Publisher Description

An easy to follow guide to restoring a classic Mazda MX-5/Miata - the world's favourite small sports car. This book takes you step-by-step through choosing a project car, looking the car over, planning the restoration, and buying parts and tools to perform the work. The comprehensive text is fully supported by high resolution photographs, guiding you through stripping the car down, cutting out and repairing rust, restoration of interiors, replacing the hood, refurbishing the underside of the car including the floor pan, suspension, brakes, undersealing, reassembly, replacing the cam belt and waterpump, replacing engine seals and gaskets to cure common leaks. It also provides a guide to handy upgrades as you go along.Whether you are looking to restore to original condition or build an out-and-out track weapon, the techniques described in this book will assist you in getting the right base to start with. The book is based on and actual restoration of a vehicle carried out by the author, with before and after shots.

Author Biography

Oliver Wild grew up in an engineering family, spending evenings in the garage with his father restoring a variety of classic cars from Porsches to MGs. His weekends were spent on windy airfields, competing in autotests. Following a successful career in the motor trade, the author has over 20 years of restoration experience across a range of marques, being in `the game' for the love of it rather than big rewards, he has always gained more pleasure from rescuing beautiful cars and introducing new people into the hobby than chasing financial gain.Owning a variety of interesting cars ranging from classic British sports cars to Porsches, a love affair with the Mazda MX5 started in 2009, following a frustrating weekend away chasing an elusive ignition fault on a classic MG. Since then at least one MX5 has always featured in the authors stable!A keen traveller, Oliver usually spends his holidays touring Europe in a car, looking for the most interesting roads (preferably leading to a good restaurant). Assisted by his very patient partner Sarah and their trusty Beagle, Bruce, who can usually be found curled up on a car seat in the workshop, life is always busy and interesting.

Table of Contents

Contents1 Introduction2 Viewing/Purchasing a car3 Project PlanningWorking spaceToolsPlan of attack4 How an MX5 is constructed or rather how to take one apart!5 Repair TechniquesWeldingPlastic repairPainting/Plating/Undersealing6 The Strip DownInterior/hoodExterior panel workMechanicals7 Body restoration8 Mechanical restoration9 Interior restoration10 Checking the car over pre road test11 Road test and snagging12 The finished product

Review

Where a typical workshop manual ends, this restoration manual begins ... essential stuff for anyone attempting major work on a first- or second-gen MX-5 for the first time--Classic Car Weekly. This is a timely and practical manual on a car which despite its longevity has hitherto attracted little in the way of background guides or literature--Kieron Fennelly. a book which every MX5 owner will find useful, whether or not a full rebuild is contemplated--Speedscene. with time, space and a copy of this book, you can really get hands-on with the MX-5 at home. Octane (UK) --- From minor repairs to a complete strip-down, this book covers mechanical, body and trim restoration - all made easier by the simple fact that it is often not necessary to repair broken parts as new or good-used replacements are so readily available. Classic Driver. It's a no-nonsense guide to restoring the first two generations of the world's best selling sportswear and is a mine of information. Highly recommended to specialist car enthusiasts. -TKC. It is a great resource. - Classic & Sports Car. This book covers everything you need to know. – Norm Mort, Freelance.

Long Description

An easy to follow guide to restoring a classic Mazda MX-5/Miata - the world's favourite small sports car. This book takes you step-by-step through choosing a project car, looking the car over, planning the restoration, and buying parts and tools to perform the work. The comprehensive text is fully supported by high-resolution photographs, guiding you through stripping the car down, cutting out and repairing rust, restoration of interiors, replacing the hood, refurbishing the underside of the car including the floor pan, suspension, brakes, undersealing, reassembly, replacing the cam belt and waterpump, replacing engine seals and gaskets to cure common leaks. It also provides a guide to handy upgrades as you go along. Whether you are looking to restore to original condition or build an out-and-out track weapon, the techniques described in this book will assist you in getting the right base to start with. The book is based on an actual restoration of a vehicle carried out by the author, with before and after shots.

Details