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I was thinking classic white for mine, but was waiting to see how yours looked in old english, I don't want mine to look modern, but I don't want it to look fuzzy like in the old days either, especialy as I've just spent a fortune on fitting wheels from a 1982 308. Better pictures requierd for insperation.
That said, looking again the lines on the car are spot on, sometimes I have to check to see why I bought one, then I know why, its worth the effort! Not everyones cup of tea but a classic 60's style sports car.
I was thinking classic white for mine, but was waiting to see how yours looked in old english, I don't want mine to look modern, but I don't want it to look fuzzy like in the old days either, especialy as I've just spent a fortune on fitting wheels from a 1982 308. Better pictures requierd for insperation.
Better pictures as requested Tony, still fitting up of wipers etc to do before it goes up for sale soon.
Progress on the soft-top rear end. The boot lid needed "deconstructing" to reduce the height at the rear to follow the line of the rear wings.
The top of the rear wings needed sectioning and lowering to work with the soft top. Interesting to see the width and length the kit adds to the car whilst the top of the wing is missing.
Rear works much better with the top of the wings lowered.
Removable hardtop anyone?
Very nice, but I agree with others that the rear overhang does look a little too long in my opinion and maybe with a shorter rear and front overhang the proportions would improve greatly.
I was suprised how different the 250, 250Convertible and the A352 looked in the flesh. The problem with pictures is you just stare at one angle. In real life the image is constantly changing. I suppose thats why they invented movies!!
As above your best bet is to ring him on the number on his website.
If you worked on 2 months from order to having the kit in your hand it will give you a chance to tidy up your donor. It is a good time to buy a convertible donor, their prices are a good 20% less in the autumn and you might even find a suitable one in the right colour which saves work.
I've found some suitable donors. Inspected (similar to MOT) and overall in great shape, low mileage. Problem is, I'm waiting for my garage to be finished first
The convertible will be perfect for cruising our famous mountain passes in the summer. Patience isn't strong with this one.
My convertible kit got delivered in April, I finished 1st week in July . It gets loads of looks and attention . Check out my thread if you need more info or even message me if you prefere .
My convertible kit got delivered in April, I finished 1st week in July . It gets loads of looks and attention . Check out my thread if you need more info or even message me if you prefere .
Had a look and the results of your labour speak for themselves. Very nice indeed! It seems to be a relatively novice-friendly kit that still transforms the car greatly without restricting any topless motoring fun. It's perfect. I don't know yet whether or not I'll be able to do all the fitting myself, the painting will definitely be outsourced. Have you had much experience prior to tackling this project?
I do feel confident, however, that taking the Mazda apart and getting it ready for its facelift is something I can accomplish myself.
It'd make a fantastic wedding present to myself (fiancée isn't too keen on manual gearboxes yet - American) next summer really
She isn't keen on manuals. I quite enjoy them, hence the car being a present for myself.
Other than that, the difficulty of assembly seems rather reasonable but being a novice, I find it to be nothing but proper planning to inquire what to expect and how "easy" it is to accomplish the conversion.
Had a look and the results of your labour speak for themselves. Very nice indeed! It seems to be a relatively novice-friendly kit that still transforms the car greatly without restricting any topless motoring fun. It's perfect. I don't know yet whether or not I'll be able to do all the fitting myself, the painting will definitely be outsourced. Have you had much experience prior to tackling this project?
I do feel confident, however, that taking the Mazda apart and getting it ready for its facelift is something I can accomplish myself.
It'd make a fantastic wedding present to myself (fiancée isn't too keen on manual gearboxes yet - American) next summer really
There was nothing really difficult, just need to take your time. I did everything myself , even paint!
I built a cobra about 10 years ago and this was much easier . Just make sure you get a decent donor, I did a lot of work to mine such as welding, and updated all the brakes, tuned the engine and changed the exhaust. It was lowered but I didn't like it so I put it back to standard.
Sanding and filling will take up most of your time but it will all be worth it in the end.
Just do it
Agreeing with Drummajor, a good conversion for a novice, the soft top being a bit easier than the hard top (less bodywork).
Getting the kit installed, wiring the lights, wipers and fixing the boot and bonnet are well within the capabilities of a keen diy'er.
Sanding and filling will take ages, if you track some of the people on this forum they seem to take 6 months from posting pictures of the kit arriving to posting pictures of the finished article ready for painting.
A lot of that depends on the amount of free time you have or how much you want to contract out.
I've never done anything like this before and complicated things for myself by buying a Mk2. As Drummajor says, just take your time and it will happen.