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Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
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I'm sanding the hardtop, about 80% there in terms of getting the black paint off, then got to give it the once over with 1000 grit and 1500 grit and hopefully get it painted this weekend.
I've noticed that unfortunately one of the rear springs has cracked (the offside one thankfully as it's much easier to get at the bolts in the boot on that side), so that'll need replaced at the same time as the major service and the waxoyl job. after that it'll just be enjoying it for the rest of the year, and planning to do some more work in the autumn (potentially get the bonnet resprayed and fit a catback exhaust for another few horses (should be close to 130 at the crank with that, the JDM 1.6 allegedly makes 120bhp rather than 115, and it's got a cold air intake which makes it perkier after 5000rpm, and the exhaust should be good for another 4bhp or so.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49937397311_4cbbf94d3f_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49936886653_c231ed3f6a_h_d.jpg
Not so much a summer car as my regular car but obviously a lot of fun in the summer and used a lot more in drier months.
I sold it when I needed something more practical for work with the promise that I'd get another when finances allow. I am very much looking forward to that day and that one will probably be more of a summer/weekend use car.
As well as that two of the coil springs are getting replaced (previous owner must have hit a very large pothole indeed!).
On the plus side the specialist said it's one of the most mechanically sound Mk1s he's seen in a long while with essentially no significant rust at all, so it looks like it'll be a keeper.
Should be ready by next weekend, a fairly substantial bill (likely £700) but worth doing to a car I'll be keeping a few years that's otherwise in very good order.
The drive down the Ards peninsula to leave it off was lovely, blazing sun and wonderful scenery.
I'm also about 80% through respraying the hardtop, just the clearcoat to do.
The work was pretty extensive but it should be sound for years now. The underside looks new, really pleased with it, and the roof turned out well considering a complete hack with some spray cans did it (ie me)
However, the faff of changing between the hardtop and soft-top was annoying (and a 2 person job). The soft-top was rubbish so really if it was wet at all you needed the hardtop. It also had an annoying oil leak which I couldn't get sorted despite changing most of the engine seals, and due to the short gearing, 5 speed gearbox, and complete absence of any sound deadening between the engine and the cabin, it droned along at about 4300rpm at motorway speeds which got quite tiresome.
It also had absolutely no safety kit at all which was worrying on the odd occasion I had to transport our son in it.
In the end I sold it, but I've fancied another MX-5 since, particularly as I've sold my Focus RS on the grounds of being impractically quick (even on B roads it was too easy to see triple digits) when driven enthusiastically.
An MX-5 just hits that sweet spot of being involving and fun to drive without getting to licence losing speeds.
I was planning on getting a Mk3.5 or 3.75 Sport Tech model, which would give me the benefit of a folding hard top, but it's a bit portly by MX-5 standards, and decent examples of the 3.75 are £10k+ which is a fair amount for an 8 year old car which cost £18k new.
There's a Mk4/ND Soft-top nearby for sale with low miles, 2 litre Sport spec for reasonable money which has me really tempted. No Nav which was a very odd spec choice but it can be added retrospectively and might give a haggling opportunity. I figure if I like it I might get the BBR Super 200 kit fitted in a year or so, and if I don't I shouldn't lose too much money on it
Do Morgan make a V8 engined car anymore or is a BMW straight 6 their biggest engine? They seem like the kind of brand that an old lump of a Rover V8 would suit.
Think I'll take a look at the MX-5 tomorrow or Tuesday, with the BBR Super 200 package and new exhaust it should be plenty quick (200hp/tonne), and retain the nice NA throttle response, though the 320bhp stage 2 turbo upgrade is tempting, 0-60 in about 4.3 if you can get the rear wheels to grip
(The boot can take a cased Les Paul )
I guess he would happily deliver to Belfast
https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/WplvO/s1/jeep-wrangler-rubicon-392-concept.jpg
Planning to see the Mazda tomorrow.
I've been driving my wife's grandpa's old car since selling the RS which to be fair is very economical but also awful in every way (it's a 2013 Citroen C3)