S122A project commencing

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Noriaki paid a visit to the Arctic Circle Raceway on the way home. There were people around, but they hid well. Too windy to ask for a quick test lap anyway. Hopefully, there will be other chances once the front suspension has been upgraded (yep, that's next on the list).

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Local car show was on today. Modified 50s Cadillac took the best car of show, but Noriaki got a nice pile of votes, too. 

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Late one night a couple of weeks ago, an ad came up. NOS front bumper and grille. I did not hesitate! Parts have been in a loft for 30 years. Now the former Mazda employee was clearing up. So now Noriaki has a brand new NOS front bumper on. And I have a brand new NOS radiator grille to spare. Had an exchange with the seller, and now he bought himself a 1971 616 coupé. Sometimes attempts at clearing out leads to new purchases instead! 

[clive]

Good find Yngvar. I wonder if he has any RX-4 parts hiding somewhere.

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Will keep my peepers open, Clive. Provided they are shared with the 929 HT, there's a chance parts may show up. Last year a batch of 20 NOS bumper sections came up for sale, but it was all or nothing and bumpers for at least 6 different Mazda models. You'd need a warehouse to store it all!    I think there were rear bumper pieces for the 616/Rx2 in the pile, but there are at least 3 versions of those. Plus, I'd have to open a shop! 

Btw: isn't this what you call a "bumper crop"? 

[clive]

I cant recognise any of those at all 

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Time to get out of 2nd!   

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[clive]

Very nice video Yngvar, it really is a wonderful car.

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Thanks, Clive. Not quite Rx4 level yet, but not bad considering that, when I recorded this in early August, the car hadn't had a wash since 2020...   

MoT first thing on Monday morning. Fixed some electric gremlins today. Fingers crossed the old tie-rod ends will pass. I'm planning a full suspension upgrade this winter. Don't want to have to start on that just yet...

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Nine two's! 
Now, frankly, a couple of these were expected, but could have done without the hanging brakes (a trick Noriaki decided to perform again specially for MoT day after a trouble-free summer). And the oil leak. I knew tie-rods were shot. Steering box adjustment shouldn't be too much of a hassle, I hope. We'll, this means roll-up-sleeves-time for the owner, up-on-stands-time for Noriaki...

[clive]

So did you get a pass on the MOT ?

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Ah, sorry, I forgot our (EU-style) system is a bit different from yours. Well, I passed as in I was allowed to drive the car home and have not (yet) been banned from using it in traffic. I have to get it sorted by the 29th, though - or else! 

1 = minor fault: repair asap, or words of your sinking standards may soon begin to spread.

2 = major fault: repair asap and show car to inspector within the next 4 weeks. Fail to do so, and you're car will no longer be considered road legal.    

3 = safety hazard: your car is not found road legal. Trailer or recovery truck needed if you still want it (if it weren't for the negative environmental impact, you'd probably be chained to its engine and dropped in the sea)    

Our 2s were:
–Headlamp adjustment – Hmmm, untouched since the same garage last adjusted them 
–Right hand side reverse light not working (yes, that's a 2!)
–Brakes sticking right front and left rear
–Both tie rod ends worn out
–Both tie rod end rubber gaiters missing
–Both ball joint rubber gaiters missing
–Too much steering wheel play (a fraction under half a mile)
–Oil leak @ oil metering pump
–Water leak @ front heater-to-rad hose

Garage floor calling...

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It might be autumn, but springs are coming! 
Fixed five of the nine twos. Just tie-rods and gaiters to go.

[Casey]

It might be autumn, but springs are coming! 

    

Very nice!