My New 90 BumbleBee

Okay, so it's not really a bumblebee (yet). A few weeks ago my daughter and I drove out to Jacksonville, TX (yeah who would have thought) to pickup a new toy found on craigslist. The car is bone stock, a little rough around the edges. A/C doesn't work, bumps and dents everywhere, a little rust, a so-so top, a few missing pieces of interior plastic, well you get the idea... a project car.

The plan was to get into a stock miata for autocross racing. So this car fit the bill. As soon as I rolled it off the trailer, the body began to lose some of it's dents and dimples. The goal is not to make it perfect, but I figured since I own a bodyshop I could kill two birds with one stone. 1) have fun, and 2) advertise! May as well paint it.

Here are a few of the before pictures, I'll upload more as I get more things done. Also, I have lots of questions on how to fix certain things on a budget... I can't afford to dump much money into this right now. If all goes well, I'll run it completely stock this year and next year I can start upgrading as money allows. I'm hoping to learn course driving skills first (I'm a rock crawler by nature, give me a jeep with lockers and a rock garden and I'll get through it), gradually my goal will be to go fast, and then faster, and of course faster!

My first question is... can my daughter also drive AX since she is only 14?


http://4lo.com/90miata/before1.jpg
http://4lo.com/90miata/before2.jpg
http://4lo.com/90miata/before3.jpg
http://4lo.com/90miata/before4.jpg
Yeah, a little rough, but that's okay... it cost me $1200 ($200 more than my budget.. dang!)

http://4lo.com/90miata/body1.jpg
The hood did have a little hail damage, not too bad, I think every panel will need a little help.

http://4lo.com/90miata/body2.jpg
My first iteration of paint scheme. I was thinking three colors, blue, silver, and red. Since then I've decided on keeping it a little closer to GregW's theme (just for fun). He's following a Corvette Grand Sport design (blue with white stripe). So I changed up and will follow the Transformers Camaro theme, yellow with black stripes... hence the "BumbleBee" name.

I think most clubs will allow only licensed drivers or learner's permit if they are accompanied by a licensed driver.

Welcome!

Looks like a diamond in the rough.

Is that rubber trim screwed into the back?

Welcome aboard!

Nice, welcome!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marmed

Oy first question is... can my daughter also drive AX since she is only 14?

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Nope. (unless you run SCCA approved Karts in 2 of the local clubs)

My 14 year old daughter and I ran an SCCA Rally a couple of weeks ago, since she was 14 she played the part of the navigator but it was a fun father & daughter day.

My daughter turns 15 in September so we are in the same boat as you guys.

Welcome!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ken o

Looks like a diamond in the rough.

Is that rubber trim screwed into the back?

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http://www.4lo.com/90miata/leftqtr1.jpghttp://www.4lo.com/90miata/leftqtr2.jpg
Yes it was. It looks like they might have tried to cover up a small dent under the left taillight. lol Now I have to plug all the screw holes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Nope. (unless you run SCCA approved Karts in 2 of the local clubs)

My 14 year old daughter and I ran an SCCA Rally a couple of weeks ago, since she was 14 she played the part of the navigator but it was a fun father & daughter day.

My daughter turns 15 in September so we are in the same boat as you guys.

Welcome!

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Hmmm, that gives me something to think about. I never thought about an actual road rally. My intention was not to license the car or carry insurance. (not to mention fix the A/C). But that does sound like a blast, I'll have to learn more about it. Thx

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/topcable1.jpghttp://www.4lo.com/90miata/topcable2.jpg
I found a little problem that hopefully someone has had luck repairing on the cheap. The tension cable (both sides) is broken, it's a plastic piece riveted to convertible top frame. I was thinking of drilling a new hole in the remains of what plastic is still there and re-rivet. Any other ideas?

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/leftmirror.jpg
As you can see, my drivers side mirror has a wood screw and a bunch of glue holding it together. I was wondering if anyone has found a cheap aftermarket design that fits the NA miatas. I like the look of streetscene, if not then I'll probably either buy a used manual replacement or a matching electric pair (i like the look better, the passenger mirror is tight like it's frozen so can't really adjust it anyway).

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/trunklock.jpg
I've seen a few rally type cars with aluminum "keys" in place of the above bailing wire. I've tried searching for such things and haven't found where to buy em. I could either fab one, or worst case get another tumbler so I'd have a locking trunk.

Those riveted cables suck... Buy new ones: http://compare.ebay.com/like/2206452...=263602_263632

Your car is a perfect candidate for a visit to Mazda-Nissan Heaven in Kennedale. You can pick up a lot of used misc parts (mirrors, softop hrdware/frames, etc.) on the cheap.

As for driving with your daughter: there are a number of people who run kid carts at SCCA and Equipe Rapide, so you could probably find someone to let her codrive a cart for a few events and decide if she likes it enough to buy a kart. There are a couple of girls who regularly race who came-up through the karts in the past year or two, and they are good. You could run your car and have her drive a kart at the same event. That'd be a fun family day until she is ready to drive the car, and she'll be much better prepared as a driver.

Welcome neighbor. :)

Thanks for the info. I have been buying parts from Mazda Heaven for years, it's a good yard (and where I'll buying my mirror if I can't find a decent looking aftermarket version). I might swing a few extra dollars and get new cables from eBay if there's not an acceptable workaround.

Hey Electro, my family and I ate at Babe's a couple weeks ago (driving by the lake makes me wish I had a boat... sigh).

/\ +1 Been a while since eating there, but their helpings sure don't help my figure. Awesome! Next summer we plan on getting the boat out more as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goofygrin

Those riveted cables suck... Buy new ones: http://compare.ebay.com/like/2206452...=263602_263632

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Ohhh good info. Thanks. I might need those too Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

My 14 year old daughter and I ran an SCCA Rally a couple of weeks ago, since she was 14 she played the part of the navigator but it was a fun father & daughter day.

