Jump to content

We welcome modern classics from the 80's, 90's and on-wards, from saloons and hatchbacks to sports cars.
Join Now

Reviews

Check out our reviews of modern classic cars. We give them ratings so you can choose your car wisely.

Members Cars

Check out our members cars and add your own

Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

This is the latest addition to our modern classic family! A Mk1 Mazda MX5 1.6 (UK car). I've wanted one of these since the day they were launched back in 1989. Was at the Car show in Glasgow seeing all the new cars, when they pulled the cover off to reveal this gorgeous little red sports car. Was love at first sight, and said there an then I have to have one of these one day! Only taken me nigh on 30 years to realize that dream, but I was a skint teenager back then (now I'm a skint oldie! lol).
As I've been down lately, Gayle my Mrs suggested I needed a new project to help pick me up. She also loves the mx5's, so initial plan was to get a total rust bucket without mot and do a full restoration. After looking at prospective cars, realized that the £1000 budget really did just buy cars that were totally gone. So we upped the budget and came up with plan B! This plan was to buy a decent enough car to start with that just needed TLC, so we spent ages viewing lots of cars that appeared decent but once we arrived to view found they too needed too much work rust wise. Finally found this one which was in Stirling.
So, she's a 1997 UK car (so one of the last mk1's) with 90K on the clock, came with almost a years mot and the chap selling really didn't want to sell her! As everyone knows, all MX5's rot in the rear inner/outer sills and the rear arches. Mindy still has her original arches, but has had the very lower outer sills replaced on both sides. Not the prettiest repair, but look to be a very solid one. Underneath she's solid, and the previous owner has spent a fair bit on her with the welding and also replacing both rear brake calipers. There wasn't a service book which was disappointing, but there are receipts and old MOT's so some history of what she's had done.
Faults we noticed that needed dealing with first were the hood. It was completely shot, and had temp gaffa tape repairs. There was also a really bad vibration when at 65-70mph. These repairs are detailed in later posts.
So here she is the day we arrived home!

We'd literally just arrived home 5 mins before, and I thought I'd get a couple of pics but as I did, Gayle and my step daughter promptly jumped in and off they went for a wee run!! lol
My plan is to restore her to as close to new as I can get, along with some subtle mods. So planning the following:
Replace all suspension including shocks/springs, all wishbones etc then laser 4 wheel alignment Stainless steel exhaust Replace hood fully strip underneath and apply new underseal plus having chassis wax injected. New brakes Rear sills to be replaced by BorderMX5 so done professionally and will be undetactable once done Full respray (in either the original classic red or possibly the new Mazda "Soul red" metallic red.) Custom leather Interior retrim including replacing the seats with tombstone ones New wheels and tyres (Cades Enos with a bit of dish) Fully detailed engine bay Follow her progress in "Members Cars" in the forum.
Read more...
News Flash!
  • Future Classic Cars
  • for all modern classic cars from the 80's onwards

Chat Central

Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0

Chill out and chat about anything in here.

21 topics in this forum

  1. Random thoughts here

    By Krzys,
    • 19 replies
    • 861 views

  2. Mobile phone loophole

    By Gel,
    • 2 replies
    • 281 views

  3. Mike Brewer Stateside

    By Gel,   
    • 8 replies
    • 428 views

  4. Name these classic British cars

    By Gel,   
    • 3 replies
    • 290 views

  5. Blast from the past

    By Dave,
    • 7 replies
    • 334 views

  6. Another new site we have!

    By Dave,   
    • 4 replies
    • 260 views

  7. Mindy's mini-me!

    By Dave,
    • 5 replies
    • 341 views

  8. What did Santa bring for your modern classic?

    By Dave,   
    • 6 replies
    • 329 views

  9. Ho ho ho

    By Gel,   
    • 9 replies
    • 373 views

  10. What do you miss in modern cars

    By Gel,   
    • 9 replies
    • 484 views

  11. Good morning/afternoon/evening

    By Gel,   
    • 9 replies
    • 353 views

  12. Random images (locked topic)

    By Dave,
    • 0 replies
    • 183 views

  13. Another modern classic joining our family! Mk1 MX5

    By Dave,   
    • 24 replies
    • 912 views

  14. WE NEED YOU!.......

    By Dave,
    • 0 replies
    • 255 views

  15. What do you think makes a car a modern classic?

    By Dave,   
    • 10 replies
    • 764 views

  16. Modern classics spotted on our holiday in Jersey

    By Dave,   
    • 1 reply
    • 255 views

  17. "Who dunnit"....first

    By Gel,   
    • 1 reply
    • 265 views

  18. Your car history! (photos please)

    By Dave,
    • 1 reply
    • 809 views

  19. Video of new car!

    By Dave,   
    • 3 replies
    • 467 views

  20. Your very first car

    By HIGHLANDER,   
    • 28 replies
    • 2,079 views

  21. How you found us

    By Dave,   
    • 4 replies
    • 370 views
Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0
×

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of UseGuidelines..

  I accept