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My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:10 am
by Cort500
Well its been a very long process and more than a few twists along the way but my (was to be wifes) 96 LE BRG & Tan is now registered

The story started almost 2 years ago when I picked up an LE that was in need of some work. So I bought it with good intentions of doing it up for the wife (and me) so she could have another MX5 to replace the one we sold prior to first child. Here's me thinking she will love it, until she saw it had a tan interior, well, needless to say she wasn't impressed. As it turned out I picked up another NB in good condition and that is now hers.
Now back to the LE, I had always wanted an LE due to their exclusivity(if thats a word), at the time I didn't plan on taking so long to finish it but I also have two MK1 Escorts that are (were) getting restored. I never knew how hard it would be getting all the bits and pieces to restore it, getting the seats recovered nearly sent me broke. I took the chance on getting the eBay covers and after speaking to the seller he assured me they would fit my LE, long story short, they didn't as they are different seats to the standard MX5. I ended up getting them custom made from a local Upholsterer, which he will never do again but the end result is fantastic. After a good clean up of the rest of the interior I am really impressed how it turned out.
The wheels were in a bad state with lots of stains but I had them bead blasted and new tyres fitted and they look brand new now.
Anyway, let me know what you think of it. It still requires some new badges for the boot lid as the old ones started peeling and a new dipstick as the ring is broken off it.
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:12 am
by Cort500
I thought I added the pics

Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:30 am
by luzinit
Nice! Any plans to replace the soft top window? How many kms on the car? Interior looks mint.
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Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:47 am
by Cort500
The car has just over 200K on it. I am the 3rd owner, the 2nd owner had it for about 15 years and its still got the log books and always serviced by an MX5 specialist in Ipswich ( John Kraschnefski). I was tossing up to replace the plastic window for a glass one but unsure if I am going to be keeping the car or selling it. It was originally for the wife but she hated the interior, I already have 6 other cars here at home and I would like a boat.
I am going to do a photoshoot with it and the other one today, might just have to see what the wifey thinks as we just had another baby. So far she hasn't minded all the cars but that could change

Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:32 am
by trader
You've done a great job -bet you keep it!
Good to see restorations coming thru.
Always wanted one of those but settled for Malibu.
Like to see those seats in ten years time. I had new ones then in black and made the mistake of using a leather dressing which made them shiny. finally got on to one that doesn't (uticolour)
But it didn't remove the shine. In the process of using leatherique which supposed to get me back to a less shiny finish.
Take car what dressing you use - from my experience you will get life lines on the leather whatever you use.
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:18 pm
by 93_Clubman
Well done - looks very tidy!
So you're after the 'Mazda' & 'MX-5' silver badges on the rear beaver panel, a dipstick, & a front pside indicator lens (clear outer). From the pics looks like the silver Mazda emblem badge is also absent from the nose. For ref pics of another Neo Green LE here:
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=46765
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:34 pm
by Cort500
Thanks for spotting that, yes, I will be chasing that as well. Can you still buy new?
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 3:25 pm
by 93_Clubman
Probably, & I'd suggest the quickest way to get a decent dipstick may be new as they often break. Take a look at Rolley's post here for sourcing new parts:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=67144&p=833298&hilit=ama%2A#p833298More examples from Rolley here:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=65358&hilit=ama%2A
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 5:32 pm
by Rolley
I do harp on about Amayama a bit don't I...
Cort500 that is one fantastic looking LE, it is second only to Mariner Blue for me.
Is that factory cruise control on the RHS shock tower?
Arlington have listings for the front Flame badge
BB1H-51-731 and for the rear Mazda name plate
NA01-51-711 but only list the "Miata" badge for the other side of the garnish panel not the "MX-5" one.
I have a couple of new badges in packets I've picked up from swap meets not sure the MX-5 is one of them I'll have a look tonight and dig up the numbers if I do.
Luke.
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:45 pm
by Cort500
Well I didn't get to do the photoshoot I wanted but I got a few snaps on my phone.
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:51 pm
by Cort500
A few more
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:56 pm
by Cort500
After much deliberation with the other half, it is with regret I am going to have to sell this vehicle.
After spending nearly two years on it and with to many other cars in the stable I am going to let it go before I get to attached to it.

Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 11:31 am
by 93_Clubman
Looks very tidy, so shouldn't be hard to sell - GLWS!
Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:26 pm
by madkeen
Hey mate. Nice 5... pity you have to sell it, but it sounds like you've done well keeping as many rides in the garage as you have!

It appears we have cars that are either first cousins or maybe twins. I also drive a 96 LE and am in Brisbane. When it came to fixing the seats I got my hand on a pristine set from a Japanese roadster variant. Still cost a bomb, but look great. Love this car. Good luck with the sale. In my biased opinion an NA LE is the best of the best. That said, I have now conceded that i'd like an ND parked next to it.

Here's my baby...


Re: My 96 LE is alive & registered
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:59 pm
by Cort500
Wow that does look good. Yeah I was looking at some jap seats but couldn't find any good ones at the time.
I figure if I sell it soon I won't get attached to it. I still have one in the garage and then I can get one of my escorts done.