Thats interesting, BBR stated years ago they disposed of the patterns/moulds to cast them.
A little update: This week has seen door handles, rear lights, dash, sound deadening, battery, wiring stuff, several more final bits in the engine bay and more.
The engine cranks on the key (no fuel yet!) and the lights go up and down. That’s the first sign of life for 7 years, so feels like a big moment !!
Next week might see things fired up.
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Meanwhile, on the other channel, the 205’s respray has been done too. I’m very aware I have nothing to complain about, but it’s going to be a costly month.
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Out of interest why did you paint it Black especially in the engine bay?
Surely you have now wiped out all traces of it being a LeMans? It is now just the same as a BBR with the bodykit (that spec was available in the day)
I thought about it a lot.
Thing is - the engine bay was black before too. We’ve kept quite a lot of orange and red where they would have been / still are.
The reason is, that’s what it is!
. First owner bought it black, supplying dealer registered it black and for the last 30 years it’s been known as “The black Le Mans”. I guess it’s all part of its history.
I love the green and orange ones, owned one previously, but it just felt important not to lose what J207 is ![]()
When everything else is done, it’ll get the livery.
Front wings are on - not painted yet though, as there’s a third trip to the paintshop later this month for wings, skirts and bumpers.
Inside, the tired red piped leather seats are gone and we’ve got a nice set of OEM cloth ones - personally, they say “NA” more than any other seat. It’s amazing how much a windscreen, dash, carpets and seats do to make it feel nearly finished. It’s getting so close.
The parts and labour has been mounting up (96 hours and my first “2 page” invoice) but I couldn’t be happier.
We’ve order a black mohair roof and a stainless exhaust from MX5 parts. Door cards are on order and some other cosmetic pieces. It’s really in the detail now.
Also planning a chat with the company who I intend to use for the graphics.
To hear that J207 drove around the carpark this week is just icing on the cake.
Hi Matt, I’m just reading your really interesting thread on the Le Mans rebuild and I noticed your picture of the bonnet underside shows the sticker from an 1.8 JDM Eunos. Replacement bonnet probably? I hope you get it on the road soon, looking forward to seeing more photos.
Rob
Hi Rob, Oh good spot - I didn’t realise that but you are absolutely correct, it’s a replacement as the original wasn’t in great shape. We should lose the sticker - watch this space !
Cheers
Matt ![]()
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I need to get out more!
Looks like it has been masked around the sticker and sprayed.
Why not cover it with an ‘MX5 Restorer’ sticker signed by the guys that have worked on it.
Another month and a mountain of progress to report.
A third trip to the body shop saw the final panels painted - front wings and skirts, as well as a tricky repair to the front spoiler. The wheels have been restored and re-shod too; I’m really pleased with how they’ve come out and how the orange calipers peep through the gaps. Pleasing, to say the least.
Mechanically, the exhaust finally arrived and the never ending list of remaining jobs has whittled down to a single page. There’s good chance of an MOT before the end of the week - it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
I must say, I’m in awe of the job Chris, Garath and the team have done with this car - it has, quite literally, been taken apart and lovingly reassembled piece by piece. It’s only now that I’m beginning to fully appreciate the attention to detail and the magnitude of what’s been achieved. The thought of getting behind the wheel scares me, but I genuinely can’t wait. The thought of getting it wet and dirty terrifies me, too… but special cars should be enjoyed. J207 will not be a garage queen.
That spoiler repair was a pain - the body shop did a great repair, have re-enforced it nicely and done a marvellous job cosmetically, too - you’d never know it had been so badly damaged. I must remember to name check them when I thank all the people who’ve been a part of this restoration. They’ve managed to leave some of the green overspray on the inside too, which (as anyone who’s read this thread over the past few years will know) is important to me.
The greeny bits:
The front:
The back:
We also settled on a place for the number plate. There is no right answer to this conundrum, but my OCD needed it to be central and as it has to be mounted somewhere, I’m pretty happy with where it’s ended up. The positioning shouldn’t mess with the livery when it’s applied either.
Next stop - MOT. ![]()
Looking immaculate and good choice on number plate position.
Is there some sort of stone guard planned for the front bumper? ![]()
Not sure about stone guard, but I’m tempted to wrap the entire thing in bubble wrap.
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I’m also looking at ceramic coating, but not sure if that’s what you meant.
M
Think he means some sort of mesh to stop gravel, rocks, pigeons, rabbits and anything else punching a hole in the rad. Advisable on any Mk1 and the standard front bumper has a lot smaller mouth than your beauty.
That is what I meant.
That rad is sticking it’s chin out and asking for it TBH.
Not my deal though.
I had a sticky front plate and an MX5 Parts mesh front intake grille on my Eunos for 10 years with no issues. Kept it’s looks too.
£30 atm.





















