Obelisk's Garage - Daihatsu Midget II, Mazda MX5 (NC2), racing mower

[Obelisk]

A little more work done to the Midge today:

I got a new bolt to replace the absent wing nut that's supposed to be for keeping the seat closed.

And a chance encounter with a gentleman who knew exactly what this car was resulted in him suggesting that I use aluminum/foil tape for the left hand bed panel - the previous epoxy and superglue fix partly failed and the bottom of the panel separated again.

It's... still a little obvious even with the touchup paint applied, but it's better than the blatantly visible crack that was there previously. With the top panel back on:

Once I have a bit more wiggle room (AKA i can afford the international shipping), I'm going to order a replacement panel for that side.

 

[Obelisk]

It's become readily apparent to me that I'm going to be putting a substantial amount of miles on the Midget in the near future, between recreational driving, errands and travel to and from car shows...

So I put in an order for M6 lifting eye bolts for the bed earlier today. I need a place to properly hook my bungee cords, so I can strap down cargo.

Now, I'm just planning ahead more than anything, but I do want some thoughts from you folks:

The Midget's got four symmetrical pairs of bolts along the sides of the bed that thread into the body (which secure the fenders and bed panels), but I'm not sure which pairs I want to swap for the eye bolts.

Using an older photo already shared in here, marked for visual convenience:

I was thinking of doing the #1 and #3 pairs (4 eye bolts all in) but I'll have enough to do all eight bolts if need be once the order arrives.

 

[Joey D]

I'd just do all 8. There's nothing more irritating than needing to bungie something down and not having the eye hook in the right spot or your bungie being too short to get to the eye hook you need.

 

[wfooshee]

Agreed... do 'em all.

 

[Obelisk]

Making this post more so I have a list to reference for later...

Midge still needs a fair bit of maintenance work. Following is my current to-do:

• Check transmission/transmission fluid
• Check brakes/brake fluid (right rear may be seized and/or there's air in the system)
• Check coolant - red 50/50 premix if I need to replace it
• Check A/C fluid - requires the car to basically be partially disassembled from the front (think it's ok, getting cold air.
• Check rear diff (might be ok)
• Autochoke either busted or needs to be adjusted - car splutters out and dies when started w/o gas pedal depressed just enough to sit at idle after engine catches
• Carb may need to be readjusted (could be a couple of things, car has a slightly high idle)
• Wiper replacement
• Alignment (wheel is crooked to the left when driving in a straight line - doesn't seem to be holding true in that position either)
• Washer fluid pump or tubing is shot, need to replace it (low priority)
• Eye bolts (already on the way, may be a while)

I might have to park it for a while if these issues end up being out of my budget.

 

[Obelisk]

Forgot to share this photo! The Midget went to its first major auto show yesterday.

I'll also be heading up to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum's Japanese car event this Sunday.

Also made what is arguably the most important mod to the Midge last night.

 

[Obelisk]

Had a little problem with tailgaters and people getting annoyed at me at red lights, so...

Yes, it's purposefully misaligned with the window frame. It's also fully behind the head rest, so it won't interfere with my rearward visibility in the Midget.