Another job ticked off the list! Been in garage tonight fixing something that has bugged me since getting the car…cigar/12v socket didn’t work. Thought it might be the fuse, but power getting to the socket so decided it must be gubbed. Removed it (what a fight that was, did not want to come out!) and had a look. Was slightly corroded inside, but read on main club forum that it could also be the built in fuse on the socket itself that had gone. So, seeing as I had a brand new one that I’d bought for a project I was going to do on the MINI, I replaced it with that. All back together, tested and now working fine! Means we can now charge stuff when out in the car. Happy chappy. Took a photo but haven’t uploaded it yet (but we all know what a cigar lighter looks like eh!)
Centre caps for wheels (the three remaining ones) now all had their coats of lacquer. Also tyre dressed the tyres and they don’t look too bad now, cleaned up pretty well. Again, took a pic but it’s still on my phone!
Great to be updated on the series of improvements you are making to your MX5.
Enjoy!
Andrew
Thanks Andrew. She’s coming along slowly, hoping after the year will have more funds available to start on the bigger stuff. Nice to be able to do little jobs on her for now and still be able to enjoy driving her.
photo of the new Cigar lighter fitted (not very exciting I know but will make such a difference!)
Also wondering if anyone knows how to adjust the exterior door handle. The drivers side one sits kinda funny, sticking out at the end nearest the front of the car instead of sitting flush. See photos below.
And a quick photo of the wheels, now fitted with the new centre cap badges in red to match the bodywork.
Planning a custom dash centre console where the radio (possibly getting a retro DAB one) sits flush with the dash. All radios stick out from dash due to the design of the centre console tombstone so looking to mod that!
Hi Dave
The handle has gone like that because the rubber stops that sit underneath the back of the chrome handle have gone allowing it to settle in that position.
If you lift the handle on the passenger side that does not have the problem and look between that at the stop plate(my name for it:-)), you will see what I mean.
Experiment with tabs of rubber until it sits at the right level and then epoxy them in place.
Thanks mate. I’ve got plenty wee rubber bits in the garage so will give this a try.
Enjoyed reading through your Journey with your mx5! the new cigarette lighter post made me smile as I think we share the same level of OCD, any plans in the pipeline?
It’s good to see a MK1 being looked after anyway and in good ownership as well, there are too many now being drifted into walls.
Ooh err missus - don’t go damaging anything useful:-)
Lol
Thanks mate, nice to see folk enjoying the journey ( I do tend to write too much lol)
Quite a few plans:
Modify the dash so stereo sits flush
Replace all suspension for new Inc wishbones etc.
Retrim tombstones in black leather with red stitching.
Retrim door cards in leather with red stitching detail
Full respray (colour undecided, either original classic red, a metallic red or white. If white, roof and interior will be replaced with red)
15 inch cards erros dished alloys with polished rim
Boot rack
Wood trim pack for dash
Nice stereo, possibly retro one that has DAB etc. Also upgrade speakers
Full engine bay detail
Stainless steel exhaust!
Just a wee list lol
Know she’s not a Ltd edition or anything, just a standard mx5, but yeah, having waited so long to get one totally love her to bits. And so true, far too many being wrecked by drifting etc. Always been my passion to save cars (even a few in my time that were probably past saving but couldn’t bring myself to break them).
Sounds like a healthy list you got yourself going there! out of interest, if you was to change colour would you go genuine mazda colour, so either Chaste White or Crystal white? or would you go off the board and choose something from another brand? It’s often something I have wondered myself but always go back to the original colour.
And honestly you don’t need to justify what you do to you car, it really doesn’t matter if it is limited edition or not, hell mine is only a bog standard Eunos in the log book but to me it’s better than any special edition, keep up the good work 
Most probably a Mazda colour mate, either chaste white or for the metallic red soul red. There is however a couple of metallic reds from others brands I’d thought about. Ford does a wicked new met red and the one on Renault Clio’s is stunning. I also pondered a metalflake red, which would be totally custom. I’ve seen a pic of a MK1 that’s done “sangria red” metallic but have no idea what manufacturer makes it. It’s a stunning colour!
Great looking MX5. Happy motoring, and enjoy
Not a lot been happening in Mindy’s world recently due to time of year. Did hwoever get the last wheel finally into lacquer just before Christmas and then went out yesterday and got it fitted so she’s now sitting on her original alloys all refurbed. Another reason I was out in the garage yesterday…my mrs Gayle got me a wee present for Mindy for my Christmas! We both love the stainless sill steps/covers, so she found me an original set and got me those. We fitted them yesterday and they really make a big difference when you open the door. Looks so much better now she has some jewellery on! Do like a bit of bling! I’ll get a photo posted soon.
Really wanted to take her out today for a drive, but the roads are still damp/wet around here. Gayle told me under no uncertain terms is Mindy venturing out onto the roads when there’s still salt on them! Think she’s more protective of this little car than even I am!! lol
Oh and Rhinno you were spot on mate. It was the rubber missing from the door handle so thanks for the info! Got a new bit of rubber in there now so the handle now sits flush like it should. Wierd that the satisfaction from that tiny little defect being fixed is so rewarding.
Must be the OCD again! lol
Glad you have got it sorted. I expect you noticed that there are supposed to be 2 grommity thingamy jigs on each mech but only one really required. Forgot to suggest just taking one from the passenger door and glue it in place on the drivers door so it doesn’t disappear.
Beautiful day in Devon and if it were not for the fact that the MX5 is sorned and I spent all day painting the outside of the house, would have been out for a drive. Hopefully others got out to enjoy a rare sunny day for this time of year.
Small update.
Got The last alloy fitted so she’s now back riding on her original 5 spoke alloys, all nicely returned in white. Really think it changes her look.
Lucky boy, Gayle got me new things for Mindy as part of my Christmas pressies! OEM stainless will covers! Been wanting these for ages, so got them fitted. Going to give them a good polish as I have a full metal polishing kit, but tbh they’re in really nice condition anyways so that can wait for a bit
Next up, fixed the driver’s door handle which was previously not sitting right (was sticking out at one end) (see previous post) so with a new wee bit of rubber put in place (I had some of those stick on rubber feet for laptops etc lying spare) the handle now sits flush like it should (and my OCD Balance is restored!)
Can just see Carly Cooper’s bum peeking out from the garage! That’s the job today (which went tits up!) Fitting new rear brake calipers, pads and sensors.
Who made those sill covers? Not Mazda it seems.Put a bit of foam tape on the ends to stop the sill from rusting underneath.
Are they not OEM Saz as they were advertised as being so? What do the ones made by mazda (for UK MX-5 ) look like? Yes good shout on the foam, I’ve got some double sided stuff (apparently same as manufacturers use) so will put that on when I take them off for polishing.
Lovely car