexpressions actually has them made for the NA. I based this design off their Diablo design. I am back to stock at the moment. The teeth were ok, but not being professionally made, didn't have quite the look I wanted. due to the clips that hold the stock grill in, they stuck out like a bad overbite, LOL.

At the moment I'm up in the air about keeping the car. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but don't want to drive it another winter. I've got to have a Miata for the non snow months, so I"m tossing around the idea of an NA, and a winter beater. Before I get rid of the NC though, it would be brought back to almost stock status.

Grumpy
10-26-2013, 12:56 PM
So it's been a couple months since my last update. Wife has nixed the idea of a 3rd car, so I did a lot of soul searching because I've enjoyed this car so much. Most of the enjoyment however was while I was in California. With the winters sucking, and the weather I find myself rarely driving top down. In addition, the roads in my area are boring at best. This coming week assuming the dealership will meet my price, I'll be trading in the roadster. :sigh: I've chosen a 2014 Titanium flash Mazda 3s Grand touring. It would've happened earlier, but the car was still on the boat, when I decided what color combo I wanted. If they can't meet my price for the 3 and the trade in value for the Miata, then I'll deal with the Miata for another winter, and will likely spend the 900 bucks on snow tires/mounting/balancing etc.
I've spent about 8 hours returning the car to stock, removing lighting, badging, replacing the broken/modified interior panels. Removed the short shifter, which is going to JonB. The springs will remain on the car, as well as the rx8 sways. removing the chrome vinyl has proven to be problematic, not sure how I'm going to get it off at this point, but I've got a few days to think of something. I've got a set of Mazdaspeed 6 wheels that will go on the Miata for trade in, so I can keep the Traklites, which will be powdercoated for the 3.

Mexican_Guy
10-29-2013, 08:45 AM
damm! hopefully in the future you got a new miata again charly, best of luck!

Grumpy
11-07-2013, 02:30 PM
The Roadster is gone... kind of bittersweet... I have hopes to get a RHD 91 in 2016. I will have another Miata at some point.
The Successor:
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1017216_10200790872521927_1414521747_n.jpg

Demon I Am
11-07-2013, 02:50 PM
loverly

tsingson
11-07-2013, 03:29 PM
The Roadster is gone... kind of bittersweet... I have hopes to get a RHD 91 in 2016. I will have another Miata at some point.
The Successor:
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1017216_10200790872521927_1414521747_n.jpg

Still got love for you here man.

Grumpy
04-26-2014, 05:23 PM
So I thought I'd post an update on the 3, since I just installed my wheels. I had the Traklites that were on the Miata powdercoated. Stuck on the stripes. I am however waiting on some centercaps which may or may not show up, depending on whether the seller is honest or not (long story)

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/2014%20Mazda%20Axela/20140426_171155.jpg

The wheels aren't a plain black, however they may look in the pic. They've got a little bit of pop in the right angle when in the sun

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/2014%20Mazda%20Axela/20140418_195455.jpg

Grumpy
05-29-2014, 08:02 PM
centercaps have arrived and brake calipers painted. You'd never know these were the same wheels...

before putting them on the Miata:
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/askut/carstuff/wheel2.jpg

on the 3
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10330324_10202020774348704_7041133791871140089_n.j pg