Description
Clearly not an MGB. Sorry, I didn't mean to fool you, just to get your attention to consider Phyliss ('cos that's her name) instead of an MGB or Midget etc that you might be able to get for similar money.
1996 registered. Used at least twice a week, so mileage will go up.
You might not want a MX5 Mk1 with a supercharger, free flow exhaust or upgraded cooling, upgraded brakes, better wheels and tyres or upgraded chassis or suspension, which cost £6, 500 even while spending a year to find good second-hand parts to avoid the expense of new ones. And if you don't want those that's fine. Just spend £4-6k on the nicest car you can find without them (I know of one for £5, 500). You'll still enjoy the car. It'll still go up in value. If you only want a standard one, that's the one for you. But if you want a special one, with over £13k spend on her, for only £5k more, read on:
Phyliss's performance extras:
Jackson Racing supercharger kit, ECU and boost gauge.
Zircotek coated four branch exhaust manifold and mid pipe. Cobalt rear exhaust. Has a massive tailpipe that might optionally be reduced in size to further assist with the “sleeper” look. This lot combined makes great sounds from most revs - and then the supercharger joins in at higher revs.
Headlamp intake vents to let in ambient temp air for the engine to breathe, which allows it to make more power or use less fuel.
All the above seems to make about 155hp and plenty of torque. Would easily go to 200hp or more with intercooler, injectors, and reduction pulley. I have not felt the need for that.
I added power steering. Essential at lower speeds even on a little car. Unless I'm just a wimp? Update: I’ve just discovered that a previous owner mistakenly put a higher heated power steering rack in without adding the power steering. I feel less of a wimp now. 2. 8 compared with 3. 3 turns lock to lock.
As-new MX5 Arctic 15x6 wheels with good new B grip rated tyres (Jan '22) and 17mm spacers to clear the larger brakes and to tastefully fill the wheel-arches.
Complete suspension rebuild including larger Mk2. 5 anti roll bars, MeisterR CRD 32 way adjustable coilovers with ride height and precision alignment and camber by Suspension Secrets - set for fast road use with quick turn in but low tyre wear. She sits a little lower now, especially at the front, than in the pics. Sublime. Do not compare with the handling and comfort of any ordinary MX5.
A refurbished and stronger Torsen 2 limited slip differential, driveshafts, propshaft and brakes with high specification Roddisons brake pads, all from a 1. 8 Mk2. 5 Sport MX5. Braided lines, uprated fluid, and a master cylinder stopper (stops the brake booster from flexing so gives much more feel to the brake pedal).
Refurbished rear and middle braces from a Mk2. 5, making her much more solid, further improving handling, and removing many of the “normal” Mk1 noises.
Bigger IL Motorsports aluminium radiator and cap with uprated silicone coolant hoses. Dashboard operated switch to put the radiator fan on manually (completely unnecessary as the car is very well cooled, but the previous owner who fitted it once owned a Triumph Stag which would overheat very easily). Stainless plate on top of the radiator to help ensure incoming air flows through the radiator and not around it.
£6, 500 has been spent on the above, making her able to keep up with all modern traffic. She now also handles as well as a modern MX5.
The appearance and other items include:
Cavities rust-sealed and chassis Waxoyled annually. Due to be checked and topped up now.
Beautiful to use and behold Moto Lita steering wheel, boss kit, horn push kit.
400w Alpine Bluetooth hands free phone compatible head unit with upgraded and extra speakers.
Tan hood, with zip out rear window, all working perfectly. Recently waterproofed with two brushed coats (a full 500ml can) of Fabsil.
Correct Mk1 black tonneau cover.
Very comfy Mk2/ NB seats and re-upholstery in black leather.
Clear side repeaters, clear bumper reflectors (some fitted after the pics).
Extra instruments and pod.
Aluminium speaker grilles, window winders, coolant tank, mirrors, vent rings.
Electric aerial.
Central locking. Two sets of keys. A tiny spring in the driver's door broke through old age recently. I ordered two new ones, assuming the passenger side would need doing soon. The spare will come with the car.
