OK, gang. I found several things that I wrote up quite some time ago and never posted. I was sure that I had put them up and went back and checked the thread, but didn’t find them. Sooo, while I’m busy on getting the engine back in, I’m going to post the stuff I found. Keep in mind as you read them that this was all done months ago. The pictures and wording may seem out of order because they are. At least it will give ya’ll something to look at.

Just for a time reference, these posts should have been made after I got the LeMans style gas cap on and right after I took the first batch of parts to the chrome shop. This stuff was done sometime between March and August of 2020. This was during the time my company sent me home to separate the workers due to Covid and it was crazy thrash time for me trying to get the chassis to powder coat. Guess this stuff just got lost in the shuffle. I’ll post the up a few at a time to give folks time to read them. So here goes.

I also found another set of seats and fitted them. The original seats I used were out of a 1995 M series Miata. They have separate head rests (all other Miata's have one piece headrests and seats), fit the car well and look fairly period to the car. However, mine were in bad shape due to weather exposure and I was missing the Mazda seat adjusters. I added some universal adjusters, but they were just ok. The seating was pure sports car in that I was sitting pretty much on the floor with my feet stuck straight out in front of me in semi reclining position. As my back condition has worsened, this position became unacceptable. I doubt I could have ridden like that for very long. I needed a fairly upright position with a little drop to the floor. It was obvious that I had to change something.

I also found out that the M series Miata's were sold in very limited numbers in the US market. The only padding and upholstery rebuild stuff I could find came from Europe, where they were much more common. I had the choice of either getting custom covers made or getting a kit from Germany by way of the UK. Either choice would cost north of $600.

While I was delivering the parts to Tennessee for chrome, I found another set of seats out of an MX5 with a retractable hardtop. They are black leather and the top had protected them very well. There is one minor scuff on the leather that can be easily repaired. I got both seats and tracks for $300. They are much more comfortable on my back and have better bolstering for lateral support. They are not as period looking as the old seats, but I'll make that sacrifice for better long range comfort.

Here are the new seats: