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!
  • COMPETITION TIME!.......WIN a FREE Sonus Bluetooth hands free/MP3 player
  • CHANGE TO MEMBERS CARS SECTION. Please see Latest News

Gel

Moderator
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    170

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    76

Gel last won the day on August 20

Gel had the most liked content!

Community Reputation

144 Excellent

Personal Information

  • Name
    Gerry Sheehan
  • Location
    London
  • Car Make and model
    Honda Civic 1.4S
  • Security check
    No

Recent Profile Visitors

416 profile views
  1. Gel

    Just joined

    Gel replied to Kink43's topic in Newbies

    Welcome aboard Jake ....let's be seeing images of your Civic Vti-S.
  2. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Looking forward to the finished repair.
  3. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    The 2 tone tombstones look ace Dave ....selling your seats should ensure you're not out of pocket. Are you taking on the bolster repair yourself ?......if anyone can do it you can. IMHO leather seats are a must in an open top car Looks like you're going to have a nice enjoyable weekend fitting the seats and road testing 'em.....all ya need is some Sunny weather.
  4. Gel

    Mobile phone loophole

    Gel replied to Gel's topic in Chat Central

    I think it's pandemic
  5. Gel

    Mobile phone loophole

    Gel posted a topic in Chat Central

    https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/company-car-tax-and-legislation/2019/08/01/driving-phone-law-loophole-high-court You can bet your bottom dollar the loophole will soon be addressed.
  6. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Brilliant news Dave 😃 it was a tricky problem but you nailed the problem from the off. Nothing would have changed without Gayle's magic touch 😇 Right.....it's time to start enjoying your topless redzer.
  7. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Tomorrow is promised to be a scorcher so fingers crossed you'll have the HT leads anon.....not forgetting the OBD 1 gadget.
  8. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Number 4 lead could well be the cause of the misfire/hesitation ? Once you have the code reader you can then decide how to proceed if replacing the HT leads doesn't cure your hesitation. Older cars are always fun and games 😖
  9. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Have a look at this threard : https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst43580_Calibrating-the-AFM---adjusting-mixture---Mk1--old-style-gate-AFM.aspx I had similar issues on the Motorway....resetting the fuel rims cured mine but I'm guessing it's a little trickier with an MX-5. Fingers crosssed you cure the fault without massive expense.
  10. Gel

    Mk1 Mazda MX5 (aka Mindy!)

    Gel replied to Dave's topic in Members Cars

    Good preventable work that 😎......I see from our sister Site that Mindy sailed through her MOT.....was there ever any doubt....lol
  11. Gel

    Mike Brewer Stateside

    Gel replied to Gel's topic in Chat Central

    Upon checking I see Ed has made the first Show for "Ed China's Garage Revival" and it looks like he'll also be involved with another Show called "Built by many" He's restoring an E-Type in episode1......it's not been released quite yet but you can view a trailer here : https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116975_trailer-released-for-edd-chinas-2nd-new-car-show-built-by-many Every cloud has a silver lining
  12. Gel

    Mike Brewer Stateside

    Gel replied to Gel's topic in Chat Central

    Ed has already done a Pilot Show so we might be seeing him back on our screens ? Yeah, I too love Fuzz.....excepting when he goes off on one about buses....lol
  13. Gel

    Mike Brewer Stateside

    Gel replied to Gel's topic in Chat Central

    People that keep telling us what a good egg they are ain't for me.....IMO Mike is a self centered salesman that has made good off the back of others. Ant is a nice guy that's gifted at bodywork but weak mechanically whereas Ed was/is a gifted all rounder. fingers crossed we'll soon be seeing more of Ed on our TV screens 😊
  14. Gel

    Mike Brewer Stateside

    Gel replied to Gel's topic in Chat Central

    Can ya see it now....lol
  15. Gel

    Mike Brewer Stateside

    Gel posted a topic in Chat Central

    It appears Mike loves Mike more than ever before....lol
×

Important Information

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

  I accept