Progress on the $500 Miata... Sorta

"nerd_racing" (nerd189) 07/07/2016 at 06:54 • Filed to: Mazda, Zoom Zoom, Miata, roof

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So I picked up another Miata shell to practice on, before I work on the $500 Miata. This one had already been parted out. It’s clean enough that I am still tempted to work with it long term. I’ll see as I go I guess.

Picked up something at the junkyard. Like my spoiler?

Drove 45 minutes through the country like that. Here it before the trimming:

I tried to get a cleaner roof, but they picked the car up by the roof on the cleaner car and bent the hell out of it. This one will do, I’m going to work on the surface rust before I start welding.

Some fitting:

My good reciprocating saw decided to let the blade lock die... so this is as far as I got last night.

Might actually be able to pull this off. What do you guys think?

LongbowMkII > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:05

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They already make fastback hardtops. Plus I don’t see how your windows will close.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:09

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Nice, will you build a custom rear end to match the fenders to the hatch? I mean this part right here
<==

Will you keep the stock tail lights?

How will ou manae to make the door windows fit to the roof?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:19

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You’re making a hardtop MX-5! Cool :)

I’m making a FHC unibody Triumph Spitfire by welding a steel factory hardtop to the bodyshell, and then the bodyshell to the chassis.

Be careful of warping the panels when you start to weld!

Stapleface > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:25

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I’m very intrigued by your project. I look forward to reading more and see what becomes of this.

When you get the roof/hatch installed, what are you going to do about the rear deck? Leave it be or modify it somehow?

Jobjoris > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:33

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No idea how you’re gonna make this work but I’m intrigued!!! Keep us posted.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 07:35

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Wait, is this going to be street legal? Because Miata Coupe will be AWESOME!

nerd_racing > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/07/2016 at 08:06

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The best part is that my co workers and my dad all said “Oh cool, you bought a convertible to drive for the summer.”

nerd_racing > Jobjoris 07/07/2016 at 08:07

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Lots of sweat, measuring, cutting, and welding. Maybe a little brazing too. Trying to use as little filler as possible.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 08:08

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I think that pulling off a 4wd turbo conversion on that 323 should be a higher priority ;)

nerd_racing > Stapleface 07/07/2016 at 08:09

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I’m going to modify that last, once everything is shored up structurally. I’m definitely going to take it out of the parts shell to see the weight and how much I’d have to cut. I want to increase the cargo area for sure, so it looks like it was meant to be on there.

nerd_racing > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 07/07/2016 at 08:11

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Sounds like a great project! I’m hoping to have a “metal hardtop” by the end of the weekend. I did full quarters and rockers on my old MX3 in college. Learned the art of slow stitch welds on thin panels. Luckily my welding rig is significantly better this time around. I might even spring for a bottle instead of flux cored!

nerd_racing > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 07/07/2016 at 08:14

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I will be building a custom tail finisher. Right now the plan is to use MX3 tail lights. I never really cared for NA tail lights. MX3 ones aren’t much better, but I like the aftermarket offerings.

As for the door windows, they are shockingly close to the MX3 roof line. I’m going to get some seals from something with frameless windows already and graft them into the roof/body tub.

nerd_racing > LongbowMkII 07/07/2016 at 08:22

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they make fiberglass ones, but the trunk panel looks pretty awful. And the extra seams are pretty awful too. I’m welding this on so it will be a permanent fixed roof. I’m basically making it with as many OEM parts as possible.

The windows already shut, I checked that first, and will every step of the way.

nerd_racing > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/07/2016 at 08:25

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I would if it was a normal 323, but this thing is such a rarity that I really can’t cut on it. At least not until the diesel blows up beyond repair.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 08:30

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Makes sense, but there shouldn’t be any need for cutting since they sold a turbo 4wd one from the factory.

LongbowMkII > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 08:31

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Good luck with it! I think garage Woolery (best Miata owner ever) fabbed up a custom metal permanent hardtop. If you haven’t, check out his stuff. Even if it doesn't directly relate, awesome Miata project stuff is still a nice refresher.

nerd_racing > LongbowMkII 07/07/2016 at 08:42

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I’ll take a look. Can’t hurt to get some pointers. Thanks! I’ll try to get as many updates on here as I can.

nerd_racing > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/07/2016 at 08:42

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floor pan is completely different. I’ve had 2 4wd BG proteges (323 sedan) and it’s not even close.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 08:44

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Did not know. Will have to keep that in mind since one day I want to own a GTX but probably won’t be able to find a real one.

nerd_racing > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/07/2016 at 09:34

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It can be done, just takes a little bit of work.

Ross Kraz > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:05

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Wow Miatas are small. I mean, the top looked small on that 323, not a big car, and then completely engulfed the little roadster. They don’t ever seem that small without this perspective...

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:09

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oh

my

goodness!

this is going to be amazing. PLEASE keep us well informed.

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 10:16

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I’m going to try my best to keep progress moving and posting when there is progress. It’s going so well I should be motivated to keep it up.

nerd_racing > Ross Kraz 07/07/2016 at 10:17

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They really are pretty tiny. I was almost thinking the MX3 roof was going to be too big, it’s a wider car, but most of that is in the “hips” of the car, if the miata had a roof it wouldn’t be quite as curvy as the MX3.

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:20

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need some more light in your garage, peiople are going to want to see your pictures :D

how do you plan to manage installing a rear window? something stock will fit?

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 10:21

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The hatch off the mx3 is the rear window.

I have two giant balast lights that I need to install. For now though, I’d prefer to keep the light low. It’s not going to be purdy for a while.

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:26

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will the hatch open? that would certainly put you a few steps over most of the plastic/fibreglass “hard” tops available.

Ross Kraz > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:30

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Has anyone ever done this before or are you bravely going where no gearhead has gone?

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 10:44

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yes it will be fully functional as a hatchback.

nerd_racing > Ross Kraz 07/07/2016 at 10:45

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One small step for me, one giant leap for Miata kind!

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 10:49

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that’s going to be awesome!

awesome I say!

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 10:50

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Thank You, I truly hope it turns out so.

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 11:24

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I’ve MS-PaintChopped you a gift

there is a real lack of mx-3 side on images on the internet to use for source

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 11:47

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I see your photoshop and raise you an arts and crafts!

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 12:14

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yours involves measurements, which is wise. mine involved quite a quantity of fudging lengths :)

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 12:33

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I actually used scaled prints from the internets. lol

MonkeePuzzle > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 12:41

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well I guess it doens’t matter now. you’ve actually got an mx3 roof sitting on an mx5 body. engage sawzall and welder!

nerd_racing > MonkeePuzzle 07/07/2016 at 14:10

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true that! Grabbing my good angle grinder tonight too. It’s going to be a fun weekend.

MM54 > nerd_racing 07/07/2016 at 21:22

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I’ve barely been on Oppo for a couple weeks and I come back to this?!

This is absolutely fantastic, keep us overly-updated!

nerd_racing > MM54 07/08/2016 at 06:38

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Welcome back! I’ll do my best. I’ve got a little work to do on my fleet and my buddy’s LeBaron still.