I believe this one is quite rare though, so bear with.
It actually started 22 years ago when we purchased a 1993 UK Mk1 MX5 SE from Twickenham Mazda. It was out of budget, but sat in the showroom gleaming and my wife had to have it. It came with a private plate - 8297 MM - but that was transferred when we bought it and it went back to L394 WGF. We loved that car, but had to sell it when our eldest was born. That was 20 years ago and I don’t think it’s on the road anymore.
I recently sold my 987.2 Boxster S and have been bouncing around on what to get next, it was my 57th car and for once, I’m stuck where to go next - coupled with Covid meaning I’m hardly driving, it seems daft tying up loads of funds in a car. But while browsing eBay last week, a Mk1 MX5 SE popped up with a half decent description. I kept an eye on it, and it slowly crept up in price until the auction finished on Weds. I stuck a bid in, expecting the price to shoot up in the last few mins, but it stayed put and I won it for less than I hoped!
Collected it today from a nice chap who’s had 3 SE’s, this was the last of his and has a Boxster at the moment, so perfect seller really. He told me there are only 34 of these left on the road - if that’s true, it explains why I’ve had trouble finding one for sale.
The car is a 1992 UK SE, so Black and Tan with a few (very few) options to make it a limited edition. Supposedly only around 200 were built for phase 1 - 1992 (J/K reg) and another 200 for phase 2 in 1993 (K/L reg), with the 93 getting different wheels. Apparently this was the first UK model to be offered in Black and came with PAS, ABS and wood kit. They were really generous with their options in 1992!
It’s not perfect, but seems to be pretty solid for a Mk1 - the sills were done in 2017 so that should be ok for a while, the hood is watertight and generally it’s straight, although paint is crazed on one rear wing and it needs a small patch repair to the front outer wing
It still has the original wheels with a new set of tyres, tonneau cover, full tool kit and a wind deflector. A few bits of paper work and a service booked stamped up to around 70k (now on 112) and a couple of more recent service receipts.
Had some fun on the way home, stopped for fuel and the door handle refused to work - either from the outside or in, so had to clamber across and get out the passenger side. Once home, took the trim panel off and copious amounts of WD40 seems to have solved the problem.
The interior is relatively original. It’s had a face off stereo fitted with some JBL tweeters on the A Pillars and some 6x9’s have been fitted on the rear parcel shelf and partially hidden under the carpet. It looks a bit rubbish so need to figure out how to improve it
The original steering wheel has also gone missing over the last 28years and a Momo one put in its place. I want to find an original if possible and get rid of the Momo one. I don’t think this is an original one, happy to take advice on that though
Got a few jobs to do - the washers don’t work, no sound of a motor either so probably just get a replacement. Someone has fitted air horns at some point which don’t work very well - very asthmatic so I need to figure out where the original wiring is and hook up the original. I’m struggling with this from an initial view as I can’t figure out where the wiring should be. The Green/red wire from the original horn has been joined to the air horn wiring, so wondering if the original horn is dead?
Needs new wiper blades, couple of bulbs, some new centre caps and a deep clean inside and out.
The plan is to do these few bits and enjoy it before the next MOT. See what comes of that and then treat it to a Mk2 hood with glass rear window. I could spend lots doing paint etc, but I just want to enjoy it for what it is and eventually it will become a weekend car when I make my mind up what to get next.
I had forgotten just how small these are compared to modern motors. It drives really well with a raspy exhaust note and brings out a smile, even on the M25! I got overtaken by a X5 and felt like a truck was passing me.
Any hints or tips on horn wiring or changing the washer motor most welcome!!
