So, as some of you may be aware I've been hankering after something Japanese and RWD for quite a while, and the MX5 seemed to fit the spec (and budget) fairly well.
After MONTHS of umm-ing and ahhh-ing, not to mention a 3+ month hiatus while the banks proceeded to f*ck up all my records and leave me high and dry on a mortgage application, I FINALLY got around to picking up a car to play with!
She's a '98 JDM imported 'RS' edition car so she has as standard the 1.8l 145bhp engine, with '6 O'clock' Dials, Bilstein suspension (replaced with Coilovers) and most importantly a LSD for some drifty action! She was imported in 2008, so she's (as far as I can see) rust free as far as chassis and bodywork goes, which is a big plus for me as I didn't want to buy a rust bucket and spend a fortune in the bodyshop. It also has the 'sport' bodykit and fog lights, which are fairly rare on UK cars (limited to a couple of hundred ever sold ASAIK), and has had a recent wheel refurb and some new pads and discs. Also I have a soft spot for the square JDM style plates
The plans are:
1. Clean her up - She's not too bad, but nowhere near the standard I would like.
2. Make it safe - Roll cage, seats, harnesses
2a - TRACK IT!
3. Make it look good - wheels, trim, etc
4. Make it fast (turbo conversion?) - This will take a WHILE so you'll have to really bare with me on that.
I was hoping to dive straight in with the goodies, but had a mess around with the insurance which involved me emptying an additional £1200 out the savings for new policies all round, and with an upcoming trip to Monaco for the GP, funds are a little tight. The first step is going to be just a quick mechanical check over with a local 5 specialist to give me a 'to do' list, and also pick up some 5 specific cleaning goodies and tools (I'm going to need a VERY low jack, and some roof material cleaner).
So, enough with the words. On to some 'before' pics to get the project started
[url=https://flic.kr/p/n6WFRv]untitled-2 by Rob Owen!, on Flickruntitled-2[/URL] by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-6 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-10 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-20 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-26 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
Jap Tax? by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
Warning: safdsakfjsdfkm? by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
JDM Flare by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-32 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
After MONTHS of umm-ing and ahhh-ing, not to mention a 3+ month hiatus while the banks proceeded to f*ck up all my records and leave me high and dry on a mortgage application, I FINALLY got around to picking up a car to play with!
She's a '98 JDM imported 'RS' edition car so she has as standard the 1.8l 145bhp engine, with '6 O'clock' Dials, Bilstein suspension (replaced with Coilovers) and most importantly a LSD for some drifty action! She was imported in 2008, so she's (as far as I can see) rust free as far as chassis and bodywork goes, which is a big plus for me as I didn't want to buy a rust bucket and spend a fortune in the bodyshop. It also has the 'sport' bodykit and fog lights, which are fairly rare on UK cars (limited to a couple of hundred ever sold ASAIK), and has had a recent wheel refurb and some new pads and discs. Also I have a soft spot for the square JDM style plates
The plans are:
1. Clean her up - She's not too bad, but nowhere near the standard I would like.
2. Make it safe - Roll cage, seats, harnesses
2a - TRACK IT!
3. Make it look good - wheels, trim, etc
4. Make it fast (turbo conversion?) - This will take a WHILE so you'll have to really bare with me on that.
I was hoping to dive straight in with the goodies, but had a mess around with the insurance which involved me emptying an additional £1200 out the savings for new policies all round, and with an upcoming trip to Monaco for the GP, funds are a little tight. The first step is going to be just a quick mechanical check over with a local 5 specialist to give me a 'to do' list, and also pick up some 5 specific cleaning goodies and tools (I'm going to need a VERY low jack, and some roof material cleaner).
So, enough with the words. On to some 'before' pics to get the project started
[url=https://flic.kr/p/n6WFRv]untitled-2 by Rob Owen!, on Flickruntitled-2[/URL] by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-6 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-10 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-20 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-26 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
Jap Tax? by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
Warning: safdsakfjsdfkm? by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
JDM Flare by Rob Owen!, on Flickr
untitled-32 by Rob Owen!, on Flickr