Mk1 NA***RESTORATION***

[John&Luke]

Looks really smart JL, what's your plan for the boot/fuel levers and hand brake? i was planning on going for a similar look but may be a shorty console to house the window switches, are you moving your window switches to the blank at the front of the tombstone?

I have relocated my boot/fuel levers to the underside of the passenger seat for emergencies only (and security reasons, i was planning on not having a soft top just hard and bikini top, not sure if that's a good idea or not yet lol) and I have installed solenoids to both the boot and fuel flap which I can operate from my alarm fob

Keep up the great work

Hi Graymattor, not sure regarding the fuel release. What solenoids have you used please?

[graymattor]

Hi JL, to be honest its been that long since I installed it I am not sure what make of solenoids I used, but i think it was a 4 door universal kit, I installed for central locking and the reaming 2 I used for the boot and fuel flap. I had to make an angled aluminium mounting plate to get the pull direction angle correct and then just used wire between the solenoid and fuel lid catch, then i wired it back to a spare connection on my Toad Ai606 alarm system which is well known, cheap and great for addons (I've fitted a close proximity senor to warn people away) and wiring with universal kit so now my single fob locks/unlocks pops the boot and pops the fuel.. I thought I had a photo of the set up but I cannot seem to find one, if you would like one i will unbury the MX so i can open the boot, but it was nothing special, a man of your skills would do a far better job.

Just found what i ordered on my amazon account - here is a link but currently unavailable but its nothing fancy, I didn't want something too heavy duty, i made that mistake before when installing on an old car i used the huge magnet type and every time it opened it went with a right bang!!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01H06Z39Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I really need to get a build thread up for my car, I have plenty of photos to dump!! most of which look horrendous and the rest were taken so I don't for get how i have done things! I have done a few different things like shaving all the mechanical push switches and installed magnetic reed switches behind flush panels, things like that because I'm odd lol!! ill see if i can start a build thread tomorrow, as mentioned before im not a great fan of sharing things, but the guys (and gals) on this forum seem a lot nicer and helpful compared to the keyboard warriors from old forums who have now jumped on to facebook (which I'm on but don't post on)

[John&Luke]

Looks great JL, I would too also be very chuffed with your results, you have done a great job.

I've always wanted to get in to automotive trimming, it really appeals to me, I've done some DIY work in the past but nothing with a diamond stitch, I've never had a machine industrial enough, i was booked on a training course on the south coast but ended up having to cancel it, but this is going back some years now.. I cannot offer any assistance, but id be interested to know what type of machine you have and foot you are using, are you using a walking foot/even feed foot, these will help with the bunching up..

Graymattor, re your question on my Sewing machine, it’s a home machine that I purchased off eBay. I’ve fitted an add on walking foot which does help. I’m limited by the machine both in terms of the material it can handle and needle/thread thickness.

I would love an industrial walking foot machine but.... circa£600 for a good secondhand one. I don’t think I can justify the cost.

Pictures of my current set up.

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[John&Luke]

Kind of car related. Found a better industrial walking foot sewing machine.

Now installed and ready to go. It’s a bit of a beast, will need to learn speed control as it’s a bit fierce at the moment. Practise I’m sure. Anyway if you enjoy the odd picture of a sewing machine (like who doesnt ) here goes.

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[Mazda Mender]

[graymattor]

Now that looks like a capable machine!! there will be no stopping you now JL

Id love to one day get my self an industrial sewing machine

Keep the updates coming, looking at that machine I can see MM starting a new section of the forum

[John&Luke]

Welcome to Sewing Cornor

Thanks Graymattor, Doris (what I have named my machine) is a beast. Need to spend some time getting to understand how to use her.

Anyway tonight’s sewing project being a vinyl cover for Doris to keep her warm and clean when not being used. About 3 hours later

Cover made (I could of course have been doing something useful)

Bespoke sewing machine covers R us.......

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Not sure it beats spanner time but it’s another skill of sorts

[Mazda Mender]

M-m

[John&Luke]

Little update to sewing corner- made my handbrake gator tonight.

This is the process I followed. 1. My pattern

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Then sewing the first seam, this is called a french seam and is sewn inside out, in fact most of the gator is sewn inside out which takes some get your head around.

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The finished seam

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Note my stitching runs out a bit at the bottom RHS - thankfully this is not seen.

Then the finish gator in place.

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Pretty pleased, not perfect, but I’m gaining experience and confidence with every job

[graymattor]

Looks great JL very well done

You are making me want to go out and buy an industrial sewing machine but unfortunately mine needs more of a welder than a sewing machine at the moment

[John&Luke]

Bit of a interior update, started on my new door cards. Using the old card as a template, using 3mm ABS plastic sheet.

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And then machined some diamond stitched padding for beneath the doors. Needs a couple of popper studs to secure it then jobs a good urn.

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[blackyb]

Looking good. Just goes to show what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.

You will be taking orders next !!!

[Lumphammer]

Very nice work John!

Interested with how you get on with the ABS, i need to do something similar, was going to use hardboard but this looks better. Will the adhesive for the skrim stick OK?

The diamond padding beneath is proper style! Love it

[John&Luke]

Very nice work John!

Interested with how you get on with the ABS, i need to do something similar, was going to use hardboard but this looks better. Will the adhesive for the skrim stick OK?

The diamond padding beneath is proper style! Love it

Re the ABS I was in two minds. The ABS is very easy to cut and then sand/file. It’s clearly more waterproof that milboard/ply. I was told to clean before applying adhesive (clearly makes sense) ABS is used on a lot in modern interior parts so hopefully no real problems. I intend to staple as well (as OEM) and have found some 3mm staples which work well.

I went for white so it’s easy to mark etc.

[John&Luke]

Update on my door cards. So I have spend a lot of time working this out. Its a new skill, and therefore a steep learning curve. Actually starting to enjoy now I know what I should be doing.
I started by sketching out my design. Wanted to focus it around the teardrop speaker cover.

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Then to turn this into a template. I’m using thick card for this.

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it actually takes a surprisingly long time to get this right. Then to turn this into a diamond stitched vinyl panel.

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Pleased with this I then made the bottom template (ok I ended up making three templates) I won’t go into details but it is harder than it appears as you have to include seam allowance and figure out the stitch line

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Once I had the bottom panel cut out of vinyl I had to join the two pieces together

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Next step to glue and staple the vinyl to the door card and then a trial fit.

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So very pleased with my work. Have unique door cards. Think the second card will be done in half the time. Yes I could have got someone to do it for me - BUT - where is the fun in that