Started pulling bits of the MX-5 . .

AtomicBanana · 25 Apr 2009 at 19:09

So, after the accident I've finally had some time to pull some bits off the car. Today I managed the bonnet (easy) and the front bumper (oh god not easy!).

Gave me a better chance to see what the damage is:

I've taken some bits from a red eunos that was being broken. Got front bumper, bonnet, driver side wing, lighting unit and a few other little bits for about 200 quid. I imagine there are a few other bits I need, but I need to find out what they are called first

I'm also loving the polystyrene in the nose cone, has that really been there almost 20 years?

KNiVES · 25 Apr 2009 at 19:40

You crashed an MX5?

Howard · 25 Apr 2009 at 19:50

Seeing the car in that condition, hurts. The first picture makes it look like it's got one eye, and a fat lip

Poor car

Glad you're fixing it though :cool:

AtomicBanana · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:03

KNiVES said:
You crashed an MX5?

Yep - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17998657

Tomorrow I'm going to try and take the front wing off, as well as the bit at the front that shapes the nose. Hopefully then I know exactly where I stand in terms of what needs doing underneath!

Howard said:
Seeing the car in that condition, hurts. The first picture makes it look like it's got one eye, and a fat lip

Yep, the other headlight is still wedged into the car as you can see.. getting that out will require judicious use of a big hammer I think.

I don't think it's really going to work out economical to repair, but I don't really care to be honest. I see it as character building, a part of me and the car's history. Sad but I'm quite attached to the ol' girl and don't feel someone else gets to choose when it ends

Howard · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:05

I'd offer to lend a hand if you lived nearby!

alex24 · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:05

Good to see you're having a go at getting it fixed matey, keep us posted!

AtomicBanana · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:08

Howard said:
I'd offer to lend a hand if you lived nearby!

Hahah, cheers, eventually there will be a photo of our cars next to each other.. I've only missed the last (I think) two opportunities.

The big question is.. Can I still take it to the ring in a months time? :S

http://www.mazdaontrack.co.uk/nurburgring-trip-2009-25-c.asp

I have a week to decide (before I need to pay!).

Howard · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:10

Yeah, just get cracking

Bring it to the next mini south meet

Berger · 25 Apr 2009 at 20:13

Needs a new slam pannel which I imagine will be welded on so you would have to drill the welds off a scrapper and then remove yours and have the other welded on.

AtomicBanana · 25 Apr 2009 at 21:08

Berger said:
Needs a new slam pannel which I imagine will be welded on so you would have to drill the welds off a scrapper and then remove yours and have the other welded on.

Is this the bit with the bonnet catch on, above the nose shaper, that's really bent into the radiator? I figured that's what I'd have to do, I'll have to ask around to see who the hell can get that part for me; I already have friends/family to do the rest.

Berger · 25 Apr 2009 at 21:19

AtomicBanana said:
Is this the bit with the bonnet catch on, above the nose shaper, that's really bent into the radiator? I figured that's what I'd have to do, I'll have to ask around to see who the hell can get that part for me; I already have friends/family to do the rest.

Yeah, have a look how it attaches but you will need a replacement.

AtomicBanana · 25 Apr 2009 at 21:31

Yeah, that's what I *thought* it was called, but wasn't sure. I've done repairs and stuff here and there, but this is the most damage I've done to a car that I intend to do the ground work on myself. I'm going to try and take some more off tomorrow, so will find out, I do imagine it welds on though. Somehow will have to find a replacement . . .

paintguy · 25 Apr 2009 at 22:17

AtomicBanana said:
I don't think it's really going to work out economical to repair,

I'd agree!

I wish you the best of luck with it though, but I'd certainly try and have a good look around an undamaged one before you go any further, concentrating on the area marked in this pic:

It appears very badly crushed and folded to me, and seems to have gone back a long way. There's a possibility of pulling it something like straight with a jig or dozer, but failing that you're talking a very structural repair by changing the inner wing/chassis rail.

In fact that whole area stretching back to the strut top doesn't look too clever. They are designed to crumple in the event of an accident to absorb the impact, and yours definitely looks to have done its job.

It has been a while since I've been under the bonnet of an MX5 though, so I may be wrong. Let's hope that I am

Howard · 25 Apr 2009 at 23:54

Can I have dibs on some parts if you scrap it?

Dogbreath · 26 Apr 2009 at 02:03

paintguy said:
I'd agree!

I wish you the best of luck with it though, but I'd certainly try and have a good look around an undamaged one before you go any further, concentrating on the area marked in this pic:

I tend to agree, the inner wing looks like it's in a pretty sorry state, so some very careful measurements around the chassis rail are needed to see if it's been moved. If so, then the car will probably need to be jigged at a minimum. Many chassis rails have a weak area built in around the inner wing area so they collapse progressively. If this has happened a new chassis rail will need to be welded in which is certainly not a trivial job.

You can get a good shell for £250+vat. Obviously there's a lot of work to move everything over, but you could just cut out any repair sections you need to weld into yours.

Lopéz · 26 Apr 2009 at 09:11

That doesn't look to clever - as far as I can see you've lost some of the shape in the inner wing, has the turret appeared to move at all?

Mazda repair panels seem hard to come by so cutting bits off a knackered shell (or a straight reshell) may be the best option.

fastwunz · 26 Apr 2009 at 09:30

Not to put a cloud over your head but from my relatively decent experience - that sir, looks like a 'chuck it and start again' job. Seriously unless you are absoloutely sure no structural damage has occured that will effetively kill you if you crash again, then dont touch it with a barge pole. Scrap it, buy another and start a new love affair.

They are great cars and i think this one may have served its purpose in life and death - was great to drive and protected you when it eventually got a bashing.

Its up to you but i would take your personal safety first rather than any memories of the car. You can pick up a newer and better one probably for less than you may think.

I feel your pain though, MX5's are one of the greatest 'drivers' cars ever.

Peter Diffey · 26 Apr 2009 at 10:30

I wouldnt know where to start repairing that, it looks like an utter nightmare.

As others have said, may be easier and cheaper to scrap it

mattpc · 26 Apr 2009 at 10:47

Hi that looks nasty mate, but well done for diving in there to fix it. Is it worth showing it to somebody who really knows what they are doing beore going any further?

Kitchster_uk · 26 Apr 2009 at 10:50

My suggestion would be to break the car, sell everything off it to fund a new one. You'll get your money back off the parts you've bought, then you can sell the wheels for c.£100, the calipers for £100-£150 depending on age/condition, £100 min for the seats and you're at £550 straight off. Add in undamaged lights, the soft top, few more body panels, rear bumper, boot lid, relays/switches and you've got to be closing in on £900-£1k and you'll pick up an MX-5 for that, maybe not a good one but it's not out of the question. Any other bits you can sell off the original will fund doing the new one up.

Just a thought.