- My model of MX-5 is: Mk1 Dakar
- I’m based near: _Edinburgh _
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __I am looking to swap electric windows back to manual. does anyone have manual setup that would swap?
Hi Jim
What is the problem with your electric windows; why would you want to effectively go backwards?
In answer to your question, simple enough to do, ideally just requires replacement door cards, although yours could be modified to accommodate and manual window mechs(MK1), spacers and winders . You will also need a blank for the electric switch on the console.
I think that is about it. As it happens I can currently supply everything aside from door cards and we could do a deal on the switch and electric mechs:-)
Its a very easy swap back , but why?
M-m
The Dakar edition was originally manual windows, so someone has added an aftermarket kit. Some of these kits didn’t include Mazda switches; as I recall, the Moss kit came with something that was similar to a first generation SEAT Toledo. Usually, this included a plug for the door card where the old crank went. The value of these cars can depend on originality.
Have we really got to that point?
The Dakar was a late, apparently low spec MK1 1.8; surely electric windows an upgrade?
I want the car to be original
I have put new electrics mechanism but the run slow, the wiring is a mess.
I want to put the car back to original.
The NA MX5 is a classic car and its an old car, with the oldest approaching 34 years old, and the youngest being 26 years old. Someone who was too young to drive a MX5 when launched is now middle aged, rapidly thinning hair, thinking about pensions, possibly a Grandad.
When the NA MX5 was introduced, the very oldest of the MGBs were 27 years old, and certainly, to my recollection, they were quite prized as collectible cars, and worth keeping original, even though later models had better engines, gearboxes and trim.
The newest MGBs were 8 years old, and even then, the runout LEs were considered collectibles even in 1989-90.
Looking through some smalls ads of the time, to give a flavour of the values then and how the cars were being described:
Nov 89 Motor Sport
Adjusting for inflation, that then 30 year old £17,000 MGA (a lot of these were sold, so not that rare of a rare), would be nearly £40,000 today
A bog standard £3000 MGB would be £7000 now.
Age catches up on all of us. The NA MX5 market is going through that shift; Pete Lewis, if anyone recalls from the original forum, while annoying, was bang on the money about future values. There is a wide range of values (like the MGB back in the day), from £2000 and up, but £20,000 is no longer considered ludicrous. In general, UK -specification cars command higher values than Eunos Roadsters.
There might be other explanations why someone wants manual windows, and really, its up to the OP what they do with their own car.
The Dakar was not a base model. It was well equipped; unique ruched hide interor, the Phase 2 Momo factory wheel, 15" alloys, chrome cockpit brace, sill covers, burr walnut centre console. Certainly no standard model, and one of the more in-demand MCL special editions.
The problem withn the manual regulators is they stiffen up over time, and they are not easily serviceable.
MX5parts still have drivers side regulators in stock
ILM have both sides.
They also have the handles, which I thought, for some reason, were discontinued
From my experience of the manual regulators, the usual failure point for these is the coil spring that tensions when lowering the window and assists with release when closing. I tried to replace one but failed; the mech still works fairly well with the spring removed.
The Dakar was a late Mk1 based on a standard UK spec MX5. A few extra bits added but sold relatively cheap at the time. The 1.6 was available as a Monza I think. Mazda’s last attempts to promote MK1 sales before the MK2 came off the production line. Not knocking this as I have a 1997 detuned 1.6, owned since 1997, basic model with manual windows, not a special edition. MK1 special editions never really added up to that much, they were just an attempt to bling up a basic model to sell at the time. Big give away is the manual windows, although this one looks original and has electric.
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Probably true of all special editions for any motor; essentially a tool to move more units out of the showroom, to smooth that product life s-curve, whether on the adoption, maturity, decline. Nevertheless, special editions often attract higher residuals, whether a RS-Limited, Monza MX5, Cortina Crusader, MGB LE, MX5 30AE, Escort Harrier, Cavalier Caliber, Mini Paul Smith etc. Even Allegro Rallyes are worth a little more.
The Dakar was one of the better done MCL specials (MCL didn’t have that much to do with the factory, hence the UK editions of the period were mostly unique). It was the only UK Mk1 in Twilight Blue, which is one of the better MX5 colours, and the interior was a success.
Incidently, the Dakar cost a substantial £2600 over a Monza, and £3500 more than Monaco. I think it was a £2700 premium over a 1.8i. That £3500 difference turns into a £6000 chasm in 2023. Certainly not a “value” model back in the day. MCL’s main motivation was to increase margin, squeezing more out of the customers and broadening the appeal of the MX5 in the UK. Hence they did most of the work themselves producing the special editions in-house. The extras on the Dakar likely added about £1000 to the cost price, so good margins.