Mazda Eunos 1.8 S-Special 1996
Latest arrival at Goodwood Sportscars is this 1996 Mazda Eunos 1.8 S-Special finished in Brilliant Black with dark cloth seats. This is one of the later 'Type II' cars which means it has a lightened flywheel, improved ECU, later Torsen 4.3 limited slip differential and lots of extra under-body bracing. all of which is factory fitted. These later cars feel quite different to the standard 1.8 with an engine that is even keener to rev hard.
This one had been stored away, unused for 14 years so we have carried out a huge amount of work to bring it back to life including repairs to the sills and floor by a first class MX5 bodywork specialist, new front brake calipers and pads, comprehensive service including new timing belt and water pump, replacement black mohair roof from a Mk2, Koni adjustable suspension and new clutch and finally a new MOT.
I drove it back up North recently covering 250 miles and it was just brilliant. I got stuck in hot motorway traffic, drove through city centres and finished it off with the last 35 miles blasting along B roads and it drives as well as any MX5 I've had - and better than most. Its covered around 105,000 miles and has electric windows, power steering and stainless steel door speaker surrounds.
Inside its clean and tidy with no tears or rips to the seats or carpets. The dashboard and all trim is in good condition. Its fitted with a Momo leather rimmed steering wheel and still has its original Nardi gear knob (which has seen better days but is the original and I know how hard these are to find - worth getting repaired perhaps?) The electric windows have just been cleaned and lubricated and the Sony stereo works well and has an electric aerial. The air conditioning seems to work but simply does not blow cold.
As ever its bodywork that is one of the most important points of any MX5 and on this one its very good indeed with no rust in the usual places - sills, wheel arches, wings etc - or anywhere else. As mentioned, its recently had sill and floor repairs by a good specialist. This wasn't a smear with some filler followed by a blast with an aerosol but a comprehensive job which involved cutting out any suspect metal and replacing with new. Its an excellent job and the car is utterly solid - I have some photos to back this up. Underneath its completely solid everywhere. The paintwork is good with no obvious dents or damage but does have some very light scratched here and then in line with its age. A session with a big bottle of T-Cut or even better, with a car detailer, would work wonders. In any case, its still very smart and there is nothing here thats going to keep you up at night - its a very smart car as you can see fro the photos. The black mohair soft top is one from a Mk2 and has a glass window and its all in good condition. The 15" Wolfrace alloys are in excellent condition and have a matching set of Nexen NBlue tyres on them, all in good order and with plenty of tread.
Mechanically its all good. In fact its better than that as it drives so well. The engine bay is reasonably clean and there are no leaks or odd noises. Its just had a full service including new spark plugs, oil and air filters and new coolant. Gearbox is perfect and its just had a new clutch fitted. Front brake calipers and pads are new, rears are in good order and the handbrake has just been adjusted and set up correctly. Its sitting on a set of Koni suspension with adjustable shocks and these work well. I have spent time checking out the best settings and have arrived at one that isn't too hard and if anything, the car handles even better than standard while still retaining good ride quality.
Its just brilliant to drive with strong performance, excellent handling and no untoward noises or rattles. It spins round to the rev line easily and is great fun to drive as hard as you want - these MX5 engines are near-indestructible and this is a good one that behaves perfectly well and just as a good MX5 should. Its a very well sorted car and has been comprehensively checked over by my workshop with lots of small-but-important jobs taken car of such as soft top drain holes cleared, hand brake adjusted, reconditioned electric aerial fitted and electric window and lock mechanisms cleaned and lubricated.This is a really nice example of a late MX5/Eunos and is ready to use and be enjoyed by its new owner. Its MOT tested until June 2025. Price is £5495.
Status: Deposit Now Taken
This one had been stored away, unused for 14 years so we have carried out a huge amount of work to bring it back to life including repairs to the sills and floor by a first class MX5 bodywork specialist, new front brake calipers and pads, comprehensive service including new timing belt and water pump, replacement black mohair roof from a Mk2, Koni adjustable suspension and new clutch and finally a new MOT.
I drove it back up North recently covering 250 miles and it was just brilliant. I got stuck in hot motorway traffic, drove through city centres and finished it off with the last 35 miles blasting along B roads and it drives as well as any MX5 I've had - and better than most. Its covered around 105,000 miles and has electric windows, power steering and stainless steel door speaker surrounds.
Inside its clean and tidy with no tears or rips to the seats or carpets. The dashboard and all trim is in good condition. Its fitted with a Momo leather rimmed steering wheel and still has its original Nardi gear knob (which has seen better days but is the original and I know how hard these are to find - worth getting repaired perhaps?) The electric windows have just been cleaned and lubricated and the Sony stereo works well and has an electric aerial. The air conditioning seems to work but simply does not blow cold.
As ever its bodywork that is one of the most important points of any MX5 and on this one its very good indeed with no rust in the usual places - sills, wheel arches, wings etc - or anywhere else. As mentioned, its recently had sill and floor repairs by a good specialist. This wasn't a smear with some filler followed by a blast with an aerosol but a comprehensive job which involved cutting out any suspect metal and replacing with new. Its an excellent job and the car is utterly solid - I have some photos to back this up. Underneath its completely solid everywhere. The paintwork is good with no obvious dents or damage but does have some very light scratched here and then in line with its age. A session with a big bottle of T-Cut or even better, with a car detailer, would work wonders. In any case, its still very smart and there is nothing here thats going to keep you up at night - its a very smart car as you can see fro the photos. The black mohair soft top is one from a Mk2 and has a glass window and its all in good condition. The 15" Wolfrace alloys are in excellent condition and have a matching set of Nexen NBlue tyres on them, all in good order and with plenty of tread.
Mechanically its all good. In fact its better than that as it drives so well. The engine bay is reasonably clean and there are no leaks or odd noises. Its just had a full service including new spark plugs, oil and air filters and new coolant. Gearbox is perfect and its just had a new clutch fitted. Front brake calipers and pads are new, rears are in good order and the handbrake has just been adjusted and set up correctly. Its sitting on a set of Koni suspension with adjustable shocks and these work well. I have spent time checking out the best settings and have arrived at one that isn't too hard and if anything, the car handles even better than standard while still retaining good ride quality.
Its just brilliant to drive with strong performance, excellent handling and no untoward noises or rattles. It spins round to the rev line easily and is great fun to drive as hard as you want - these MX5 engines are near-indestructible and this is a good one that behaves perfectly well and just as a good MX5 should. Its a very well sorted car and has been comprehensively checked over by my workshop with lots of small-but-important jobs taken car of such as soft top drain holes cleared, hand brake adjusted, reconditioned electric aerial fitted and electric window and lock mechanisms cleaned and lubricated.This is a really nice example of a late MX5/Eunos and is ready to use and be enjoyed by its new owner. Its MOT tested until June 2025. Price is £5495.
Status: Deposit Now Taken
