Convertible Conversion
Maybe it is the timeless appeal of a wind-in-the-hair drive through the countryside in an open-top roadster - or just a nostalgic journey back to a lost youth; re-run with the benefit of valuable skills, experience and funds!
Friends speak fondly of their Mazda MX-5 convertible (theirs in Mk.3 form) but I think the Mk.1 version is a modern classic; a homage to the original, agile Lotus Elan. There are a few good cars online but prices are higher than my budget ~ there are more Mk.2's flaunting their curves under shiny metallic skins with lower mileages and prices....
It's the time to stop dreaming and start acting - it's the end of summer when surplus toys are discarded - and pick up a bargain winter project that will be ready for the road in spring!
When yet another potential buy falls through; another promising project fails to materialise - another scan of all the available online advertisements recommences ~ too expensive, too old, too far, wrong engine, wrong alloys, wrong interior, wrong colour ~ in desperation an overpriced car in a nearby dealership is seized upon and an email issued forthwith.
The next day the email rings to the sound of incoming messages; the dealer wants a deposit to even reserve the car until viewing; it looks tidy in the photos, genuine mileage, full service history, hardtop included - but overpriced - I hesitate.
The next message is from a previous seller with bad news - his buyer has not arrived with the deposit as promised and replies to his phonecall with the bombshell he cannot get the cash together - am I still interested?
Online viewing of the MOT history reveals a few advisories last test but no history of rusting or neglect. A vehicle data check confirms no HP, theft or insurance write-off. A long phonecall ensues with the seller; he has the vehicle MOT'd, taxed and insured until the end of the year, will include the hardtop in the deal and crucially will drive the car 100+ miles to me the next day.
After a thorough chassis check, test drive and run though the paperwork a deal is struck and the car parked up.
It is unlikely to find one of these cars in mint condition at any age; they tend to be used as intended and driven fairly hard - maybe even neglected slightly in the undercarriage. If used all-year round they will be exposed to road grit and salt and susceptible to rust typically around the wheel-arches and cills.
This car is no exception with the paint bubbling and a few spots at the rear of the cills are affected by
rust; the n/s passenger cill above, the o/s drivers below.
Plenty of stone-chips around the front grille and a dent on the bootlid, directly over high-level brake light too. A small repair with filler restores the characteristic boot profile after a few layers are smoothed out, below.
The front number plate holder is loose and investigations reveal minor bumps have enlarged the holes in the bumper; these are refilled and a new adhesive number plate added.
As water seems to have been entering the bootlid's inner skin, where the number plate lights are housed, and leading to some rusting, the opportunity is taken to reseal the brake light unit with black silicon sealant. The rear Mazda logo is removed and the holes also filled and refinished.
