Allow me to introduce my affordable Japanese roadster...Alotta. Alotta Miata.

According to CARFAX, this 1990 Miata was born 27 years ago today.

Picked it up about a month ago with a tick over 115K on her. She has a few bumps, scrapes, leaks and dents, but well, so do I. The key part is there is no rust in the spots that typically rust out in most early Miatas. She is pretty basic with manual mirrors and windows, no cruise or anything else tricky.

And, before you even ask...no. No turbo, no supercharger, no roll bar, no crazy mods. Keeping her on the stock 14" rims (might even get 4 matching tires!). Turns out those Japanese designers and engineers knew what they were up to back in the late 80's. Only took me 3 Miatas to figure that out... I'll do some dress up things and head in the vintage ROAD&STER inspired direction. For the most part, when things wear out, I'll upgrade.

Of course, I do have a ZOOM Fuel Lid, KG Works Cluster and Racing Beat Exhaust waiting to be installed! :)

So, allow me to introduce my affordable Japanese roadster...Alotta.

Alotta Miata.

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Very little rust, shocking for a North East Car. All the rockers are clean.

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Look at those rockers!!! Don't mind that three tires are 185/65 and the other is 175/65...it's set up for high banked tracks!

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Engine looks ok, runs good. Dipstick isn't even broken! New rad in the garage, waiting on all the coolant hoses.

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The Dent. (Yes, it came with the hardtop. Yes, it will be for sale after I replace the soft top)

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Red finish panel and truck lock off a '97 were secured and will be installed this weekend. (Look, keyless entry!) Truck is decent, leaking around the worn out tail light gaskets.

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Clean interior. Just the slightest crack starting in the dash. Clips are broken on the hood, but other than that in good shape. Sub, Pep Boys shift knob and wheel cover gone. (Anyone need a sub?)

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And now a little preview of what is to come...

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Had to install the ZOOM Fuel lid. I have only been drooling in to ROAD&STER mags for about 17 years waiting to install this...

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Retro Modern Oil Cap (it's installed, no pic)

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KG Works Meter Panel with RevLimiter glass

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Door Latches

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Racing Beat Exhaust

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Fiat 500 Side Markers.

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Nardi Classico

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High quality parts you have there :)

Got a whole lotta nice parts going on soon, it looks like. I like where this build is going too. :)

Looking Good!

Thanks everyone! Excited to have a car to put the parts collection on! I have been looking for over a year, really shopping since January. I have been miataless since my '06 spun her rod bearings at 33K back in 2010!

For the suspension I have a set of NB Bilstiens that the generous previous owner sent to me for the cost of shipping. Claimed to have about 25K on them, I believe it.

Also restoring a set of A-Arms (Wire wheel and bead blasting), plan to add those IL Motorsport bushing to them.

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Have a set of NB top hats for the front, and a set if ISC Racing extended hats for the back. I removed all of the Battleship Grey paint, opened up the center hole to fit an NB bushing, and took out the SAE bolts (you KNOW I will end up cross threading something). Just need to weld on something to locate the springs.

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And, something I have been chipping away at: Designing gauges inspired by the 1965 Corvette Coupe that resides in my Dad's garage. First car I ever remember being in, loose behind the seats! (Hey, it was a different time...) Don't have too much time into it yet, but I think I'm on the right path.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by fwdtamiya

Got a whole lotta nice parts going on soon, it looks like. I like where this build is going too. :)

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Thanks. Need to sort out the maintenance stuff first. I have no idea when the TB was done, and she is leaking oil, I suspect from the front main seal.

But, yes, after that is done, the fun starts! :)

Good stuff

I bought my car without a finish panel or trunk lock cylinder (Keyless entry!). I found a guy less than 10 minutes from me parting a red 97, which has the ABS finish panel instead of the early ones which apparently have the same durability as a Ming Vase. Picked up the panel and lock, installed this weekend.

Every single rubber seal is pretty much dry rotted. The plastic clips (Blue arrow) were also very brittle. The 97 panel uses less of these, so I used the best two I had. The seller also included the metal retaining studs from his panel (Green arrow), I used these to fill the extra holes.

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Back to the worn out seals. I stopped by Home Depot Racing Supply and bought two bags of each of these. I ended up using them all (including some of the original washers from the studs) to seal up all the holes.

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And, the final result...Looks like every other red NA in the world. Pretty sure this is the nicest panel on the car! :) My paint is rough, but I will take that over rust any day of the week. At least she is all one color. Going to see if I can source a nice vintage Mazda badge off of eBay to cover the holes.

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I little while back someone on one of the Miata FB groups was 3D printing solid door bushings. (Sorry, it has been a while and I forget who you were for proper credit!)

So, for about $15 shipped for a car I did not yet own, I figured I didn't have too much to loose. They are not as finished as the GarageStar ones, but he didn't sell them like they would be. I think he was just covering materials and shipping (actually refunded me a few bucks!)

Installed this weekend, and they did help with some of the 'crashy-ness' of the chassis over larger bumps and rough pavement. Now, I have only had this car for about two weeks, so I don't have a lot of seat time to know all her shakes and rattles intimately.

Used a 10mm socket to get the old ones off (which were not in bad shape, but squishy), cleaned up the paint under them and bolted the new ones in. Doors close with more of a 'thunk' than a 'ting' now, so that is good.

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As expected, my 27 year old gauge hood was not as complete as I would have liked. Granted, there are no huge holes or cracks, but the clips have all broken off, and I noticed a crack in the thin part at the bottom of the gauges when I took it off. And, the screw holes disintegrated when I unscrewed the screws. Time to fix!

Step One: Quick Template.

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Then, cut some thin aluminum sheet to spec on the bandsaw

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Epoxy and clamps are your friends!

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Next up, the screw holes. They were just gone. Hmmm...fender washers and epoxy. New friends!

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Used a bolt and another washer to clamp it into place while it set up

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Finished result, very secure.

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Removed the old crusty 'foam/weather strip' around the back of the dash contact area and replaced with new 1/4 x 1/8 foam weather seal tape from Amazon. Not as good a s clips, but at least it does not rattle anymore.

AP Products 018-181417 1/8" x 1/4" Vinyl Foam Tape

Sneak Peak at the next install post in this pic! :)

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I knew mine was going to shatter as soon as I touched it for removal. Here is a link that might help. :cheers:

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/40-1116.html

Or save $60 here

https://www.rspeed.net/Rspeed_Meter_...p/na1-7306.htm

Looking good!