My daughter turns 15 in September so we are in the same boat as you guys.

Welcome!

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I have a 13 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. A rally sounds like fun!
I cant find any info though. http://www.texasscca.org/rally.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GregW

I have a 13 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. A rally sounds like fun!
I cant find any info though. http://www.texasscca.org/rally.html

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Some banter from the last event here - http://www.dfwmiata.com/showthread.p...a-Flying-theme

Ohhhh... Man we missed out. I take my kids to the Vintage Flying Museum for the annual Warbird Woundup. Its cool! The open air miata would be a fun rally car. Now I need to finish it!

Here's the color scheme I'll follow on my 90 BumbleBee. For now I'll paint the front bumper to kinda simulate the grill and front bumper of this camaro. Later I'd like to build a hood and front bumper to closer match the movie car.

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/transformercamaro.jpg

Figured Id post an update to the car. Its still working on having a few little body issues repaired. Its so short that the body man decided to put it up on jacks to make it easier to work on. lol

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...w_101_1455.jpg

And today

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...icture_261.jpg

I didn't realize how many waves most body panels had, you could go surfing. Sigh. Anyway, the car could really use both doors and both fenders, sure would have saved time getting into paint. We'll see how straight it looks after paint, it will be fine for a weekend AX.

I'm looking for some cheap 5-spoke wheels to replace the daisy's. Trying to get a little closer to the transformer camaro look.

Almost ready for paint!

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...w_img_0562.jpg

This was certainly a country car as it has dirt EVERYWHERE!! We have alot of cleaning yet to do. Behind every part we remove, there is a pile of dirt waiting for us. sigh

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...w_img_0567.jpg


In the background you can see the twin miata... Soon they will both be shining in the sun!

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...w_img_0566.jpg

Here's a sneak preview of the color I chose for this "bumblebee", trying to dupe the movie car camaro color as close as possible (without the extra expense of a three-stage candy, which is what the movie car has on it).

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/cutinparts.jpg

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/cutinfront.jpg

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/cutinback.jpg

I decided to break apart the side mirrors to avoid masking off the non-painted parts. What a pain! I found this link with pictures http://www.cockyracingguy.com/door_mirror.htm which helped a bunch.

I replaced my drivers mirror too. If you look at the picture, it was "made" to work by the PO with screws and pipes.

http://4lo.com/90miata/mirrorbreakout.jpg

http://4lo.com/90miata/mirrorhack.jpg

Almost ready for paint. Today we finally bolted the bumpers, hood, trunk, and drilled a hole to mount the rear spoiler. Hopefully we can mask the stripes in the morning and finally hit the paint booth.

Here's what it looks like right now. The last photo shows a printout of what the Transformer stripes look like, that'll be our guideline.


http://www.4lo.com/90miata/prestripes1.jpg

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/prestripes2.jpg

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/prestripes3.jpg

NICE! loved the GS can't wait to see the Bumble Bee paint job. :clap: Loving the color too. The yellow is rocking.

Here's a few more update pictures. The car finally got it's stripes and into the paint booth today. Can't wait to see it unmasked and outside in the sun.

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/frontstripes.jpg

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/rearstripes.jpg

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/frontbase.jpg

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/rearbase.jpg

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/frontclear.jpg

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/rearclear.jpg

looks pretty cool!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CHeavin_2006

looks pretty cool!

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Thanks, next we'll "flatten" all the black except for the racing stripes, they'll stay glossy.

Looks great.

An outside picture, now the real work, putting it all back together. And just in time to finally... finally try our hand at autocross!

http://www.4Lo.com/90miata/frontviewoutside.jpg

Looks great. Be prepared for a lot of "What the heck kind of car is that?"

Nice!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by creek

Looks great. Be prepared for a lot of "What the heck kind of car is that?"

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Oh, I'm ready. I'm also ready for the haters and purists out there. No I'm not trying to make a miata into a camaro, or even a "transformer", yes I understand that there are those that think I'm ruining the look of the classic miata. I am just trying to have fun, I've never had a miata, or raced autocross, I'm looking forward to it.

I also have a Dodge Ram that I changed color on (did a complete black on white paint scheme, including painting inside the headlights) deleting all chrome. I think it looks good, others may not.

I also have a lifted Grand Cherokee that I take off-road, it's painted metallic red and has plenty of chrome, I like it as well.

Basically I'm a car guy and have appreciation for most projects, even some that I wouldn't be caught dead driving myself...lol.

My favorite saying is "If you have to ask why, you wouldn't understand the answer!"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marmed

Here's the color scheme I'll follow on my 90 BumbleBee. For now I'll paint the front bumper to kinda simulate the grill and front bumper of this camaro. Later I'd like to build a hood and front bumper to closer match the movie car.

http://www.4lo.com/90miata/transformercamaro.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by marmed

No I'm not trying to make a miata into a camaro, or even a "transformer".

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So which one is it? ;)

Car looks good BTW!

LOL... if I had the money to burn, I'd buy a camaro and hire a team of engineers to turn it into a transforming autobot... now that would be cool!

So no, not a transformer (or "transformer" in quotes, tongue in cheek), and nope not gonna be a camaro... it's just going to be my colorful tribute car to the movie bumblebee camaro, that I can run over and around cones with and hopefully enjoy.

Looking good! I can't wait to see it in person.

Wish I had the skilz or money to do that...

Looks good.

:clap: I think it looks great. Look for a track day to try out some time too. Have fun at the autox. :burnrubr:::ConeUP::ConeDOWN:drive: