Mark's MX-5 Build

[Nismo1982]

After spending some time getting the man cave in order and treating myself to some new tools I eventually got started on the build.

Build table's first load test thanks to Nismo the cat...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LRJU8kqEPzE/UbZMxUciGaI/AAAAAAAAB_M/c7TJWDXKhnI/s640/IMAG0374.jpg

Finally level and ready to go:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jopMfrYfrxo/UbZMxcaGxWI/AAAAAAAAB_M/1O-vxc7OTaQ/s640/IMAG0381.jpg

All marked up and blocks in place:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2NApDPsP_us/Ub2nnZiJYrI/AAAAAAAACAs/JCJr34yGhAE/s640/IMAG0420.jpg

[Nismo1982]

I had planned to wait until the chassis was complete before getting a donor car...but thought I would keep an eye on the local ads anyway just in case. Eventually spotted a little beauty only a few miles away so went along for a look and a test drive. A short while later it was back in my driveway!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bet_7J9X4qQ/UbuXles8qcI/AAAAAAAACAI/fgyq_y0jawU/s640/IMAG0339.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RfFmaM5kBHc/UbuXlSvxK3I/AAAAAAAACAI/_0WQt-_yTdk/s640/IMAG0347.jpg

I had to wash it when I got it home as it had been a bit neglected over the winter...now it looks great. It's a 1.8 Eunos and had failed its MOT on rotten sills but had no other issues. Engine & box seemed strong so I will hopefully just be able to chuck it straight in the roadster when I'm ready. Longer term plan after IVA will be to rebuild it and stick on a wee turbo.

[Nismo1982]

Steel arrived and I got cracking on with the base rails:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L7PEwjckF8Q/Ub2nndoQJmI/AAAAAAAACAs/qK5nXd7W0w8/s640/IMAG0430.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Jvb3-3WDctg/Ub2nnUj34AI/AAAAAAAACAs/YyqxD3P8fMc/s640/IMAG0439.jpg

The Rage3s mitre saw I am using works a treat - great for cutting the angles with its laser marker. I had great fun laying the base rails and got them all down in one afternoon.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UB2gaSrAmXU/Ub2nnQXsMTI/AAAAAAAACAs/ApCfk-3Wgow/s640/IMAG0444.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H9jTJC5XQ_s/Ub2nne2-qjI/AAAAAAAACAs/SLw7_wV8L5k/s640/IMAG0442.jpg

That's me up to date now. I have not done anything for the last 2 weekends as I am waiting on welding gas but also had to make sure I spend some time with the girlfriend - need to keep her on side!
We are out for the whole afternoon today but tomorrow = build day!!!

Will be aiming to get the front frame done, all the base rails tacked up and maybe started on the uprights.

Cheers

Mark

[ayjay]

Looking good:)
Keep the pics coming:D

[Dualist]

Thats a nice donor, shame to pull it apart. Good strong table too.
And most important of all quick access to kitchen.. and fridge.. and beer :D

[Nismo1982]

Yes it does look a good donor in the pics but it really is quite rotten underneath and had many attempts to fix / hide it by the looks of things.

Got in the garage on Sunday to have a couple of attempts at the front frame! Nice wee pile of scrap metal starting now. Think I'm happy with the 2nd attempt as it fitted back into the jig after being fully welded (a tad too hot as well I think!). Got all the base rails tacked up and the uprights started as well so quite a productive Sunday afternoon.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5qFhQa2AaLU/UcdTL7UrX5I/AAAAAAAACGk/I4yULIiYkXw/s640/IMAG0456.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p1R7CBXis8A/UcdTLxNelCI/AAAAAAAACGk/BSGWR0Wj2fQ/s640/IMAG0458.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3bpoPhKjZKc/UcdTLzjMOSI/AAAAAAAACGk/U9RwIkNDZkQ/s640/IMAG0461.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oL2iY6CHZh4/UcdTL7wjUKI/AAAAAAAACGk/VYfJEE90CbE/s640/IMAG0462.jpg

[thailoz]

keep up the good work

[Nismo1982]

Had a few days work on the chassis since my last post. Loving seeing it take shape now! Just wish I could get more time in the garage. After summer hols I will get some time off work to push things on a bit!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TvZRMhwun_o/UdsjsImwgdI/AAAAAAAACNI/zWYEeTpQC_Y/s640/IMAG0476.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p9LMrbTYdsw/UdsjsFYgwYI/AAAAAAAACNI/lthhmCx_i_g/s640/IMAG0490.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1-UvASQ2xZw/UfVrs7vAI-I/AAAAAAAACfk/8Pkd1w-n-dU/s640/IMAG0532.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U76JooFsfVE/UfVrs5wpm_I/AAAAAAAACfk/UFwH_o8XKIM/s640/IMAG0535.jpg

[Nismo1982]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D8wSxkGL3ZY/UfVwijrs0oI/AAAAAAAACgA/TxyLeoXYYhM/s640/IMAG0552.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x28Q2bH44xs/UfVvU8t5hyI/AAAAAAAACf0/8X5j-zb3EL4/s640/IMAG0544.jpg

[Oscar]

Very nice, taking shape quickly!
You made sure it'll get out of the door before you go too far ;)

[Nismo1982]

You made sure it'll get out of the door before you go too far ;)

:eek:

No its fine really...standard sized single garage door at the front! :D

[Nismo1982]

Happy New Year all!

Wow its been ages since my last update - things are going pretty slowly as I dont get much time in the garage these days :(
Will get some pics up when I get home but chassis is almost finished and ready to be fully welded. Have started to strip the MX5 too so will have engine out soon.

Just before xmas my wishbones arrived from Phil @ Talon which was very exciting - they look great and will save me loads of time now not having to make them myself, so thanks Phil!
Next delivery will be Phil's new MX5 diff cover so another thing to look forward to soon.

Plan this year will be to have a rolling chassis with engine and running gear fitted :D

All the best for 2014 everyone!

Mark

[locost-turbo]

looking fab!! I love the heating [oil rad and kitchen) sometimes I wish I had integrated garage. instead I have 2 brick out buildings. I share with the mice :0). need telli on the wall and you'd never leave. nice work though.

[Nismo1982]

I'm baaaaack!!!

Since my last post many things have cropped up which meant the roadster was put on the back burner for a while...

Spent almost all of last year rennovating a little flat as a project, and as these things always go...it took wayyy longer than expected. Finally got it sold in October 2014 - then went on holiday and got engaged :eek:

The Mrs. (to be) didnt want to hang about so booked the wedding for July 2015 which meant lots of planning and visting venues & shops took up the first half of this year :rolleyes:

So now I am a married man, back from honeymoon and really really wanting to get back into the garage to play! With a free day on the cards tomorrow I intend to get out there and get to work on getting the engine out of the rapidly corroding MX-5 that's still sitting in the driveway (further incentive is that I'm not allowed any new toys until the MX-5 is gone!).

Sorry I have been away for so long but it's good to still see a lot of familiar names kicking around and I look forward to catching up on everyone else's builds too!

Mark