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Retro200 - I had to widen the bonnet headlamp holes but once done the fit with the wing and bonnet top areas is pretty good. I think this is as Andy has said the original ones were smoothed in.
Swifty - good to see the updates - I've been really slow on my one for ages - the roll cage is taking for ever. The bonus is that you're shooting ahead and finding all the solutions for the problems that I'll be approaching soon... so thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Badrep. I have to give a big thanks to Retro200 who has helped greatly with measurements and useful hints and tips from his earlier MRS200 build.
That coming along very well, keep up the good work and keep up with the pics.
I have decided that i am going to finish the rs2000 first, which should be done this year.
Once completed i will jump straight onto the rs200 build, i have most of the parts so it should be a pretty quick build.
Wow can’t believe it’s nearly 8 months since I’ve posted an update. A garden project then decorating around the house took over for much of July - October then I managed to get a few jobs done on the car before starting again proper mid January.
Progress since last time has been to bolt the rear clam in with brackets that bolt to the support frame and bonded to the clam - also supporting in the roof area. I decided to go this route first then will come back and hinge the clam once I’ve got it roadworthy again. The rear screen has been fitted with dzus fasteners for easy removal and I’m just finishing off the petrol cap - hole cut out and insert fitted from MR2 but have been struggling to work out how to extend the filler tube. Retro200 suggested I just reposition the existing pipe by swivelling it on the flexi pipe and then bracketing it. Any other suggestions?
I also made up the grilles for the rear of the clam which you can seem some of in the picture above. These are attached right now using small black cable ties through holes drilled but may use black plastic fasteners to make them a bit more secure.
I also decided to change the front edge of the roof panel where it meets the windscreen top to give a squarer edge closer to the original RS200. To fill the corners where the hard top panel now shows through I’ve built up with GRP and used a sunstrip applied to a magnetic sheet used to apply removal signs to vans/cars. To complete the effect I’ve used a Sierra MK1 windscreen rubber - see what you think from the pics here but I prefer the look to the original kit where the roof panel flows down to meet the MR2 screen.....
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Final update to report is that both headlamps are now fitted. I played about with using different lamps to the Golf MK2 items as I wanted to mount these behind the cowl (remember I’ve used the cowls from the other RS200 kit available). In the end I’ve bonded a couple of brackets around the edge of the cowl and cut back the Golf plate so these bolt from the inside. The cowls still needed to be bonded to the bonnet but you see the effect here...
Will try to keep the updates coming more frequently now things are moving forward again.
If you're hinging the clam, it probs best to leave the filler pipe assy as-is.
if you're having a fixed clam, then "simply" follow the filler pipe in about an arm's length and there is a clampy thing - undo it and the neck has enough flexiblity to reach the RS bodywork quite effectively. (almost like it was designed that way!)
undoing the rusty nut n bolt in that confined space at arm's length unsighted isn't easy though... have fun!
Really nice progress! I've not updated my one for aaaaggggeesssss!
Love the roof line - do you have any more pics of how you did it during the process? I've been trying to work ways around that roof line - I've got some cunning ideas, but still working on the interior and engine at the moment - I'll get an update on my build up soon!
The bigger windscreen looks great. I didn't realise there was that much difference in how it should look to be honest. Interested to see how you've gone about hinging your rear end. Also, how have you managed to keep your car so clean?!
Badrep - here’s a couple of additional pictures showing how I marked out the new roof line and built up the sunstrip. I based the roof line as close as I could to the original RS200 (see fourth picture here) but you are left with a couple of gaps in each corner of the roof panel where it no longer flows down to meet the hard top/MR2 windscreen upper rail. For these I made up a couple of rubber fill pieces that I then used to create GRP pieces out of which I bonded to the inside/trailing edge of the roof panel. I should say I had already cut my roof panel away from the rear clam and my pillars were also separate as I had the kit delivered. That in itself made this a lot easier.
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The sunstrip being magnetic just about holds on to the edge of the screen/hardtop and I had intended to leave it this way so I could remove it later as/when the screen needs replacing. I think I may ended up glueing it down as not convinced it won’t flap at speeds over 70!
Nostromo - thanks for the feedback on the screen. I was pleased with the effect and the windscreen rubber whilst only for show (and glued on!) makes a real difference as well. I’m holding fire from hinging my clam right now but have all the hinges/brackets and support work - would rather get all the other jobs completed and it back on the road first, hence I’m bolting the clam in as a first step but making everything like wiring, fuel flap/release such that it can hinge later. As for keeping it clean ... I’ve yet to do any real sanding/prep work on the panels which may explain, but I must admit the old garage dyson comes out after any drilling/cutting of the panels and I’m fortunate enough to be able to work on the car in the garage most of the time .
My kit was delivered too so I'll be going through the same process. I really like how you've done it. The other bit that really bugs me is the bonnet line - that's an area that I'll be working on to fill in. Never done any fibreglassing so I'll be in at the deep end with that one.
Thanks Badrep. Yes I think even Andy, the original owner of the moulds, has commented in the past how he wished the bonnet line was longer and squared off instead of following the MR2 wiper/vent area.
