MORRIS MIATA MX-5

[texas mongrel]

door panels fitted. I used perforated vinyl, plus carpet and then added an ash veneer strip to match the A'C panel on the dash. I found some 3/16" chrome auto trim strip that's self-adhesive so used this to edge all the veneers, both on the doors and dash - don't know how long it will stay in place, but its supposed to be stuff that the Manufacturers use. I asked to upholsterer to add map pockets into the doors, and I guess he took me literally, 'cos a small map is all that will fit!

Still puzzling out the whole wiper thing, but until my new windscreen arrives, I'm basically just piddling around

[texas mongrel]

with the (reluctant) help of my wife, I got the windscreen installed today. Relatively easy, although the rope snapped when I had about 6-7" of seal to go. I found a plastic spatula type thing used for electrical wiring and managed to lever the remaining seal into place without damage - phew! Tomorrow I'll squirt in the mastic and then wiggle in the chrome trim, there's a video on Youtube that shows how to do it, and it all seems to be in the wrist - the guy on the video does the whole thing in about one minute using a proper tool, which I have.

With the glass in, this allowed me to totally finish off the interior. I used a pair of new MG Midget sun-visors I had lying around - bigger then the Minor ones, plus the stock Minor interior mirror stalk mated to a bigger chrome-trimmed mirror from a late Mini. Put the front seats in too, they're tight on my bum, but I think in proportion to the tiny interior space, so they look great.

The final 'piece d'resistance' was the horn button. I screwed around for weeks trying to find a non-airbag aftermarket steering wheel for the Miata column, and eventually got one that worked with some mods to the bolt pattern. However, I then had to get a new piece machined up for the horn button so I could install one of my cloisonné Morris emblems in the middle - it came out looking great.

So, the only outstanding work is to finish the windscreen trim, cut off all the excess dum-dum, and final touch-up and varnish of the wood. Then its off for state inspection to make things legal and I'm done. We have a monthly car club at a local pub here in Houston next Wednesday, and I've managed to get another traveler plus a two-door to come along. That way, folk will hopefully be able to spot all the mods I've done to my car. I'll take some pix.

[plastic orange]

Lovely

PO

[bmcecosse]

Just spotted this.....nice work on the seats and door trims. Can't say I agree with the 'look' of the dash - but each to their own! The workmanship is terrific!! I lived and worked in Houston for a while - good number of years ago now ! Whereabouts is the 'pub' ??

[ruairidh]

Absolutely fantastic, good luck with the inspection and well done on building such a good car.

[MM]

texasmongrel, you may be interested in this thread on the other other side:

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54981" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[texas mongrel]

These cars are as common as muck aren't they?!

To answer an earlier poster's question, the pub is the Richmond Arms, just near the Galleria in West Houston, every third Wednesday of the month a bunch of us gather to drink beer and tell lies about our cars; if you're ever back in Houston, check it out.

Big setback with my vehicle - although I successfully installed the windscreen, I totally ballsed up fitting the chrome locking trim, it just would not go in around the corners (even tho' I've got the proper tool). I consequently destroyed the new rubber and had to cut the screen back out. Everything got covered in sticky windscreen mastic that took hours to remove (my hands are still black. I have a professional glass installer arriving on Monday morning, and new trim and rubber arrived today by express mail service

[texas mongrel]

Finally finished and on the road. I've been driving it everywhere and so far only minor issues:

- the alternator belt was squealing but that was an easy fix, just tightened the belt;
- the A/C wasn't working, again easy to rectify - I pulled the control panel off the dash and found a connector had come loose;
- the doors are a pain to close. They used to be perfect, but the new seals now make it a 'slam' operation. I think I'll wait til the seals settle in and then re-adjust;
- there's a little rattle from the back seat bolts. I'll fit some rubber gasketing somehow which should cure it
- when you slam the doors to close, it sounds like something's loose. I think in fact that the flat bar that runs from the interior pull back to the lock is rattling against the window frame, so I plan on pulling off the door cards and wrapping the flat bar with rubber or something to stop it making contact.

Other than that it's an absolute hoot to drive, very easy and quiet. Some pictures attached of the finished product, some parked next to its big-brother stable-mate (my new Range Rover) and some next to my mate's 1958 original Traveler (I took these last night at our monthly pub club meeting)

So, the whole project took just under three years, but could have been a few months quicker if my painter hadn't been so lazy. Now I'm wondering how to occupy my idle time going forwards! Thanks to all the folk on this site and at Woodies and ESM who helped my with any issues that came up during the build

[Plin]

Excellent news that after all your hard work you can now drive your lovely Traveller. Enjoy it!!

[ruairidh]

Absolutely outstanding and well done on finishing it and driving it.
Glad all the niggle's are small ones and long may they all be small.

[cmea]

Brilliant its all about the driving! It looks fantastic from every angle. Lets have more pics of the finished beast (inc engine bay and interior)! That is probably the best moggy traveller ever.
To stop the back seat bolts rattling would it be possible to put some heat shrink (electrical insulation) over them? That way they would appear plasti-coated.
I will miss the build threads - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching every stage of this build. Thanks and happy motoring.
Mark

[texas mongrel]

your wish is my command!

[morrisfixer]

awesome job i think this cars brill enjoy it

stevie

[graham]

G'day

This thread started as an interesting concept, as many do, but has concluded , unlike many , with a brilliant interpretation of that concept into a unique Minor that looks good and should be great fun to drive.
Well done you should be very proud of the results of your work.

Cheers
Graham

[MickEssex]

echo what has been said above, well done.