On my old 1991, I linearized the temperature gauge, so it gave a truer indication was was going on. With a Duetto type grill (the type that is punched round holes into stainless steel), at motorway speeds, the temperature did run hotter (new water pump, radiator, fan, thermostat) than without, so I left off. Probably if I never modified the gauge, I’d be thinking grills have no impact on airflow to the grill. But logic says they do.
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Roof is on too. So now it’s just side skirts, badges, centre caps etc and a little bit of fettling / finishing.
The chap who’s going to do the livery is coming to see the car next week at the garage - after that, it’s coming home with me !
Meanwhile, on the Peugeot channel, we’re also out of the bodyshop and getting close to a MOT.
I will never again try to run two parallel restorations, though!
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I cant wait to see what you do for the livery, its looking amazing.
Me too ! It’s going to be interesting - as you know, there are five colours to deal with and so we need to find 5 shades of black / grey which are very dark, but also distinct from each other to recreate the look. Guy from Vinyl Design is bringing samples. Fingers crossed.
The prospect of the almost ghostly livery on black has me on the edge of my seat. I’m so looking forward to seeing the finished result. It’s going to look amazing and I’m guessing it will be better than you could imagine.
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He came - A lovely guy called Guy from Vinyl Design in Eastbourne. He has previously done the MX5 Restorer’s Green & Orange Le Mans, so I knew I was in good hands.
It turns out that shades of black mess with my head! We looked at sample after sample and debated the options. After a while, everything looked the same to me (black) and the paranoia set in (“Gah! this one’s more brown, this one looks positively blue” etc) but in the end we got it sorted.
One thing that really helped was taking the samples to the car and seeing them in both shade and sunlight. The angle of light falling on the wrap and contrast with the car’s paint were both key. We changed our minds several times. I’m normally good with decisions, but this was a ■■■■■■!
Thankfully, it was a lovely day (in spite of the bitter cold) with excellent sunshine.
When I woke this morning, I was certain that we needed 5 shades of black and grey. In the end, we simplified it - the entire livery will be satin black - that means all the green, the text and the decal will be satin black wrap; the only other ‘colour’ will be clear matt wrap for the dashes and white lines. Less is more. Hopefully. I think it will rock. 
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That said… I’m very conscious that one wrong decision could turn the car into a zebra / boy racer / naff tribute, so it’s quite stressful. I’m happy with where we’ve landed and, as ever, have every confidence in the team… but my goodness, this is stressful. 
. They’re going to do a test on one of the panels.
My hope is to end up with a subtle but striking look. I have no doubt we’ll get there. Honestly, I can’t wait.
Several words spring to mind when trying to describe what I want to achieve: “Ghost”, “Shadow” and “Silhouette” of the 787B get close, but I think it’s one of those situations where you can’t describe it, even though you know what you mean. When we see it, we’ll know if it’s right. (Or not!). If everyone could cross their fingers for us, I’d be most grateful!
I want the car’s DNA to shine through, but in a unique and special way. It’s funny to think that 31 years ago, J207 was sat in a Mayfair showroom in full livery. I wonder who decided to take all that off and spray it black in order to get it sold. 
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Hindsight is fascinating.
The day ended with some measurements, using the resident MX5 Restorer Le Mans for reference.
Very happy. (Although that numberplate needs to move again I think! 
)
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Was dropping my car off when you were there today. Car looks stunning, looking forward to seeing the final finish.
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It’s as black as midnight so how about Le Mans 24:00.
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Love it.
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Funny this. I have two sets of used Mazdaspeed body kits, which I mentioned to Mazda Restorers when this car first sold to them. (I have the other black Le Mans.)
Hey Doug! We should try to reunite them at some point !
Could be interesting as we’ve used diametrically opposed approaches. Mine was a budget rolling restoration, trying to keep as true to - and retain as much of - the original car and patina as possible, even down to the original black paint, which was given a professional detail. No painting back in red, orange or green telltales. They’re all original.
Priority was on safety and reliability so new radiator, new brake pads and discs, reconditioned turbo, all new fluids. Sourced an original radio to replace the modern headset, etc. All upgrades are reversible. E.G. Mk2 fabric hood with glass rear window, Mk2 handbrake with alloy sleeve and matching gear knob in the original shape. Later internal cable release for the boot lid. Map pocket door panels, alloy pedals, Mazdaspeed exhaust and dual Lo-pro headlights.
I’d never have contemplated the purchase had it not been for my very good friend Steve, who did the vast majority of the work - both body and mechanical, with me being the ‘gofer’ fetching and carrying, handing him the tools, cleaning bits up before they went back on, etc.
It did have to have a replacement nearside front wing due to a previous owners contact with a gate pillar. We used a second hand red one to try to stick as close to original as possible. However, the rear bumper had to be replaced with new, due to (the same?) previous owner using an incorrect back box/tailpipe combo’ that melted the original bumper and mudguard on the offside.
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Can’t fault either of the approaches you have taken.
If you ever get them together at a rally I’m sure they will both get a huge amount of interest.
A ‘full nut and bolt’ restoration is too risky and too expensive for many. To be able to see what can be done with a limited budget, used parts and work done by the owner or at mates rate as a comparison will be fascinating.
Always good to see a unique car. Even better when there’s another unique one just the same. 
“I wonder who decided to take all that off and spray it black in order to get it sold.” The Mayfair Garage I guess. Our cars, J207 UPB and J820 KCK (now J1.6 BBR) which ended up being the Black LM’s were side by side in the same Mayfair Garage and both were returned to MCL Sheerness to be made over to sell. Mine did so within two weeks of being returned to Mayfair as a black rather than Argyll Sock LM.
Indeed - Charles Follett, I believe. I still think it’s a quite extraordinary story though - imagine that happening today !
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Engine bay cleaned up but retaining original K&N filter and firewall service stickers.
False memory. Alloy gearshift and handbrake sleeve are in the VR-A. LM has Mk2 black leather items to match removable wheel.
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Number plate ended up in the ‘mouth’. Car also came with early ‘MX5OC/Miata Club of America - UK Chapter’ club membership sticker, which was retained. The early and original screen sticker from the Mazda Le Mans dealership at Arnage was sourced from French eBay and just seemed appropriate, as does the change of registration. The dealership still exists.
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Can you please tell me how you mounted the number plate there. That’s where I’d like to put mine, but I was worried about if effecting airflow to the radiator.
It’s a long time since I did it so I’d have to take a look but I think it involved a cut down import number plate bracket, using the stock bolt holes. Don’t quote me though. It’s a bit cold and dark to go out and check right now, even though the car’s in the garage - and I’ve never had overheating issues as a result, even when doing two or three laps of Le Mans at one of their Classic events.