I have been keeping a lookout for a cheap Sierra MK1 lower windscreen vent panel to see if I could marry that with the MR2 panel and extend the bonnet up. Probably put that on the phase 2 list along with hinging the clam!
Yep that is a Ferrari in the background - unfortunately it’s not mine!
Thanks Badrep. Yes I think even Andy, the original owner of the moulds, has commented in the past how he wished the bonnet line was longer and squared off instead of following the MR2 wiper/vent area.
I have been keeping a lookout for a cheap Sierra MK1 lower windscreen vent panel to see if I could marry that with the MR2 panel and extend the bonnet up. Probably put that on the phase 2 list along with hinging the clam!
Yep that is a Ferrari in the background - unfortunately it’s not mine!
Excellent idea - I was thinking about trimming the lip, adhering some sheet material underneath it to extend and maintain the contours, add a bit on top and sand and smooth - but the sierra vent sounds better!
A while since I posted an update but as is always the case events take over and progress has been slow.
I’ve hit a milestone in my build in so far as I look to have successfully made the registration changes with the DVLA. A big thanks to Nostromo for sharing with me how he went through the process. The paperwork only went in the post on Wednesday but looking today online it seems to have been processed both the make change (I requested model change!) and the colour change to white. I’m sure the paperwork will be fine when it eventually arrives.
Lots more work to do until it’s actually ready for MOTing but the V5 changes have spurred me on to get moving. Since the last set of updates the rear screen is fitted with DZUS fasteners, the petrol flap and filler plastics fitted and all the spacers fitted to the hubs.
Will keep the updates a bit more frequent hopefully from now on but here’s a couple of pics with it out in the sun to show progress....
Looking good mate! Having the proper rear lights on the back really looks good. I'm still toying with modifying mine to take them rather than the sapphire ones. Also the windscreen extension is very well done. Wheels set it off nicely. Keep it up!
Yes I’m glad I managed to find a used pair of the lights at a decent price. They do come up every now and then on eBay. I still have to fill the light recesses properly on each side of the clam and the rear plinth needs filling either side of the lenses as well.
As you can probably see from the pics I still need to bond the roof panel and pillars (doors as well which still need fettling particularly adding support/strength pieces to the bottoms where the MR2 skins were trimmed back). When I do the roof and pillars I need to try and tidy up the windscreen edge such that the rubber can be fitted and removed (rather than glued/bonded into place) as I’m trying to make it so that the MR2 windscreen glass can be removed/replaced without having to hack the GRP about.
On the wheels, I still think it’s sitting too high. I haven’t got any lowered springs on the MR2 as yet, plus I think when I fit the inner wing panels (a combo of the original MR2 inner wings/splash guards extended with off cuts from black plastic eave protectors, thanks to Retro200 for that tip) the gaps will not look quite so big. Anyway, it won’t look too bad if I ended up with rally stickers/wrap but if I go with just a white paint job it might look a bit naff. That’s the least of my worries for now and can easily be sorted later.
V5 arrived in the post today form the DVLA. As it appeared when I looked online last weekend the Make has been changed to Tribute MRS200 (no longer any mention of Toyota). I’m fine with this and I guess it’s all down to who makes the updates at the DVLA as to what you end up with. Body type changed to coupe and I’ve also made the colour change to white.
I need to pull my finger out now and get on with finishing it!
For those following Nostromo’s build thread you will know that I have started to wire up the lights, indicators etc on my MRS 200 build.
Everything went smoothly until I came to the headlights which I expected to be an issue given I am basing my build on a facelift MR2 Roadster with separate lights for low and main beam. The issue is that the kit is based on using Golf Mk2 headlights which use the H4 connector/bulb which has a single earth for both circuits. Short and long of it was that both low and high beam circuits were active when low beam was on if you used either of the earths on the H4 block.
A bit of circuit designing with relays finally got to a solution whereby a standard 4 pin relay was used to switch the main beam +ve connection to the H4 plug/connector. For anyone else still working out how to do this on their MRS200 build here’s a rough (and I mean very rough) circuit diagram, but please note that when I drew this the H4 connector is wrong in that the top lug should be low and the side lug main beam.
Everything is wired up now and I just need to go back and tidy up with some further soldering and heat shrink insulation. The only other challenge with the wiring was cleaning up the original rear lights I’d managed to source (RS Cosworth 3 door) which when I finally got to look at the connectors and wiring strips for the bulb holders were very corroded. Here’s a wiring/pin out diagram for rear lights if anyone is still looking for this.
Another impulse purchase to share with other builders....and probably one of the cheapest. I was trying to replicate the original RS200 sill jacking point covers and for the life of me couldn’t find any reference online as to what the originals were made from (rubber or plastic). Mike Noy helped me out (he’s the guy who built the MR2 MK2 RS200 replica which to me looks like one of the most original as a replica) in looking on eBay for plastic plug hole covers ! They are 50mm and come threaded with a backing plate. There’s enough space on the inside of the MRS200 sill cover to attach them and as a bit of light relief from wiring that’s next on the list. Here’s a couple of pics and let me know if you want the eBay link .. easy enough to find if you just search for white plastic plug hole cover.
have fun! 
