Very nice car that is!!!

How's the engine? Is it going to need a rebuild? As that's the main
problem with the Rotary's. If you blow it allot of stuff will go at the
same time.

Are you keeping the 12A? Would be looking for a 13B which you
could run N/a with throttlebodies to keep the oldschool feel... And
sound.

Very nice car, I like the FC a bit better, but this has got more
oldschool 70s flavour

Too large for what? Just coz you're jealous.

I do believe the limits are 800x100. You'll find the sig is 779x99

*nails over blackbord...

Eeeeeeekkkk....

*Slap, scratch, boot* .....

The engine seems pretty sweet, it was rebuilt a few years ago, I have a spare 12A engine in the shed too

Took a few pics today, had a go at the windscreen (it was badly scratched by the wipers) but it needs a new one really




also tried to get the bumper back into the retainer on the wing, it's not going to be completely flush as the carrier has been bent, but at least it's on now




It does have rear seats, but with the drivers seat in the right position for me, and I'm only 5'9"...there's not much legroom in the back





It's got some nice little touches, like the map reading light, pivot it and it turns on




I'm hoping for good weather next weekend, so we can start on the welding...

at K.bob .

Nice looking smoker that fella

Just call me Mr China

Went over to see Garath aka "Ed China" today, and took him some shiny metal to fit

Decided to tackle the drivers side rear first, as this looks like the worst part

Started off by getting her up the air, seats and carpets out etc











complicated rear brakes - ventilated rear discs





Time to assess the rust monkeys...







Then Garath started to grind it back...







First panel was pretty complicated to fabricate...







But it fitted perfectly







Then it was back out with the cardboard for more templates





and some nice panels - including a joggled edge to follow the original lines of the sill







After some work to brace up the inner panels (missed that bit, I had to go buy lunch ) the outers went on, and I'm really pleased with the result










Needs some panel seal and some paint, then on to the next bit...


Biiiiiiig thanks to Garath, without his time, effort and talent, this car would probably never make it on the road

Very interesting stuff - can't wait for the next episode

Nice ass Marc

Takes alot of balls to revive this beauty, damn that thing is rusty.

Ed China the man!

heres hoping you manage to fix it all! would love to see it at jae or similar!

there is no if's or but's (except for marc's butt, hahaha) about it, it will get sorted

I must admit though, when we first cut open the sill and saw how bad it was in there I did think "well this is another fine mess you have got us into mike, erm I mean Marc" but we were suprised how well and quickly it has come together

Always admire someone who takes on a job like this, Great read very interesting look forward to the rest

Nice work lads, Gareth that's some tasty looking metalwork Hope Marc is keeping the cider coming, he must owe you a keg by now

wow, rusty much?

that much rust would scare me!

Had another full day at it today - again a massive thanks to Garath, dunno what I'd do without you mate

Back up in the air...




Where did I leave that screwdriver? In the car mate, literally, in the car




small hole in the floorpan




and another in the chassis rail




and one in the front...




which turned into several large holes




and a big bit for the chassis








Then it was time for panel seal, and some underseal paint








and, somehow, in just one weekend, the drivers side is finished






We'll start on the passenger side next weekend, if the weather allows

I bought 3 sheets of 1 metre long steel...and one side has kinda consumed one whole sheet...

this is all that's left, compared to a fresh sheet...




funny, cos that's a lot more than we swept off the driveway afterwards

Fantastic work guys, and great skills Garath.
Its great to see such a big resto going on, even though its not an F it still a classic Mazda and well worth the effort. You guys are firing into it with the right attitude too, which is great to see. As Ben said, that much rust would scare a lot of people away! Its amazing how many beautiful classic sheds have probably been scrapped through the years for the sake of a few weekends of welding and some good old driveway tinkering.

great work guys

reminds me of when boyd coddington got done over his "restoration hotrods".
They had to replace so much of the cars due to rust that they could no longer be called restoration projects

pretty handy with the hammer and the welder Gar

Am liking the pace of the work - wish i could be this proactive with the BPT (but i'm too lazy )

increadible you guys are fantastic!

Rust scares me. I'll try and do any repair on cars, but i just can't be arsed with messing with rust.

With 2 BGs, a BJ, and an RX7...I don't have much choice

1.) Put the lot into a container.
2.) Boat over to New Zealand
3.) Never, ever worry about rust ever again.

lovely mazda you got there

welding is a no go area for me

top job!

Inspirational work Mark and Garath. I must admit rust scares me but you have attacked this task very well.

that's some serious working there!!!

Guys.


Mark

Thought today was going to be a write off, as it was raining first thing...however, work started about 11, on the passenger side...

Not as bad as the other side, started off as just a small hole in the rear arch/sill - with nothing else further up the car

Garath started to cut away the sill, to gain access and see how far the rust monkeys had been playing









Ended up pretty much the same as the drivers side



Garath used his joggling tool to punch some holes in the new shiny bits



So he could weld them together



Then it was some panel seal, and some underseal paint, and it was job done


So, 3 full days, and it's solid

Need to get it home, and then do the other little jobs, then it'll be MOT time...


Thanks a million Garath - you've worked bloody hard on this one, and done an awesome job

Top job guys

Made the most of my afternoon off today...

Got all the interior back in, and cleaned the carpets, then I fitted a remote central locking kit

Fixed the windscreen washers - a new pump, and a good clean of all the pipes and it started to work!

Lost the rear foglamp, rewired the drivers side reversing lamp - just need to paint the bulb red