gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - Exo is back on the road, new wheels looking great

[gm]

[Dick Cheeseburger]

11 minutes ago, gm said:

Bini? Offset looks weird...

[gm]

1 minute ago, Dick Cheeseburger said:

Bini? Offset looks weird...

Yep, Bini Cooper I believe. offset is 35, mazda is usually 45 so not far off. I've taken them off to keep them nice for the Exo when it comes out of hibernation. 

[DVee8]

2 hours ago, gm said:

Now that's a calendar shot.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

2 hours ago, gm said:

Yep, Bini Cooper I believe. offset is 35, mazda is usually 45 so not far off. I've taken them off to keep them nice for the Exo when it comes out of hibernation. 

I always fancied a set of Lorbers when I owned mk1 MX5s, although never managed to source a set. To be fair, loads of wheels look good on mk1 MX5s - they seem to wear them well. 

[gm]

there's a new video on from MEV promoting the Exocet, which is all very interesting but I almost spat my coffee out when he was talking about "unfinished projects" and a pic of my build appeared ! seems like such a long time ago - its coming up for its first MOT in may, that's three years its been on the road  (except it's currently hibernating off road round at me mams house)

 

[hairnet]

gis a goooo like

[gm]

 I was round at me mams so thought id take the exo keys with me and see how it was getting on

flat tyre as predicted - not a problem, they're cheap Chinese ditchfinders that are coming off when it comes out of hibernation

checking the volts on a battery that has sat dormant since the end of november

hmm, that might just be enough ?

yep, fired up first turn of the key ! remarkable  

shame its not going anywhere for another couple of months  (I need my own garage to fix* the mx5 ) 

[gm]

took the little mazda for a hoon and stopped at my favourite bit of waste ground for a bit of fun !

[gm]

I needed a usb power source in the mazda and spotted this on ebay

looked to be just about the right size to fit a switch blank under the radio

not far off at all

so I took the opportunity to upgrade the radio and fit a bluetooth receiver

that's a pretty neat fit

and a new* radio too 

it's got bloody VU meters !

so obviously a test hoon was required - nice quiet roads round here on a Saturday evening  

 

[gm]

anyone fancy a part built Exo for £1300 ? considering the basic kit is near 5 grand now, this is a massive bargain !

[Sunny Jim]

Only a lack of time, money, space and ability holding me back.

After the change in thread title I'm happy to see it's not you having to sell yours.

[gm]

1 minute ago, Sunny Jim said:

After the change in thread title I'm happy to see it's not you having to sell yours.

yes, slightly misleading of me   but a good deal for anyone who does fancy getting involved. I'd be tempted myself but...

2 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

Only a lack of time, money, space and ability holding me back.

 

[NorthernMonkey]

I wonder what exactly is missing?

[gm]

looks like wheel arches and the body panels, all available from MEV at a not unreasonable cost.

https://shop.mevkitcars.co.uk/collections/exocet-kits-and-parts

@NorthernMonkey you tempted ? 

[gm]

hells bells, the prices have shot up ! I may have to review my insurance valuation 

[NorthernMonkey]

19 minutes ago, gm said:

looks like wheel arches and the body panels, all available from MEV at a not unreasonable cost.

https://shop.mevkitcars.co.uk/collections/exocet-kits-and-parts

@NorthernMonkey you tempted ? 

I could well be…to be honest, it’s probably not the right time given how busy work is at the minute and how much stuff I’ve got kicking around but at that price, it’s hard to ignore.

I may* have applied to join the group…

[gm]

well you did have an excellent test drive last year  

any of the mx5 bits needed should be easy enough to find, the big question is how well done is the work so far ?  would you need to strip it down and start again ?

if now isn’t the right time, i’m sure you could find a corner to hide it under a tarp 

[NorthernMonkey]

I’ve been approved for the group but reading between the lines on the thread, I fear I may be several hours too late to the party.

Probably for the best…

[gm]

but now you are in the group…..it’s only a matter of time  

[NorthernMonkey]

Definitely! I need to finish a few of my long term projects off as well as find homes for those that’ll never likely get started first though.

Bought a new project truck the other day that I’ve been busy refurbishing so once that’s hopefully on the road next week, I can get rid of a couple of scrappers to free up some space! 😂

 

I should add that the stain on the floor is filthy tfr from the initial engine bay clean, not gearbox oil… 🤨

[Shandylegs]

Buying unfinished kits is by far the cheapest way into kit cars. It's what I've done on and off for 25 years. If you go in with a clear head and are willing to travel, bargains can be had.

This looks like one of those!

Obviously, the nirvana is something that's been IVA'd and needs work, but they are rare and command a premium.

Buy right and there is no way you will ever lose any money.

[gm]

i see what you mean, although this one at £1000 has no engine 

[Matty]

@gm Spotted near me dad's this afternoon in Burnley. Excuse the missus finger 👉 

[gm]

did she approve ? is that you got permission to build one ?  

 

[motorpunk]

^ Those tyres are balder than Kojak’s nutsack!

[Matty]

35 minutes ago, gm said:

did she approve ? is that you got permission to build one ?  

 

She bitched enough at just being asked to take a photo 😄

[gm]

time to waken the Exo from its winter rest

i nipped round last week and stuck the battery on charge, it fired up first turn of the key  

 only a small stain on the garage floor 

i let it idle for ten mins while i pumped up the tyres then it was time to hit the road. 

brought it back to mine for a check over 

and a much needed wash 

and stuck on the shiney new wheels

[gm]

and took it for a proper hoon

stopped at Lumley Castle for pics

and it’s driving bloody brilliantly on the new wheels and tyres - i’m thoroughly impressed 

 

[gm]

my insurance renewal was £260 from Footman James based on an agreed value of £10k, I called them up to discuss raising the value which they were happy to do but needed me to provide an independent valuation report. not knowing where I would acquire such a report, I asked them for advice - and they didn't know ! "maybe an owners club or something ?" was the best they could offer.

a discussion about insurance on the exo owners group suggested various other providers to try so I got on the phone to Howden (formerly A plan) and got a quote - they were happy to agree a valuation of £15k without independent proof and were still £20 cheaper than my renewal.  result.