ok.... I have been looking for a car that I can have fun with, work on on my driveway, enjoy, and invest in to be worth more money than I bought it for at every turn .... a future classic if you like the mada MX5 , or preferabley the better specced and less rust imported Eunos Roadster! I have bought one, we have called it baby phantom here is what it used to look like three owners before me....

 

 

I have looked a long time for one of these, now is the time, as they are billed a future classic, good ones now cost £3,000 , and the not good ones are either rotten and not salvageable, or so tatty they are turned into cheap track cars..... most ebay stuff that is cheap enough for me is beyond help... then I tried the facebook owners pages and clubs... and was immediatly offered 3 good cars at good money! this car above is what I settled for, 

 

I'll tell you its story :

 

it was well loved in that pic, then another owner took it over, (paid £2800 for it) decided to mod it, and ruined it... rolled the arches and made a complete mess of them, flattened the front bumper in order to make it look "matt" , serveral other things too, then realised it was rotten underneath the offside, and sold it, it was bought in a sorry state by Kev, the guy I bought it off, he is a welder at the sunderland nissan factory.... he welded it back to life, then part way through the project smashed his leg, had to have it pinned back together, is not receiving money and has sold it on./... to me!

 

picture story to follow....

ok, here we go, I paid £600 for the car.. it is mechanically good, and now rust free, it came with lots of history ...

 

 

last 4 MOT's show no advisories.... it has done 80,000 km , which is about 50,000 miles.... and had the cambelt changed in 2012.... 5,000 km ago!

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You can turbo them too 

 

 

 

 

 

And they make a good track car too 

 

Love it Dave

I went to see the car before buying, and couldnt drive it as was sorned, but for some odd reason I trusted Kev, he was an enthusiast with his own mint example, a garage full of spares, and this half done project... I gave him a few days to source a tyre it needed, and for me to insure it and get it taxed.... I checked underneath, heard the engine running, saw the headlights work, got the history.... I seem to have found my car, no rot, and mechanically sound, but so tatty it was cheap!

 

note: insurance £18 a month , classic policy.

 

got kev to sort the wheels and tyres!

 

 

Gave him a bit of a hand due to his knackered leg! lol...

 

 

and then she was ready to go back to her new home in Cumbria

 

 

NOW: I have driven MX5'd before , and loved it.. lets talk about the drive home, 150 miles done in it that day, after it had sat for three weeks NOT moving..... was it ok? bloody hell, it was awesome!

 

lets talk about the advantages of the eunos over MX5, the import, has a LSD (not all of them but this does) this is obviously better for the drive and handling its also better specced...

 

note: the import has 115bhp compaired to the original MX5's 90 bhp.... and beleive me 115bhp is good for such a light car!

 

the noise is incredible!!! its a bit flat until 5,000 revs (I'm used to the low down supercharger of the vRS) then it flies! all the way to 7,200 revs, and what a noise! standard exhaust too... you wouldnt be able to make cars with a noise like that under current regulations!..

 

engine was perfect , no smoke, no rattles or unusual noises, good smooth pull, awesome

 

gearbox: again. awesome, it snicks into place without even the slightest play on the gearlever, its SO precise, and almost as if you are sliding through a metal gate like a lambo!, small wrist movements, to snick into place... an absolute JOY to use.... again, no noises... a bit of transmission shunt, but I'm being a bit picky... no noise from the diff.... clutch a little heavy , and bites at the top, but NO slip (could it be the original clutch at 50k ? maybe... no sign of a replacement in the history.... maybe a thing for the future, but works perfectly for now..)

 

the speedo, now theres a problem.. it works... after a fashion, the miles is actually kilometers, and the face has been changed to miles an hour, but the calibration hasn't.. it doesn't read right.... I used the speedo on my satnav, this is on the list of things to do, good thing is the massive club support for these, and the hughe ammount of parts available!

 

fuel economy was good, put £30 of shell 99 in , and it used less than half of that to get back to cumbria

 

radio wasn't plugged in , kev hadn't ever used it, and had taken the speakers out the doors.... i plugged it in, and watched it lift the electric ariel up and down, so that works! it tuned itself in, but no sound as no speakers! lol... (I have ordered some off ebay for £15.) 

