Down & Out
It’s always nice to get emails about possible features, especially something along the lines of this Subtle Eunos Roadster and other less played with chassis in this country. Once I had seen a few pictures of this coming together over at Team Chihuahua I knew we needed to organise a shoot.
I love how a set of wheels, the right colours and an acquired ride height can set of the overall look of a car, this Roadster is actually sitting on the ground!… it’s insane, the ride height is incredibly low for Ireland and the owner managed to make the Journey which was 2 or more hours away.
The car itself is a 1999 Mazda mx5 RS or Eunos Roadster RS, the best MX5 available at the time of production. The roadster has been given very subtle exterior mods; if you look closely you will see the RX8 spoiler which has been crafted into the boot lid, Kieran brought Brendan from Team chihuahua along to carry out cars overall image.
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The bumpers have been smoothened also; reflectors, front number plate holder and rear keyhole have all been deleted.
The Roadster underwent some extensive arch work to make it go that bit lower. Mk1 MX5 arches were cut and riveted on pushing the overall appearance out while the standard bonnet was chopped and fitted with an s15 front bonnet skin.
Inside things remain very calm and subtle. The car manages to have such an aggressive little stance but not look out of place, or overdone.
Kieran retained the timeless Leather Nardi extras like the wheel and shifter that come with the roadster.
Keeping things inside the Mazda family Kieran opted for a set of black leather RX8 heated leather seats, an addition that fits the roadster quite well.
Under the bonnet is the 1.8 RS engine that revs to 8k rather than the standard 7k. This engine boasts 147bhp out of the box, a lightened flywheel and torsion LSD.
This engine has been treated to an ARC full induction kit.
The wheel choice is a set of 15″ SSR Dori’s. Kieran used a set of 4×100 to 4×114.3. The combination of 86 designed wheel, arch and modern shapes of the MX5 manage to work like a charm.
The Barrels were reversed, sanded and refurbed and a set of 4×100 to 4×114.3 adapters helped to create the desired stance and PCD.
Other goodies to note which came standard on the RS model is the 6 speed close ratio box, front strut brace and under chassis bracing, Kieran is running a set of XYZ coilovers to achieve an adjustable ride height for different purposes. The RS also boasted bigger 255 brakes which Kieren has added EBC yellow stuff pads and braided hoses.
It’s subtle, aggressive and has very minimal touches that many people would over look are some the things I enjoy the most. Its insanely low static set-up is very impressive but the owner is well aware of this, having a collection of MX5’s he wanted to take this one down a different route. The respray in Toyota super white and very simple exterior against the purple of the meshes works in all the right ways.
Seeing this in the flesh would make anyone smile, that little front end Mazda made that looks like a face! It’s nice to see a roadster go down this route. Clean simple and well executed. What’s not to like?
Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Handling
XYZ drift spec Coilovers
15″ Ssr Dori Dori Wheels
4×100 > 4×114.3 adapters
RS Package strut brace
RS Package LSD
Braided hoses
EBC Yellow stuff pads
Exterior
Toyota super white
Mk1 Mx5 Arches
Smoothened boot lock, reflectors, front number plate and rear keyhole
S15 bonnet skin
Rx8 rear spoiler.
Engine
RS 1.8 engine
Lightened flywheel
ARC Full induction kit
Interior
Nardi Leather Package
Leather electric RX8 seats
Alpine Double Din TV/DVD Player