This gorgeous example of the original and classic MX5 comes with a bit of a back story, so bear with me...

I owned this car about 17 years ago and loved it, although I sold it in 2006, I often reminisced about it. At the time that I sold it, it was a still a relatively young car (about 15 years old) with something like 67k miles on the clock, and it was in great and well looked after condition with good history and service record.

Jump ahead to March 2022 and the car appeared on Facebook market place, but looking a little tired – the red paintwork had faded to various different shades, there were areas of lacquer peel, it had none-standard wheels on, and the interior trim was a bit tatty in places and soft-top roof (which I re-covered 15 years earlier) was a real mess. But, in spite of showing its age, it appeared solid and came with a full MOT, although apart from my memory, any documented history was gone.

I couldn’t resist buying it back as I felt that it deserved to be brought back to former glory, and since then it’s been my daily commute. I’ve loved owning it again, although it was a slightly reckless and unnecessary purchase, and now I’ve done what I set out to do, it’s time to sell it on. Generally I've put it back to original spec/condition, although it does have a few little mods: air intake, engine bay strut, quick release Momo steering wheel, cd player, stainless exhaust etc.

Here’s a summary of its current condition and the work that has been undertaken in the last 12 months:
•Current mileage – 86900 (only 19000 in the last 17 years, and 3.5k of these were me in the last 12 months!)
•Full MOT (28 March 2023) with just a couple of minor advisories
•Oil / Filter service September 2022
•Various new mechanical / electrical components (clutch master cylinder, HT leads, spark plugs, engine temperature sensor, belts)
•Replacement roof – second hand but generally good condition with only minor wear
•Replacement of various bits of interior trim to get it back to factory spec, and new window motor
•Replacement set of 15” OEM Mazda alloy wheels with good Michelin tyres
•Full re-spray in original red including some welding to the rear arches and sills to ensure everything is good and solid

As a result of all this, I now have a car that not only drives and runs brilliantly, but also looks stunning with its shiny red paint job! The panels are all straight and ding and scratch free.

So, if you’re looking for something that is sorted, looks stunning, is ready to drive and you just want to get out there in the coming summer months and enjoy it, this is good to go. But, if you like to tinker and want to add your stamp to the work already done, there is still some scope to get it show ready – e.g. the re-spray was exterior only, so the engine bay, boot and door openings could still benefit from some attention.

The bad bits?
Not a lot to mention, but as already stated, there is no documented history, there is still some scope to improve the hidden bits of bodywork and as with any 32 year car it will from time to time reveal its quirks (e.g. the drivers windows takes about twice as long to wind as the passenger side, thanks to the new motor in the passenger window). It comes with a quick release MOMO steering wheel – the nature of the quick release design does mean there is a little bit of play in the steering wheel so you may prefer to replace the boss with a fixed design.

Price?
I believe I’ve priced this fairly taking into account an affordable loss on my part (this isn’t one of those profit making quick makeovers and it does owe me more than the asking price) – so I’m not open to offers. If it doesn’t sell I will continue to enjoy it as my daily ride.