I would say the prospects of getting a wheel like this are nigh on zero. There were not that many of these late Mk1s imported, let alone the V-Spec versions.
If you fit a Classico, you might need some bits and bobs from a late non-airbagged car, to get the indicators to work correctly.
I would not recommend removing the spacer and retaining the airbag wheel.
This 1996 Miata was crashed in 2016. Airbag worked perfectly.
The evidence is that airbags, certainly after 1992, don’t expire and remain viable.
This makes a lot of sense. I don’t think I have ever seen that type of steering wheel for sale on Ebay or Gumtree. So it looks like I won’t be able to return it to stock. Your thoroughness with replies in regards to airbag expiry answers the effectiveness question.
Oh well. I wanted an aftermarket one but looks like a seat change or foamectemy are my options
One of the hardest parts to get hold of for Merlot/Gleneagles owners is the original radio.
I’ve seen three come up for sale in about 5 years, but they do come up every so often (the latest being last week) and you just have to keep a regular eye out and not limit your searches to just the UK (mine came from Italy).
So, don’t give up on returning it to stock, just accept it’s a long process with special editions
The car is question is already factory spec, and was a normal catalogue trim level, not a special edition.
The market dynamics of grey imports meant that not many phase 2 Roadsters were exported to the UK (most imports were exported when 10 years old, and by 2006-7, exchange rates had pretty much killed the trade). Realistically, you need to track the Japanese auction sites.
I would not recommend a foamectomy; its destructive and irreversible, and might well be unsatisfactory.
A pair of seats will be £200-400. A brand new 340mm Nardi Classico is about £300, plus the boss, from Driftworks. Used Classicos are £100-150, but often in poor condition. And there are cheaper wood steering wheel options. Mountneys are about £120-200 plus boss.
Stock Classico is 360mm.
Fitting a Classico will give the car the appearance of a 1993-95 factory car.
But I’ve had both. For driving experience, I would go for leather. The wood rim is slippery, and you will find yourself driving differently. Also, used wood wheels are both often in poor condition with fantasy prices. I paid £40 for a leather Nardi, which was a lot easier to restore than a wood rim (“restored” wood Nardis generally look terrible).
I have no idea how many late mk1 V-Specs came into the UK. I will keep an eye on yahoo auctions. Are there any companies that provide a buying and shipping service for japanese auction sites?
Thanks for the advice. I have seen the right boss and wheel on the driftworks website. I just don’t want to look like a drift weapon so my choices will have to be the classic range as you recommended.
