Cars, Coffee and California...

[oldgrayleather]

The beautiful weather was providing ample opportunities for drives with Mrs. R who enjoys top down motoring whenever possible and the more forgiving ride of the Sunburst. Since spirited driving is never the aim so much as ambling the stock SB is more often than not the perfect choice...



The only bummer is that while it sat over the summer, the polished HardDog brace seemed to pick-up some rust. Very strange and not sure how it happened or what the remedy will be. Certainly hoping it doesn’t require removal of the bar.

[oldgrayleather]

And that brings me to December finally catching up on the backlog.

With a few trunk lid options, swapping made it clear that the gaskets were in need of replacing so finally tried out wetsanding the raised letters off, removing the old sticky residue and putting on new gaskets…
.

The other bit of holiday maintenance I wanted to tackle was the 31 year old seals around the A-pillar. Clearly not in great shape which has been bothering me a bit.


Given shipping for OEM parts is so expensive also decided I should replace the hardtop and corner windows seals while I was at it. For those hunting, here’s the list of parts

Part Number Part Name
NA01-50-601A Reveal Molding Cover on top of the windshield
NA01-50-6B1 Protector Goes behind the reveal molding to affix it in place
NA01-50-6B2 Protector Again behind the reveal molding for the corners (requires 2)
NA01-R1-891B Weatherstrip Left side hardtop seal
NA01-R1-881B Weatherstrip Right side hardtop seal
NA01-59-651B Weatherstrip Left side corner window seal
NA01-58-651B Weatherstrip Right side corner window seal

From Priority’s website I couldn’t for the life of me find the seal that goes between the A pillar and the hardtop but thanks to Jon B he got me the part number that was listed alongside the folding top diagram/ parts. The OEM version is really pricey so picked up the IL Motorsports equivalent to the NA01-R1-711B.

The only other goal for the holidays was finally put in the new OEM seat belt receivers in Benny, reapply double sided tape to the metal AWD HVAC cover (it droops), clear up the lenses on the cluster and clean the tracks/ replace the window bushings in the Sunburst. Of course it was after my parts shipped that I realized I should have ordered replacement door seal sheets for that job…

[oldgrayleather]

Mrs. R and I went for a holiday cruise, top down in the Sunburst to spread some holiday cheer (better than spreading anything else these days).


I was really starting to enjoy the top down driving and in prep for replacing the seals decided I needed to take off Benny's hardtop anyways.

I’d swapped the Mazdaspeed spoiler back on which doesn’t work so well with the top off in my eyes but that reminded me I needed to pick up my RSpeed spoiler from paint at some point.


I’d started going on late night solo drives up in Palos Verdes for the incredible views and wonderful twisties and had forgotten how enjoyable it was to crank up the heat with the top off in the evening for a spirited drive...

[oldgrayleather]

As some may know, COVID has impacted EMS shipping from Japan with the only up shot being that the buying services have effectively offered unlimited storage times for now. I’d been winning a few things since the spring and had been waiting for EMS to come back as the other option was DHL (¥¥¥) or Boat (takes a long time and not great for fragile items).

I finally bit the bullet and had two packages shipped DHL and the rest consolidate and put on a boat. The shipping for the first item was expensive but made more sense when the nearly overnight parts from Japan arrived. The box was massive compared to the contents inside.


They were form molded with foam to ensure protection which was


I’d been looking for a set of Hayashi headlights ever since I was mesmerized by James’ (madaboutmx5) in operation and was really really excited to finally have them in hand!




Really pleased with the shape they’re in and not unexpected that they need a little work and a bracket fabricated to assist with the install but with the help of another wonderful MRNetter I’m less intimidated about what it will take to get them ready.

I’d also lucked out on winning a couple auctions with a vintage set of Heuer clock & rally timer as well as an NOS Monte Carlo.


These will be destined for Benny though looking for a restoration shop to help clean them up. But in the meantime, need to get into the garage and start tackling some of the maintenance jobs...

[Roadster7]

Man, great photos. Cool to see all of the familiar faces and cars that you were able to catch up with over the last few months.

Also, glad to see the Lego Space sticker finally on the car!

[HarryB]

The Hayashis will definitely compliment Benny, cannot wait to see them installed. I also love the rally timer; this is something I have been contemplating for a long time as well but I cannot find any suitable mounting space on the NB. Where do you plan on mounting them?