 

brakes feel a bit wooden, but NOT spongy, so fluid good, the stop in a straight line, and work well, handbrake good, no sticking calipers, no funny noises, my confidence grew as the miles went by! (note it started first time without issue after 3 weeks on his inlaws fron garden!)

 

.....  

 

 

anyway... we got home.... ash parked her car , and we gave it a look round and took a few pics....

 

 

roof down from the front.. you can see the "matt" front bumper, looks terrible and scratched to death from close up, will need sorting when the bodywork is done and the car then gets wrapped or painted...

 

NOTE: need a new lense for the next MOT in June, full of condensation... £15 from ebay two screws to fit! lol..

this is the roof...

 

 

cant believe my bloody luck ... this is almost new, and mohair, crack and leak free, almost perfect condition, clear window.... this roof is worth £400.. if the car snapped in half, and I sold the roof and leather interior I'd get my money back....

Ahh Dave I'm so jealous.  :'(

 

If I had a drive or even just room to work on one, I'd have snapped up a fix-up project just like this.

 

That car is an absolute bargain.

 

Let me know when I can have a drive

Now for the worst side of the car... this is what it used to look like when kev bought it as as rust bucket....

 

 

buggered eh?! some of these cars look awesome from the outside, and yet they are simply scrap when examined.....

 

kev fixed this.... I have seen photo evidence, of the cut out sections, and the "good" metal left that was then welded onto.....

 

finished sill and floor..

 

 

this is what it looks like from the outside...

 

 

rear arch.. this has a hole above the wheel, not shown that need welding, this is my forst job, then rustproofing what has beem done.....

 

 

is not going anywhere in the rain, except by accident, and is kept wrapped up at night!

 

Ahh Dave I'm so jealous.  :'(

 

If I had a drive or even just room to work on one, I'd have snapped up a fix-up project just like this.

 

That car is an absolute bargain.

 

Let me know when I can have a drive

I'm going to have to bring it to at least one trackday, just to lean how to tail slide it away from the public road! you are welcome to a drive, but its only insured for me on the classic policy, so you need the "drive other cars" on your insurance, then you can crack on I have only done it because I have the space (just) and hope it will be worth at least £5k when done .... (maybe 5 years from now?) it will be restored to ORIGINAL spec.... no modding

Interior is nice, but WRONG!

 

 

leather seats are a bit tatty, could be better, but they are a low priority for now, as they are the right seats for the car... dash is black, should be tan leather.. I have the tan leather trim courtesy of kev in the boot, but it needs rubbing down and painting, then fitting... an easy job for a summer day with a beer.....

 

the wheel, gear knob, and handbrake lever are wrong.... this car is a "V-spec" and needs wooden steering wheel gear knob and handbrake lever ! I need to keep an eye on ebay for cheap ones, and will replace as they come along (new wooden wheel £180! ) I have already ordered speakers for the door, and will get the hole plugged with the appropriate stereo and trim

 

edit: tan leather glove box cover in the centre console needed too!

pop-up headlights work (expensive fix!) all the lights and bulbs work.... and it has had a "mod" done so when you flash people, lights pop up, flash, then close again (they would normally stay open!) 

 

 

we had another sunny day the day after I picked baby phantom up... and I gave her a good check.. all fluids perfect, oil clean! lol... all fluids at max (apart from washer , filled that , and they work, EVERYTHING works! lol) history says coolant was checked 2012 and can stand to -21C... chassis legs clear of rot, underside could do with a treatment and seal to protect it... I need a ramp at some point this summer!!!

my plan is to restore this car to factory spec....

. 

 

the MR2 wheels must go... I have won these... pick them up sunday .....

 

 

they are original "daisy" wheels, correct for the car, 14 inch 185/60/14 tyres all good nick, £46! lol... i expect to get at least double that for the wheels that are on the car! they are 4x100 (skoda fit!) and here for sale  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201051323502?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

rear end

 

 

front.. hood up!

 

 

and thats it for now! watch this space!

 

 

Dave, " Why has Ash thrown White Sliced bread at it "

 

 

NOW: I have driven MX5'd before , and loved it.. lets talk about the drive home, 150 miles done in it that day, after it had sat for three weeks NOT moving..... was it ok? bloody hell, it was awesome!