Strap to raise and lower the roof and a draught excluder to stop the zip-out plastic window getting damaged.
Flash-to-pass mod done to headlights, which are now the Rayrig version – twice as bright, twice as white, twice the length of beam. Whiter brighter Osram Night Breaker 200% brighter bulbs. The left hand headlight motor wore out recently. Like a lot of the car, I've had it replaced. The original (?) will come with the car for refurbishment in another 26 years. Apparently left hand motors are scarce because they can be adapted to work Lotus Elan lights. Oh, the irony!
LED front side lights with improved, less brittle wiring looms. Very bright and very white. They help you be seen.
2 reversing lights.
GV front lip.
Recent floormats.
New front Eunos badge that some say looks a lot like a Lotus badge, thus giving the impression, along with the chrome etc, that she’s a 1970s Elan. I couldn’t possibly comment, except to mention how much of a better car she is to use in every respect than an Elan or any other 70s British sports car (although I have a soft spot for them too). Matching tyre valve caps and key ring fobs.
Massive service history and receipts folder (5. 5" thick) from 2001 . Evidence of all previous owners.
There will be further modifications and improvements that I have forgotten or missed.
Ordinary MX5 Mk1s/ NAs are going up in value about 10-15% per year. Phyliss is not an ordinary MX5, or an ordinary car, and if kept in the condition she’s in now I believe she’ll go up in value at a faster rate.
I think there are maybe four noticeable imperfections in the paint, two of which you’ll see easily if you look for them. I’m still cursing myself for my clumsiness in causing one of them.
Even the spare wheel and tyre have been updated – albeit in 2003. Bear in mind it won't fit over the bigger brakes, so it might as well stay at home. As Colin Chapman said - for more speed add lightness.
One of the extra gauges has some condensation in it and the light in the other one isn’t all that bright. Chris (two owners ago) may have used the wiring for the lower interior lights for these gauges, because the former don’t work at the time of writing. The upper middle one does though.
The car has had one low speed tap that I know of, as will have a large proportion of 26 year old cars. The quality of the repair is 100%, such that neither my regular mechanics nor the specialist alignment shop could tell me which part of the car had been affected.
When fixing the lock spring in the driver's door we discovered that the window bushes were brand new, so there was no point fitting new ones again.
The 5 speed gearboxes in these are the best gearchange in any MX5, which is saying something, and hold up to 225hp, so that’s covered.
The engine is sweet as a nut, having been properly serviced all its life (oil changed with Miller's fully synthetic in Jan 2022). It pulls well from low down, and revs freely with rather nice sounds from the uprated exhaust and manifold and a whine from the supercharger.
Finally, especially if you always have the pop-up lights up as I do (so I'm visible), people tend to let you out at junctions, and young lads and older blokes shout "nice car mate" when you have the roof down (which should be 90% of the time, as the heater is very good, and winter tops and hats are available in many shops!).
P24RUL registration comes with the car. Most people think it’s a private reg but it’s just correct for 1996 and randomly happened to have only six digits.
Only ever silly things mentioned on MOTs and no mention whatsoever of the "r" or "c" words associated with lesser cared for MX5s.
Any inspection welcome. If you instruct and pay a garage near to me, I'll take her there. If you want me to bring her to you for inspection by you or your mechanic, I'll bring her to you as long as you cover my fuel costs. I'm retired so don't need to be paid to have a trip out in my MX5!
Optional exhaust tailpipe size reduction also included if I've not already done it. It won't affect performance but you might prefer the more subtle look.
Yes, as someone has suggested, you could add a lot of these enhancements to a mk2 or a 2. 5. But then you'd have a non-appreciating asset, no pop-up headlights, etc, etc.
Price will gradually go up as we get nearer to Spring. An excellent 70s Rolex Oyster will be considered as part payment, as would a cheap-but-good automatic car. Can be somewhat battered on the outside but must be great inside and mechanically.
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