Mazda Eunos 1.6 in Classic Red - Early Car
Another interesting car here and this time its a 1991 Eunos 1.6 (kind of - more on that in a minute...). Finished in Classic Red with dark cloth seats and black trim, this has covered an indicated 131420km which is about 82150 miles. Standard specification includes power steering, electric windows and stainless steel sill tread plates. However this has a few well chosen upgrades which really add to the car's appeal.
First of all, the bodywork, probably the biggest factor when buying any MX5/Eunos, is in very nice, sound condition. The sills/rear quarter panel areas on both sides are very good indeed with no signs of previous repairs and no signs of rust. Its the same with the wheel arches - front and rear: all are solid and rust free. In fact there is no rust anywhere on the outer bodywork. Underneath its very good too with no signs of previous repairs. Everything underneath is sound and solid - floors, lower sills etc. The only point worth mentioning is that the floor box section on one side has suffered some damage as a result of clumsy jacking though this is just cosmetic. The car has certainly had some paintwork at some point and while its very good, its not perfect with various small marks and imperfections in line with its age. It looks very good though and is certainly a very eye-catching car.
Inside everything is in really smart and clean condition. There is the usual small amount of wear to the driver's seat bolster, though its not holed. The dashboard and all plastic trim is in good undamaged condition too. It has a lovely Momo leather rimmed steering wheel fitted. The JVC stereo works well and plays CDs as well as having both USB and Aux inputs. It has recently had a new black vinyl soft top fitted so this is in very good condition.
Mechanically its all good too. The engine feels really strong and as is typical of a good Eunos, loves to be revved hard. The clutch and gearbox work and feel as they should with a nice change action. It has a performance cone air filter which always helps and its just been serviced with new NGK spark plugs, new silicone spark plug leads and new oil and filter. There is a little of the usual occasional rattle often heard on old MX5s caused by slight play in the spigot bearing but this won't get any worse and it can be left alone. When its time for a routine clutch replacement, the bearing can also be replaced then.
I mentioned a few upgrades: these include a set of adjustable Tein coil-overs and these are in excellent condition. The car has been set up to sit a touch lower than standard but ride quality is excellent as is handling. Its also fitted with Advan RG 14" alloy wheels and these are unbelievably light and very sought-after. These are fitted with a matching set of Uniroyal Rainsport tyres, all in good condition. Final touches are the fitting of an engine strut brace and upgraded Halogen H4 headlights.
I also mentioned that this one is 'kind of a 1991 Eunos'. The original importer stated that this was registered in Japan in November 1991. However, when I first looked around the car, it was apparent to me that this was an even earlier example. I know that I'm going to sound like a bit of a geek here but the giveaways to me were that it only has one hole in the bonnet slam panel (next to the bonnet latch mechanism - later cars have two holes) and it also has hood catches that are finished in gloss black rather than a satin finish. Further investigation which included cross-referencing chassis numbers, revealed that the car was actually registered in Japan in February 1990 and was probably built in late 1989. Does this lot matter? Probably not though I know the earlier cars are very popular among certain enthusiasts and collectors.
This has clearly been loved by someone and well looked after. There is a small collection of receipts for parts bought and work done along with a pile of old MOT certificates and I have two keys for the car. Its MOT tested until July 2021 and a check on the HPI register shows it to be free from any previous accident damage. I have gone through the car carefully, servicing it and replacing both track rod ends, adjusting the handbrake, cleaning the electric window mechanisms and a host of smaller jobs. It drives really well and its excellent to blast down a good twisty country lane. Its not perfect with various minor paint imperfections for example but considering that its 30 years old, this is a really nice, sound example.
Price is £3495.
STATUS: NOW SOLD
First of all, the bodywork, probably the biggest factor when buying any MX5/Eunos, is in very nice, sound condition. The sills/rear quarter panel areas on both sides are very good indeed with no signs of previous repairs and no signs of rust. Its the same with the wheel arches - front and rear: all are solid and rust free. In fact there is no rust anywhere on the outer bodywork. Underneath its very good too with no signs of previous repairs. Everything underneath is sound and solid - floors, lower sills etc. The only point worth mentioning is that the floor box section on one side has suffered some damage as a result of clumsy jacking though this is just cosmetic. The car has certainly had some paintwork at some point and while its very good, its not perfect with various small marks and imperfections in line with its age. It looks very good though and is certainly a very eye-catching car.
Inside everything is in really smart and clean condition. There is the usual small amount of wear to the driver's seat bolster, though its not holed. The dashboard and all plastic trim is in good undamaged condition too. It has a lovely Momo leather rimmed steering wheel fitted. The JVC stereo works well and plays CDs as well as having both USB and Aux inputs. It has recently had a new black vinyl soft top fitted so this is in very good condition.
Mechanically its all good too. The engine feels really strong and as is typical of a good Eunos, loves to be revved hard. The clutch and gearbox work and feel as they should with a nice change action. It has a performance cone air filter which always helps and its just been serviced with new NGK spark plugs, new silicone spark plug leads and new oil and filter. There is a little of the usual occasional rattle often heard on old MX5s caused by slight play in the spigot bearing but this won't get any worse and it can be left alone. When its time for a routine clutch replacement, the bearing can also be replaced then.
I mentioned a few upgrades: these include a set of adjustable Tein coil-overs and these are in excellent condition. The car has been set up to sit a touch lower than standard but ride quality is excellent as is handling. Its also fitted with Advan RG 14" alloy wheels and these are unbelievably light and very sought-after. These are fitted with a matching set of Uniroyal Rainsport tyres, all in good condition. Final touches are the fitting of an engine strut brace and upgraded Halogen H4 headlights.
I also mentioned that this one is 'kind of a 1991 Eunos'. The original importer stated that this was registered in Japan in November 1991. However, when I first looked around the car, it was apparent to me that this was an even earlier example. I know that I'm going to sound like a bit of a geek here but the giveaways to me were that it only has one hole in the bonnet slam panel (next to the bonnet latch mechanism - later cars have two holes) and it also has hood catches that are finished in gloss black rather than a satin finish. Further investigation which included cross-referencing chassis numbers, revealed that the car was actually registered in Japan in February 1990 and was probably built in late 1989. Does this lot matter? Probably not though I know the earlier cars are very popular among certain enthusiasts and collectors.
This has clearly been loved by someone and well looked after. There is a small collection of receipts for parts bought and work done along with a pile of old MOT certificates and I have two keys for the car. Its MOT tested until July 2021 and a check on the HPI register shows it to be free from any previous accident damage. I have gone through the car carefully, servicing it and replacing both track rod ends, adjusting the handbrake, cleaning the electric window mechanisms and a host of smaller jobs. It drives really well and its excellent to blast down a good twisty country lane. Its not perfect with various minor paint imperfections for example but considering that its 30 years old, this is a really nice, sound example.
Price is £3495.
STATUS: NOW SOLD