Assembly

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1992 Mazda Miata

aidanmt
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14 photos
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Log
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Spec
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Projects
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The Miata returned home after its showroom display, with Fortune Auto Super-Low coilovers and the restored running gear. A proper road cruise was planned once the winter road salt had cleared.
2025
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Hardlines and fuel tank installation, wiring and interior work, engine and subframe installation, cooling system assembly, first start and final body reassembly, followed by the Mazda showroom display.
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The Miata was displayed on the elevated lift inside Safford Mazda in Fredericksburg. A platform was built to get the car over the entrance curb without damaging the restored underside, and the existing long ramps were used to reach the lift.
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The Miata completed its first drive down the block after restoration, before being taken onto the showroom lift.
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NOV 2025 · PROJECT COMPLETE
Reassembly and finishing
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The restored engine, transmission and subframes were installed with the fuel tank, renewed hardlines and restored electrical components. The pedal boxes, shifter and exterior fittings were refurbished, and the brake and clutch hydraulics were filled and bled. The car was reassembled and started before its showroom display.
 Fuel tank vent valve with mesh filter
 Modified hardline alignment brackets
 Fourdoorphill reproduction labels
 OEM firewall grommets
 Restored brake pedal box
 OEM fuel filler neck gasket
 Restored clutch pedal box
 Refinished fuel filler neck
 Restored body and engine wiring harness
 OEM shifter bushings and seals
 Refinished OEM exhaust
 WORK locking wheel nuts
 OEM brake and clutch mounting gaskets
 Silver‑zinc‑plated nickel‑copper hardlines
 OEM exhaust mounting rubbers
 OEM Mazda fuel cap
 Fuel tank vent valve with mesh filter
 Modified hardline alignment brackets
+98
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A leak developed after the differential was assembled. The housing was opened again and the rear cover resealed before reassembly.
 Refinished rear differential
 Refinished rear differential
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Subframe and fuel tank removal, raised frame rails, underside cleaning, seam sealing, undercoating and running gear reassembly.
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The refinished engine bay was polished and finished with Gtechniq EXO v5 coating.
 Gtechniq EXO v5 coating
 Gtechniq EXO v5 coating
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The drain plug supplied with the replacement oil pan was replaced with a new OEM plug.
 OEM oil pan drain plug
 OEM oil pan drain plug
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SEP 2025 · PROJECT COMPLETE
Chassis and running gear restoration
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Both frame rails were replaced and raised 50 mm for ground clearance. The underside was cleaned, seam sealed and undercoated, and the subframes and suspension components were refinished. The original axle shafts were rebuilt with donor CV joint components, and new bearings, hubs, bushings and Fortune Auto Super-Low coilovers were fitted.
 Raised frame rails
 Refinished suspension arms
 Fortune Auto Super‑Low coilovers
 Refinished front subframe
 Schaeffler wheel bearings
 Replated chassis hardware
 Refinished rear subframe
 Replacement wheel hubs
 Replacement suspension bushings
 Refinished brake calipers
 Rebuilt rear axle shafts
 Refinished rear differential
 OEM rear shock mounting gaskets
 Raised frame rails
 Refinished suspension arms
+40
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Both motors were disassembled for cleaning and refinishing. The power and ground connections were resoldered to the brush contacts, the induction rotors were refitted, and the housings and manual override caps were restored.
 Restored pop‑up headlight motors
 Restored pop‑up headlight motors
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Wheel arch metalwork, reshaped shock tower braces and engine bay refinishing.
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Existing plastic clips were treated in hot water with Rit Color Remover. The square clips cleaned up well; some discoloration remained on the round clips. Three packets were used at $2.50 per packet.
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JUL 2025 · PROJECT COMPLETE
Engine bay and hood restoration
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The front wheel arches were reshaped for tire clearance, and the shock tower braces were extended to match the new contours. The bay was stripped, sealed and repainted white. The thin aluminum hood reinforcement was repaired with bonded tabs and a replacement brace section.
 Raised front wheel arches
 Reshaped shock tower braces
 Modified aluminum hood reinforcement
 Raised front wheel arches
 Reshaped shock tower braces
+22
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Engine removal, disassembly, refinishing and accessory reassembly.
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MAY 2025 · PROJECT COMPLETE
Engine and accessory restoration
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The 1.6-liter engine, transmission casing and accessories were cleaned and refinished, with restored aluminum surfaces, painted housings and zinc-plated hardware. The starter, alternator and power steering pump were disassembled and reassembled. New OEM transmission plugs and cooling-neck hardware replaced the worn or mismatched originals.
 1.6‑liter engine
 Refinished valve cover
 Refinished intake manifold
 Rebuilt power steering pump
 Restored alternator
 Mazda power steering pump seal kit
 Restored starter
 Denso TV12C A/C compressor
 Refinished coolant outlet
 Coolant temperature sensor
 OEM coolant outlet fasteners
 Manual transmission
 OEM transmission fill plug
 Zinc‑plated engine hardware
 OEM transmission drain plug
 Replacement oil pan
 1.6‑liter engine
 Refinished valve cover
+72
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The Miata's first photograph was recreated at the same fuel pump, eleven years later.
2023
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The Miata was photographed inside the old Safford Mazda dealership before the building was demolished to make room for extended parking. Access was arranged shortly before the demolition.
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Exterior photographs of the Miata at the new Safford Mazda dealership. A later display on the indoor lift was being arranged.
2022
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The Miata was photographed on an autumn road with its white hardtop, polished wheels and quilted interior trim.
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Photographs of the Miata in the workshop, including the hardtop, wheel fitment, quilted door panels and cabin.
2021
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A year-end montage of the cars and detailing work, including the Miata.
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Evening photographs of the Miata outside the theater.
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Exterior, wheel and cabin photographs of the Miata at dusk.
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The Miata was photographed at sunset, including the white hardtop, polished wheels, interior and engine bay.
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The Miata received its first paint correction after years of regular detailing.
2020
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Exterior and wheel photographs of the Miata in the autumn evening light.
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Photographs of the Miata at a fuel stop.
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Close-up photographs of the engraved door handles and hardtop latches.
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Evening exterior photographs of the Miata with its hardtop removed.
2019
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An evening walkaround of the Miata, recorded after work.
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The bay had silver valve cover and intake castings, a tubular exhaust header and a conical air filter.
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Exterior and wheel-detail photographs of the Miata with its white hardtop and polished wheels.
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The Miata was photographed from the front and rear, with a close view of the polished wheel fitment.
2018
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Exterior photographs and a detail of the quilted door panel.
2017
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Photographs from the engine and transmission work show the engine on a stand, injectors, timing components, exhaust header, flywheel and transmission casing.
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Close-up photographs of the Exedy Stage 1 clutch disc and pressure plate.
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A rolling exterior photograph of the Miata at H2Oi.
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An exterior photograph of the Miata at a fuel stop.
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A photograph of the rear quarter and wheel fitment.
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Exterior photographs of the Miata at sunset.
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A photograph of the Miata at an evening car gathering.
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Photographs of the cabin and quilted door panels.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
2016
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
2015
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
2014
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.
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Photographs documenting the car’s exterior and details.