 

lets talk about the advantages of the eunos over MX5, the import, has a LSD (not all of them but this does) this is obviously better for the drive and handling its also better specced...

 

note: the import has 115bhp compaired to the original MX5's 90 bhp.... and beleive me 115bhp is good for such a light car!

 

the noise is incredible!!! its a bit flat until 5,000 revs (I'm used to the low down supercharger of the vRS) then it flies! all the way to 7,200 revs, and what a noise! standard exhaust too... you wouldnt be able to make cars with a noise like that under current regulations!..

 

engine was perfect , no smoke, no rattles or unusual noises, good smooth pull, awesome

 

gearbox: again. awesome, it snicks into place without even the slightest play on the gearlever, its SO precise, and almost as if you are sliding through a metal gate like a lambo!, small wrist movements, to snick into place... an absolute JOY to use.... again, no noises... a bit of transmission shunt, but I'm being a bit picky... no noise from the diff.... clutch a little heavy , and bites at the top, but NO slip (could it be the original clutch at 50k ? maybe... no sign of a replacement in the history.... maybe a thing for the future, but works perfectly for now..)

 

the speedo, now theres a problem.. it works... after a fashion, the miles is actually kilometers, and the face has been changed to miles an hour, but the calibration hasn't.. it doesn't read right.... I used the speedo on my satnav, this is on the list of things to do, good thing is the massive club support for these, and the hughe ammount of parts available!

 

fuel economy was good, put £30 of shell 99 in , and it used less than half of that to get back to cumbria

 

radio wasn't plugged in , kev hadn't ever used it, and had taken the speakers out the doors.... i plugged it in, and watched it lift the electric ariel up and down, so that works! it tuned itself in, but no sound as no speakers! lol... (I have ordered some off ebay for £15.) 

 

brakes feel a bit wooden, but NOT spongy, so fluid good, the stop in a straight line, and work well, handbrake good, no sticking calipers, no funny noises, my confidence grew as the miles went by! (note it started first time without issue after 3 weeks on his inlaws fron garden!)

 

.....  

 

Sounds like you are pretty pleased bu I think you may need to do a bit more research...  

 

The 115bhp vs 90bhp tale.  Early 1.6's were ALL 115bhp and the 1.8's were 130bhp - only the later 1.6's that came in a year or so after the 1.8 was introdcued were only 90bhp and they were all basic cars on steelies.

 

In  terms of spec yes the imports can be higher depending upon model - lsd / air con and leather were the main differences but only the lsd is worth having - air con in a convertible - nah not in my experience...   Leather - woah it gets hot with the hood down so no thanks!

 

Anyhow sounds like you've got a half decent car that with a bit of work should be OK.

 

The exhaust noise is OK on a standard exhaust but get a stainless sports exhaust and an induction kit fitted and it'll sound so much better that you'll not be able to resist WOT!

 

At 50k miles it's likely to be the original clutch - mines on 68k with more power and i still perfect 19 years on.  If the pedal is biting high it's more likely to be the slave cylinder on it's way out but an easy fix nonetheless.

 

On the speedo side you can get adapters to keep the same gauge faces but convert the inputs from the gearbox from kph to mph - either that or change the guage faces.

 

Anyhow have fun and make sure you have decent tyres for when it rains - otherwise you may find yourself pointing in the wrong direction on roundabouts!

Edited 13 March, 201412 yr by skomaz

you have to "aim" the bird poo when the roof is down :P

you have to "aim" the bird poo when the roof is down :p

 

Don't joke - last year on the way to work I was 'got' so completely I had to turn round and go home for a shower and a change of clothes!

Sounds like you are pretty pleased bu I think you may need to do a bit more research...  

 

The 115bhp vs 90bhp tale.  Early 1.6's were ALL 115bhp and the 1.8's were 130bhp - only the later 1.6's that came in a year or so after the 1.8 was introdcued were only 90bhp and they were all basic cars on steelies.

 

In  terms of spec yes the imports can be higher depending upon model - lsd / air con and leather were the main differences but only the lsd is worth having - air con in a convertible - nah not in my experience...   Leather - woah it gets hot with the hood down so no thanks!

 

Anyhow sounds like you've got a half decent car that with a bit of work should be OK.

