Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) MX5 dilemma

UK spec and original supply aren't far behind imported Eunos in the rot stakes!
Good luck with the other side

My pal Richard had a Eunos MX5 Series 1 that he used for hill climbs, auto solos and track days.................,
A very proficient mechanic he said the worst job was replacing the rusted and leaking fuel tank, as all the rear suspension has to come off. But it does make cutting out the rest strut top rust easier.

I was out with him when he ran the big ends on the two rear cylinders.... what a wonderful old fashioned noise! It needed a reground crank.
The car had a big sticker on the boot "No Hairdressing Equipment Carried"...

This thread stirred a memory.

Dad serviced our cars.. he used the waste engine oil to spray inside every box section he could find and also the inside of the doors.
The car dripped oil for about a month... but as he said, it was better than putting the oil down the road drain....

Happy days...

Thats the clincher. Its not a piece of transport or an investment but a piece of fun

Well one side is done, not the prettiest but it’s solid again. Can’t get to the other side on my lifter without the car sticking out of the garage so it’ll be going to the menders this week.

Fair compromise I think. One for me and one for him.

Peter,
Happy days are still here in Yorkshire, I have just serviced Jill's little Suzuki and painted the old engine oil on to any surface rust on the underside. £20 in materials for a full service and rustproofing, these are the days....

My son has an MX5 NA for seven years that got a complete overhaul a few weeks ago, new sills, etc. He loves his car very much. There is also an economic aspect. He bought the car first hand from an older lady with 120000 km after 24 years for 1,600€. Meanwhile they are sold in good condition as his is now again for more than 10.000€. On the one hand they are very popular and on the other hand very many MX5 do not survive for the reasons discussed so they will get rare.

The same will soon be true for subsequent generations of the MX5. Therefore, if I were you, I would remove all rust damage and protect the car better against corrosion than a new one was. Your MX5 will never be cheaper but much more valuable if it survives the next years with rust protection.

I owned one of the first MX-5s made, and it had lived for many years in a wet side street, and had been through quite a few owners prior to me getting it in 2006. I sold it in 2019ish, after many happy years. There's a long thread with videos where I cover the restoration of it, and compare it to all the other MX5 models, online here - https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/articles/total-restoration-of-one-of-the-oldest-mx-5s-around/

Long story short - I got fed up with an electrical niggle which came from a mouse having snacked on the loom. The subsequent owner found and fixed it within minutes (!). Also, the endless chasing of rust got on my tits. It lived in a dry garage during my ownership and had c.80 hours of welding, bodywork and other restoration by an excellent local company (Thrussington garage, MX5 geeks)... but the damn rust never went away. After I sold it, it had the arches done (again) and a back end respray. I got to the point where chucking money at it became annoying. My daughter cried when it went, we loved that car, it went everywhere and was huge fun. It was sort of replaced with my Elise, but, frankly, I'd be very happy with a minty, early Eunos V-Spec in BGG and tan. If I could find one.

I've driven every MX5, including the Fiat 124, and my favourite all-rounder would be a late Mk3.5 2.0 Sport. But I'd keep it dry, waxoiled and away from this lousy weather if possible.

Hello, G633 NNH, if you're out there. I still love you, y'know.

Rusty tits Rich? Sounds like a visit to the doctors is in order.

Yes, I’ve bitten the bullet and it’s currently being done. Only two areas need work which are at the rear of both sills and I’ve done one side myself.

The rust proofing looks very thorough and takes a week including drying time. Trouble is the car was bone dry but I had to take it in through torrential rain so it’ll be 2-3 day drying before he starts the job