Lucmor's NA6

[lucmor444]

Hi

Only recently picked up my 1991 White NA6 and as a result also joined this forum and the VicTas MX-5 club.

My MX-5 was a bit of an impulse buy. I will be retiring in less than 2 years and wanted something to play with leading up to and after that 'momentous' event.

I started looking at Fiat X1-9s because they have appealed to me since my teen's when I would read Road and Track magazine in my school library rather than studying. Saw a great comparison test between the Fiat and a range of other small sports cars available at that time in the States (eg Triumph TR7 and Spitfire, MGB etc). The Fiat won that comparison and was really the 'exotic' being designed by Bertone, mid-engine with DOHC etc amongst a lot of older, very traditional cars.

A bit more research into the Fiat made me realise it probably wasn't the car for me. Surprisingly I could fit into it comfortably (I am 185cm tall) however, like most vehicles of similar genetic origin, they are very susceptible to metal cancer. Parts are also getting hard to find, there are not many units around and the forums on the model are few and relatively quite. So I figured the lovely little Italian would be asking too much of me in a relationship, particularly where my skill set is mostly lacking in mechanical ability.

So what other options for a small, simple, classic sporting car could I consider?

That was easy.

I recalled becoming somewhat familiar with one of the first MX-5s in Australia back in '89. My martial arts instructor was quite wealthy and had a range of cars. He subsequently decided to try out this new sports car from Mazda and got one off the first shipment. Red of course. I lusted after that car many a night after I finished training, seeing him drive off while I was usually under the bonnet of my $500 HT wagon freeing up my locked 3 on the tree gear box linkages so I could get going.

A number of years later I also remembered consoling a work colleague quite distraught about his pending fatherhood. When asked what was upsetting about such an exciting event he revealed that his wife was making him sell his beloved MX-5. He had owned his pride and joy for 15 years since new but because they needed a car for 3 and the MX-5, for all of it's fine attributes, just didn't have that particular capability it had to go.

So the MX-5 landed on top of my list. Further investigation revealed they are regularly available, as expected have great reliability, have a dedicated and loyal group of followers posting all sort of advice to guide the novice, have parts that are readily available and there is a myriad of aftermarket options supporting an owner to make their MX-5 their very own unique example.

So not one to procrastinate I bought the second MX-5 I saw. A white 1991 NA6 in reasonable/good condition with some minor engine/suspension mods. A great little drive but clearly that is a universal comment from all owners.

In hindsight I probably went out too quickly but I am not one to live a life of regret so I am a happy camper.

I have worked out most of what I want to do with my car. I am not expecting to do much mechanically as that is not my forte and am happy with its current state. I expect to limit myself to some additional bracing, brake upgrade and an LSD. Engine power is also not something I lust after.

Most of my attention will be cosmetic. I will refresh the interior, update the exterior trim parts and eventually get the body resprayed (and the very minor dings obviously repaired during that respray).

I am already building up my stockpile of parts and have a shopping list of future purchases.

I had my first 'experience' with my car last weekend when I was looking at a different option for its existing cold air intake (CIA). Unfortunately in my laziness/ignorance I removed the sensor cable from the air filter meter (AFM) by unscrewing the unscrewable. Suddenly my little MX-5 that was starting first turn every turn was now playing hard to get. My best friend Google made it clear where I had gone wrong! Thankfully I have been rescued by BlackLeaf who quickly sent me on a spare AFM he had and which I received yesterday. All things going well and assuming I have the time on Sunday to reroute my CIA I'll be back on the road within the week using the new club plates I got on Wednesday.

I expect that I will have a 2 year plus journey in getting my MX-5 to the point where I will just be mainly cleaning and driving it. So don't expect a lot of activity on this thread to start with but as I go I will post my progress. Here is a poor quality photo I took for club registration purposes. As well as lacking mechanical skills I am also no photographer (I can make a good pesto sauce though!).

