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Author: Subject: Haynes Roadster MX-5 scratch build
Half Finished

posted on 29/5/26 at 03:12 PM Reply With Quote
Next up was fibreglass, I covered everything in dust sheets and the dust still got everywhere.
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And this is the ultimate tool for cutting fibreglass, with a ceramic cutting blade.
It leaves a nice straight edge.
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I've trimmed all of the panels now and they are ready to bond on.
I had one issue with the side panels, they seemed to be too short and I had to cut away most of the bottom edge.

For the interior panels, I tidied up the cable conduits and clips in the transmission tunnel.
This should all be IVA compliant now.
The routing is a bit odd because there is no room above the gearbox around the gear shifter
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Interior panels are stainless steel.
Marking out and partial brushing
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After brushing and bending.
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And trial fit, I really like this finish. I'm going to bond it in to avoid rivets.
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And I finally added the headlight brackets.
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And that is now up to date. I will be at the national kit car show in Malvern show tomorrow, unfortunately without the car.
I am lookout for a few parts. I still need an aero screen and one or two other parts like trims.

And I will wait and see which test date I get for the IVA

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Slimy38

posted on 29/5/26 at 03:51 PM Reply With Quote
Great stuff, that's a huge amount of progress! Your exhaust is almost identical to mine, even down to the location of the Cat. It works well there, although I put a heat shield between the cat and the bodywork. The passenger footwell still gets a bit warm even with the heatshield, but then mine is enclosed in bodywork as well which retains the heat. You should be ok with an exposed cat.

Where are you located, what will be your local IVA station?

Do you know if you're going for an age related plate? If so I'd recommend contacting Mazda for a 'proof of engine age' letter. It makes things really easy but because they come from Japan it can take a while before the letter gets back to you. Better to request it early so you're not waiting for bits of paper at the very last step.

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scudderfish

posted on 29/5/26 at 05:57 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Half Finished

First start was quite loud without the exhaust. And a few neighbours noticed.
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If they complain, tell them 'it could be worse' and share this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcPS9KKJ5Vg





https://vetuner.co.uk

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Half Finished

posted on 29/5/26 at 06:09 PM Reply With Quote
I requested at Yeading, my local centre at Southampton had a note about not supporting vehicles with limited slip differentials.
I took an MK Indy to Yeading long ago as well.

I will go for an engine related plate. I'm actually using a mk2 mx5 donor for engine, gearbox, steering column and axles, which is an S reg.
The mk1 that I did strip down was just too high mileage and worn out.

Good hint with the proof of engine age letter with Mazda, do the DVLA need it?

[Edited on 29/5/26 by Half Finished]

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Slimy38

posted on 29/5/26 at 06:47 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Half Finished
I requested at Yeading, my local centre at Southampton had a note about not supporting vehicles with limited slip differentials.
I took an MK Indy to Yeading long ago as well.

I will go for an engine related plate. I'm actually using a mk2 mx5 donor for engine, gearbox, steering column and axles, which is an S reg.
The mk1 that I did strip down was just too high mileage and worn out.

Good hint with the proof of engine age letter with Mazda, do the DVLA need it?

[Edited on 29/5/26 by Half Finished]


I took my letter to IVA in order for the correct emissions to be done, but that was because mine was an import so I wanted to be sure. Ultimately it is the DVLA that want to see it though, it's an easy way of proving age.

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Half Finished

posted on 2/6/26 at 05:46 AM Reply With Quote
IVA test date booked for July 31st!
I also picked up the last few trims and pieces I needed from the Malvern show. Now, I've got a list of jobs to check off, including mounting all of the panels I've already trimmed down.
I even picked up a trailer recently from the Isle of Wight!

[Edited on 2/6/26 by Half Finished]

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