Friday, December 9, 2011

Busted Miata to Racing Miata (Restoration)

Busted Miata to Racing Miata (Restoration)

First time I got this baby was around 2009 fall...
I was looking for a 2nd vehicle besides my Evo X to autocross with and I found her on craiglist.
Her right fender was completely torn apart and the right door had a huge dent in it.
It was obvious that she had an accident... a bad one too.

I went down to see the car and from the first look... I was not pleased. 
It was worse then the picture and I was having second thoughts about buying the car.
But the moment I heard the car start... it purred like a kitten and when the gas was pushed... it was mean!
I REALLY liked it so I decided to purchase her.

She basically looked like this in the beginning..

Not Original Picture but very very close to mine


I was what you called a "noob" in the whole automobile world and to be honest I didn't know much about fixing cars let alone changing engine oil. I knew how to drive the car but mechanically... 
lets just say CarX was right next to my house.

Around this time I made an autocross club in Purdue University called "Red Camber" and I decided to have the miata fixed by a club member who said he knew how to fix cars and had friends who could help

I paid around $800 and what I received from him was satisfactory...

Side Rear taped with Hood Scoop

Original Interior

Same spot left rear under door taped

Hood taped with carbon fiber vinyl

It was an ok job however for $800 some of my other members thought it was a crappy job
So feeling disappointed, I decided to learn it myself and fix the car as she deserves.


First I sanded her down for a different paint look.

First time sanding a car


Preparation for the miata took around 2 months because I never
 sanded a car before and it was not an easy task.
However, after she was done, me and Chris (club member) decided to switch her suspension.
We went with the flying' miata stage 2 suspension.


Just before switching the suspension

Then the paint job came. Never painted anything in my whole life.. this was probably the biggest task
The steps I took involved after sanding was...

Clean Car -> Tape -> 1st Coat Prime -> 2nd light Coat Prime -> 3rd lighter coat prime ->
1st Paint ->2nd Paint ->Water Fine Sand ->3rd lighter Paint
 ->1st Clear Coat ->2nd Lighter Clear Coat -> Dry -> Wash

Did this work? Well... to be honest it was not bad at all!
The car came out pretty nice looking and I was satisfied.
Here is a picture of what she looked like after we finished everything.

Finished Restoration

I was really happy with how it looked like in the end... but due to me moving back to Korea I had to sell it
Next picture is me and Chris at Walesboro Autocross competing at SCCA (Sports Car Club of America)


Walesboro Airport, IN - SCCA Autocross 


And finally the Miata at the start line!!!!!

Walesboro Airport IN, SCCA Autocross

We did really well and she ran hard and fast! I will never forget how much fun
the miata was and will definitely get another one when I go to Korea.






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