MX-5 profile.JPG

Anyway, to get the ball rolling my first 'mod' has been to remove the rear mudflaps.

mudflap.JPG

That took a lot longer than anticipated. The bottom retaining clips on these flaps are a real bugger! They are plastic and retain the nut of the affixing bolt but the plastic wasn't strong enough to hold the nut. The bolt and nut subsequently just spin around together rather loosening. Got the right hand one off eventually but in the end had to cut through the bolt on the left hand side.

The right hand side still wanted to play games with me however as the top part of the flap had also been affixed with silastic:

no mudflap.JPG

Took a bit of work to get this stuff off but both rear guards are now mudguard free and just need a little clean up/polish so you can't tell where the mudflaps have been before. Forgot to take any 'after' photos but will rectify that in my next update (nothing very exciting at all but each step is taking me closer to my goal!).

[BlackLeaf]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club!

[smy0003]

I know for a fact you have some pretty bling pieces to but on this car already

[Gladiator]

Welcome mate. I bought my NA6 when I was 50 for many of the same reasons you did. Enjoy it. I sure am.


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[lucmor444]

I know for a fact you have some pretty bling pieces to but on this car already

Thx Rohan - nice to catch up again today.

Will be adding bling to bling!

Here's is one addition to your previous gauge set:

rear demister light.JPG

I will use it for the rear demister warning light.

[lucmor444]

Welcome mate. I bought my NA6 when I was 50 for many of the same reasons you did. Enjoy it. I sure am.


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Thx Gladiator - I am already enjoying it!

[smy0003]

I have some pilot lights which match exactly to the KG Works ones. They are somewhere in my collection of oddities. Happy to post them to you if that's something you'd be interested in.

[lucmor444]

I have some pilot lights which match exactly to the KG Works ones. They are somewhere in my collection of oddities. Happy to post them to you if that's something you'd be interested in.

That would be great - I'll pm you.

[billybunter]

I had a fiat x19 when it was near new -like about 12 months old and I think your pretty lucky you didn't go down that road. although I must confess the x19 was a very good handling sports car -that is if you call a car with 1300 or 1500cc a sports car

plus the name FIAT. you know it actually stands for Found In A Tip

but swing back to 1980 and I would say it was a crowd pleaser and attracted a few fans. those girls would be well into their mid 50's now...

[lucmor444]

I had a fiat x19 when it was near new -like about 12 months old and I think your pretty lucky you didn't go down that road. although I must confess the x19 was a very good handling sports car -that is if you call a car with 1300 or 1500cc a sports car

plus the name FIAT. you know it actually stands for Found In A Tip

but swing back to 1980 and I would say it was a crowd pleaser and attracted a few fans. those girls would be well into their mid 50's now...

Ah memories...........

Would have been great back then but as you indicated - not so good now! I am very happy I went with the MX-5 instead
.

[lucmor444]

Been busy with other things recently but did get a chance to change around my Cold Air Intake (unfortunately I forgot to take a 'before' photo):

CAI.jpg

Still need to tie down my washer bottle and to take it for a drive to see how it goes (I honestly don't expect any difference but do hope for a bit more induction noise).

[lucmor444]

Slowly does it for me.

Added a front shock tower brace. Was originally nice and shiny but had some scratches and was discoloured from a sticker. So went for the brushed look with a bit of emery paper. Painted the brackets but wasn't happy with my first go so stripped them again and then repainted them. Not sure of the make (picked it up from Gumtree) but it is very sturdy (it can take my 82kgs with no flex) and has a master cylinder brace.

brace.JPG

[lucmor444]

I have also been able to source some Marrad LX1 seats to add to my stockpile of parts. These, along with most of my other parts, will be fitted after I get the car resprayed in around 18 months time.

[lucmor444]

Well this thread was short lived! I sold the car today (at least deposit paid) after upgrading to 1996 MX-5.

I anticipate less 'work'/additions on the new car but have roughly similar plans to what was intended for the NA6, at least for the interior.

Not sure if I will do a build thread on the new car but will wait and see after I pick it up.

[smy0003]

The 1.8 is a nice upgrade, and selling the NA6 is a painless way to do it.
What colour?