 

the exhaust noise is OK on a standard exhaust but get a stainless sports exhaust and an induction kit fitted and it'll sound so much better that you'll not be able to resist WOT!

 

At 50k miles it's likely to be the original clutch - mines on 68 with more power and i still perfect 19 years on.  If the pedal is biting high it's more likely to be the sloave cylinder on it's way out but an easy fix nonetheless.

 

On the speedo side you can get adapters to keep the same gauge faces but convert the inputs form the gearbox from from kph to mph - either that or change the guage faces.

 

Anyhow have fun and make sure you have decent tyres for when it rains - otherwise you may find yourself pointing in the wrong direction on roundabouts!

yea we have an owner yes i need to research, thanks for the info..... are you a member of any mx5 forums/clubs? I'm applying to join for info ect ect , what would you recommend?

 

I forgot! it does have aircon, and it does work perfectly! lol... but as you say... why? lol...

 

Don't want a stainless exhaust, i want to make it as original as I can, in the hope of it being a rare "unmolested" model when it comes time to sell on... bet it sounds awesome though with a zorst on

 

nice to hear the clutch will last ... slave cylinder was replaced 3 years ago, its in the history.... as I get used to the car, I will give it some power on the starts and see if it will handle it, i have been pretty gentle in the 150 miles I've done so far, just wanted it to get home incase there were any issues!

 

good to know about the speedo... dont know exactly whats been done, main numbers read mph, clocks deffo kph... needle doesn't read actual mph on the scale... I'm confused :( any idea what I need to do exactly? (thanks in advance) 

 

its not going out in the rain unless i get caught out! lol.... think the tyres on the daiseys I have bought are old pirelli P6's.....

 

Thanks! please keep an aye on the thread, and set me straight if I get any duff advice

Don't joke - last year on the way to work I was 'got' so completely I had to turn round and go home for a shower and a change of clothes!

oopos! was is a seagull type mahoosive ammount?! lol...

oh, and I need a n/s wing, the mess made by a previous owner trying to "roll" the edges isn't worth trying to make right when I can buy a good wing really cheap

yea we have an owner yes i need to research, thanks for the info..... are you a member of any mx5 forums/clubs? I'm applying to join for info ect ect , what would you recommend?

 

I forgot! it does have aircon, and it does work perfectly! lol... but as you say... why? lol...

 

Don't want a stainless exhaust, i want to make it as original as I can, in the hope of it being a rare "unmolested" model when it comes time to sell on... bet it sounds awesome though with a zorst on

 

nice to hear the clutch will last ... slave cylinder was replaced 3 years ago, its in the history.... as I get used to the car, I will give it some power on the starts and see if it will handle it, i have been pretty gentle in the 150 miles I've done so far, just wanted it to get home incase there were any issues!

 

good to know about the speedo... dont know exactly whats been done, main numbers read mph, clocks deffo kph... needle doesn't read actual mph on the scale... I'm confused :( any idea what I need to do exactly? (thanks in advance) 

 

its not going out in the rain unless i get caught out! lol.... think the tyres on the daiseys I have bought are old pirelli P6's.....

 

Thanks! please keep an aye on the thread, and set me straight if I get any duff advice

 

Hiya - and yep and owner of the same Mk1 for 16 years for my sins!

 

If you need any advice shout - more than happy to help out.

 

I'm on the MX5OC and used to be on MX5Mods (now dead) and also MX5Nutz.  For you and keeping it original I'd suggest the OC rather than Nutz - the latter tend to be into modifying but are a good and VERY knowledgable bunch.

 

Speedo sounds like the faces may have been changed at some stage but possibly not with the right ones and without a convertor...

 

Tyres-wise the originals would have been Dunlop D89 specifically made for the MX5 but absolutely lethal in the wet - I'd go for something modern and rain biased personallyif you are changing the ones on the 7 spoke minilite reps.

Edited 13 March, 201412 yr by skomaz

yeah I hear mx5nutz you weren't welcome unless it was slammed! lol..... I have just joined the oc, will post tomorow... whats your name on there? I'd like to go to a few meets/drives ect , i have seen MX5 convoys through the lakes here in the summer!

 

another import specific, my car seems to be lower than the mx5 is it true the eunos has lower springs than the UK model?

 

Thanks.