Restoration Mk2

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: Mk2
  2. I’m based near: Bristol/Glos/Wiltshire
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: restoration. Just had failed MOT due to rust - front chassis and bodywork (probably holes!). Need a complete restoration and respray. Happy for it to take time (months) and off the books. Any recommendations gratefully received.
2

If its chassis legs get a proper job ie cut the old ones out completely and not patch repairs. You’ll only end up spending again in a year or so.
SGH Bodyworks are located nr Barton Hill in Bristol. They specialise on MX5 bodywork repairs.
They advertise in HTST and have good reviews. Not sure what their costs are like though.
Alternatively you can buy the chassis repair panels, a grinder and a mig, learn to weld and give it a give it a go yourself!
Theres step by step instructions available on line.
That what I did on my Mk2.5, took 3 weekends and I did a cracking job if I do say so myself.

3

I took my 2.5 to SGH and they did a cracking job on the chassis legs and sills, and the final price was far cheaper than what I thought it would be. Thoroughly recommend them.

4

Thanks - I’ll contact SGH

5

Don’t forget to mention your an OC Member and they’ll give a 10% discount.

6

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

7

I went to MX5 Restorer in Eastbourne for chassis legs’ replacements in 2017 (£800ish from memory).
Then had sills, arches, all bodywork rust patches and a respray on the Isle of Wight in 2019 (for over 3 grand).

In the 4 years I’ve had my 2003 Mk2.5 I’ve spent less on it than a brand new car would depreciate, and it’ll raise in value quicker than a brand new car too :man_shrugging:

8

Thanks - good to know some idea of costs. My car is only worth about £500 as it is but I love driving and I’m hoping it will be a classic one day!

9

My car was £800 when I bought it, because it would have failed its next mot on rust. I bought it fully aware i would need to spend money on it to get it safe and legal. The plan is to keep it for a long time, and like I’ve said before these cars are not losing value like modern cars do.

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10

Don’t look at what you paid for it as the value, by getting it sorted you increase the value.
You might want to tell your insurance that it is worth more than you paid for it just in case.

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11

That’s a good idea - thanks