Hi Mick I’m beginning to question my sanity!
Let’s just see what happens? I’ve really enjoyed doing the work on the car but it’s all done now, apart from a BBR 175 kit
I’ve done this before with my previous 5’s and not been long before I was in another one
certainly not leaving the fold though!
Barrie
I can relate to that as you have done no doubt. I had a Mk1 got it how I wanted it, sold. Mk2 got it how I wanted it, same again sold. Mk3, I’m keeping it as I’ve spend so much on it, it’s not going anywhere.
I keep looking at others for sale though.
Break it and I’ll have the steering wheel for £40
^^^ Well I was going to be cheeky and ask about selling me the seats, seen them in the flesh and I likey.
Forget that Barrie I can’t afford them right now.
Yeah come on Barrie help us guys out and sell off your lovley bits nice and cheap
Hi guys good to know I’ve got friends (even though they are quite mercenary like)
Barrie
Hi Barrie, surprised your selling her she’s such a great looking car. Hopefully you will get another 5 and we can all watch another transformation!
Somebody out there is going to get a real head turner…
Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark, apologies, I “think” I sent a reply off my mobile earlier, while out walking the dog obviously it didn’t make it through the ether, must be the freezing fog
thanks for your comments. You never know, if it doesn’t sell, I’ll see you at the Spring Rally if you’re going?
Barrie
No apologies needed.barrie
Can’t see it hanging round long mate but u never know took longer to sell my exhaust than we both thought it would.
No plans yet but Will probably make it up to the rally. Not sure that I’ll show her this time though.
Mark
Totally shocked when I saw the for sale thread Barrie! Thought I was seeing things! Sad to see you selling her, like I said previously, has to be the best MK3 I’ve ever seen. The choice of mods are sweet and all tie in nicely together. Really do love the look of your 5 (even showed it to the wife who wasnt keen on the bonnet but loved it otherwise. Oh, and I think the bonnet is what really sets it off!
)
Can’t see this being for sale for long mate, and someone is deffo going to get one of the nicest MK3’s in the uk. Looking forward to seeing your next project (although secretly hoping you’ll keep the GT)
Dave
Just read this entire thread. Wow what a great car !! Much thought went into it obviously… Well done fella !!
Can I ask where the windbreaker came from ??
Thanks !
Thanks mate! The blocker is an ILMotorsport jobbie from mx5Parts, really like it but it does prevent any access to rear parcel shelf from inside the car.
I’m sure new owner of the car is enjoying the benefits of it though. Watch this space, new (to me) mk3.5 2.0 PRHT is bring collected Thursday
Barrie
Barrie I did note the thread re your new purchase. Hope it’s a great car and look forward to seeing what you do to it…
When I was into bikes I was a really keen modder but cars I like to keep original barbthr odd additionor two.
I bought my Red 2.0 Sport just a few weeks ago. So far I’ve refurbed the wheels fitted new tyres all round and Pagid discs and pads. An in depth machine polish is next which I do myself as I’ve been onto detailing for many years.
Will look forward to seeing your new car. ATB !!
Charlie.
Evening Barrie… Congrats on the new car. Looking forward to seeing how you mod this one. Ordered the soft top module yet…
Cheers
Mark
I’d owned the other car for the best part of 3 years before I really got going with the refurbishment. This one, I think initially, will be a full service (diff/gear/engine oils, air/oil filters, FL22 coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs, serpentine belt and pulleys) then a general check of underside, drop links etc, steering alignment, a decision on wheels and tyres. Might just look at a refurb of the standard wheels? Externally just get it looking as nice as I can and driving to my satisfaction. Might not need all of this but whenever you take on a new car, it’s worth going through it all so you know it’s all been done PRHT module is on the cards too. Then, depending on the overall bodywork paint finish, it might get the full treatmen, I was very impressed with the wrap on the last one so that might be the way forward. Hardtop, mirrors, possibly a front spoiler and a boot spoiler, fog surrounds in a contrasting colour (graphite/anthracite type) with the rest remaining a silver colour? Seat Surgeons will definitely be getting a visitation, along with Royal Steering Wheels! All that is further down the road, might just enjoy the car this summer (NC500 booked for May already) get some car funds amassed and off we go again
Barrie
One things for certain once you have got the mechanicals sorted the mods will start!
The wrap looked gr8 for some reason I never realised that it was the whole car. Just thought it was the black bits until recently. Certainly if you don’t need to do it all just the bits you’ve mentioned would look good. Perhaps trying to introduce a third colour like the 124 Abarth with their red accents might be a bit more interesting than just creating a slightly different version of the silver sport graphite? Maybe a splash of Orange it is after all the 30th year! Front and rear spoilers would look good although options at the rear are thin On the ground for the PRHT. Some expensive Nopro, Garage Vary and Autoexe (I like) versions. Beyond that your left with just the Carbonmiata and cheap the Thailand option (no like).
I’ve just had Nengun send me the low JDM instrument cluster cover from the land of the rising sun! Way too expensive but couldn’t get one in the UK as they were only on graphites and Recaros. Need to get it fitted and work out what to do with the Bluetooth microphone as the new cover doesn’t have any vents.
As you say though best thing is to get her out their into the open. Hopefully when you do the 500 the weather will be like its been today. Looks like summer is finally coming…
Mark
Hi Mark, yes the full wrap was my party trick most folk were really surprised that the red bodywork wasn’t paint? The carbon look pieces were fairly obvious after all, the red not so much. Great idea regarding the accents
might look into that more fully, I’m sure the wrap guys I used could create something, they do print vinyls for van wraps, advertising etc. So some accented bits would be easy I reckon, for them.
Barrie
EDIT: really like the instrument surround! Didn’t realise they were even available!
Cheers Barrie. I’m honored! Glad you like the idea.
Yeah they are available but only if ordered from Japan. Spent an age, convincing Nengun that there were two types, as there was only one on their website. Then I had to identify which one I wanted with Mazda. Managed to find the USA part numbers as a reference but that just confused them further. Something must have been lost in translation. Eventually though I worked out which one I wanted based on the costs of the two types. TBH I initially baulked at the price but I’d gone that far I decided I wasn’t backing out.
Still haven’t fitted it yet as I’ve been busy with other jobs on around the house.
Mazda Japan said it wasn’t a universal fit (they only put it on their soft top models). I reckoned that must be wrong as it was on the PRHT Sport Graphite so it must be ok… It had better be lol.
Interesting Mark I assume it’s just the shroud? Clocks remain, or do they? With the lower top section, I always imagined that it would obscure the oil gauge slightly? Either way, it’s one of those “subtle” differences, that makes a difference
Barrie.
Yeah it’s just the shroud / Binicle that goes over the speedo. Same as when you changed your dial face give it a good pull upward and it comes off.
This is starting to sound like a line from a carry on film…
New one apparently clips back into the same holes.
Not seen anyone on miata forum state it obscures the oil gauge in any way guess I’ll find out.
Mark