[druz]

Your Hayashis look sooooo much nicer than mine. Hopefully those scratches can polish out, or maybe my replacements will come out really nice

[oldgrayleather]

Also, glad to see the Lego Space sticker finally on the car!

Nice little detail for Benny but I know you already know that. A very good friend made them for me

Your Hayashis look sooooo much nicer than mine. Hopefully those scratches can polish out, or maybe my replacements will come out really nice

Thanks D. Wasn't planning on outing you having a set of Hayashi's but since you've let the cat out of the bag about time you shared some pics!! ;) Excited you're looking to make new covers! There's another couple forum member's that have them. James and one other that I'll leave for them to come forward on their own. Between us I'm hoping we can help each other be part of the Vintage Roadster Hayashi preservation society.

[oldgrayleather]

The Hayashis will definitely compliment Benny, cannot wait to see them installed. I also love the rally timer; this is something I have been contemplating for a long time as well but I cannot find any suitable mounting space on the NB. Where do you plan on mounting them?

Thanks Harry! For the timers, my plan is to install them on the blanking plate. Added benefit that it will break up that massive expanse of black…



Clock can be clearly seen, time not so much atleast not until after a timed run. Thoughts?

[oldgrayleather]

So last night I finally decided I’d had enough of the procrastination and put the excuses aside.

Removing the old trim is a bit of a pain but cleaning up the channel was very satisfying (damn, didn’t take a single pic of the end result but trust me, it’s clean in there now even if no one should need to see it for another 30 years)





While the tools were in hand I figured it was about bloody time I replaced the faded/ worn seat belt latches (ordered these back in 2019). With the seats out also had the chance for an extra little clean-up underneath (remarkably there was almost nothing to vacuum up).



Something so simple yet so satisfying!


Even though no one can see them its nice to have all the caps for the seat rails…


And in!

So orange, so clean and not a single scratch.

[Cermivelli]

Wow! Hayashi headlights! That’s some rocking horse poo, hens teeth, holy grail stuff!!! Really curious to see how it will look on Benny!

[MLambert19]

Looking good, Pete! What are you using for a radio blank? You know DDM works sells a brushed stainless one... and might provide a more solid mounting point for your timers!
https://www.gomiata.com/ddmirasu2.html

Happy New Year!

[— Willywongka —]

Thanks for blessing us with your presence in the bay area for a day. It was amazing to finally see you in person after your extended stay in Canada. Hope go see you again soon my friend!

Your build thread makes me want to try to start mine again, even though i havent touched it for years, dont even know if i have pics to continue where i left off.

[ueru]

Thoroughly enjoying reading the updates! I can't wait to see the Hayashis installed on Benny, they look like they're in great shape!

[oldgrayleather]

Happy 2021 y'all!

Wow! Hayashi headlights! That’s some rocking horse poo, hens teeth, holy grail stuff!!! Really curious to see how it will look on Benny!

Thanks sir, me too! I think they may end up looking best on the BRG since there's less contrast with the hood but we'll see.

Looking good, Pete! What are you using for a radio blank? You know DDM works sells a brushed stainless one... and might provide a more solid mounting point for your timers!
https://www.gomiata.com/ddmirasu2.html

I'm running DDM's black version, when I'd looked into it I wasn't convinced the stainless one would perfectly match the metal finish of the Nielex (similar to how the RS Products silver HVAC cover wasn't the right silver vs the AWD cover). It's also a trade off for me between cohesive but with too much silver and too many different finishes going on.

Thanks for blessing us with your presence in the bay area for a day. It was amazing to finally see you in person after your extended stay in Canada. Hope go see you again soon my friend!

Your build thread makes me want to try to start mine again, even though i havent touched it for years, dont even know if i have pics to continue where i left off.

Looking forward to planning something in 2021. Since I've been spoiled by the first hand recounts of the updates I strongly encourage you to share with the rest of MR.Net. Your original stories of the wonderful journey behind your build made for such an amazing first in person meeting since I felt I had so much more insight to you and your Roadster!

Thoroughly enjoying reading the updates! I can't wait to see the Hayashis installed on Benny, they look like they're in great shape!

Thanks, right back atcha! And yes, these Hayashi's look to be in much better shape than the flat lensed one's that were on the car you almost tried to help me buy!