My RS

RS update - and some other stuff from Dewi's world

I've now decided to keep the RS seats black, I came to the conclusion that changing the colour of them would only be for the sake of doing it, and really they should be kept original. I mailed out to a few local(ish) trimmers a few weeks back sending photos and description etc but have had no replies from any of them, except for one which sent an estimate for £600. That was for doing them in the original type of brushed nylon material. I was thinking about it but it seems a tad over the top given the simplicity (for a trimmer) of the Recaros.

Problem is that I'm quite deaf so struggle with the 'phone and people seem less likely to respond to an e.mail than to a 'phone call. I find that quite a lot when trying to get prices and such from traders, it could be that lot of companies just don't read their e.mails.

I've decided to sell the Tailgate McNoIndicate 'bike as well, I really need to start looking after what little hearing I have left and it's damned noisy inside a crash helmet, even with ear plugs in. I'll use the cash from the bike to buy a daily driver car I think, the missus keeps nicking the other one. I've been looking at Fiesta STs, the old shape but a lot depends on insurance because I don't think I can use the bike's no claims for a car so I'll have to start a new policy afresh. Going to miss the bike though, I've been riding since my teens.

Back to the RS - I managed to pick up another 1970s vintage Raid steering wheel for it a week or so ago. The one I bought last year was nice but it's made with faux leather, this one wasn't as cheap but it's genuine leather and in much nicer condition than the other one was - which I had to refurb before using it. This one is the same 340mm diameter but about 3-4mm thicker so it feels really nice and chunky, it's also almost completely flat with just the merest hint of a dish to it, I like a flat wheel. Not used it yet as the car is off the road for winter but I've had it fitted and it looks really nice I think.

Pics:







The one I bought last year




I've also been trying to decide which dials to send for from Adam at RevLimiter. After a few quick Photoshop mock ups I'm thinking of something like these, he does them in yellow too

The wheel looks pretty good there, always nice to have a proper leather one.

Love the wheel and the Mazdaspeed horn button!

It's been a busy few months since I last posted anything worthwhile on here. The RS still holds pride of place in the garage as work on the interior slowly takes place, the seats still haven't been been re-covered due to me having been let down by a couple of trimmers, but the centre console has had some work done. The tatty old radio I inherited with the car has been removed and now lives in the bin, in its place are two Stack gauges for water and oil temp. I have no need of a radio / music player of any kind so removing the radio and the aerial made sense - to me anyway

My lovely Tailgate McNoIndicate R1200R motorbike has been sold - something I'm very sad about but my hearing is really deteriorating now to the point where biking wasn't helping, it was probably more responsible than anything else in truth. So, it being 50 years this May since I passed my bike test it kind of made it a natural time to hang up my bike boots. My lad has two bikes - a Honda VFR and Fireblade, both of which I'm insured to ride so I've kept one of everything - helmet, jacket etc - should I feel the need for a quick blat on a bike at any time. The Tailgate McNoIndicate has been replaced with a Fiesta ST150 - 2008 vintage - as my daily driver. The missus is always out and about in the other car so having no bike now I needed my own transport. It's a great little thing.

Today I've fitted some new instrument gauges to the RS and had it out for a drive with no covers in place to set the needles in their right positions. The pretend oil pressure gauge has been replaced with one from an earlier car which actually shows proper oil pressure. I've not got any photos of the gauges fitted and finished as yet but I'll sort that out over the weekend and post them here. Tomorrow the instrument cluster will be put back together and fitted into the car properly.

Earlier this week I had to fit a new alternator, there's been a bit of a rumble from the front of the engine for a while now which I suspected was coming from the old alternator. When I removed it to get at the oil pressure sender unit and to fit a sandwich plate between the engine block and oil filter (for the oil temp gauge)I checked the bearings and wasn't surprised to discover that they felt a tad rough. Rather than mess about sending it off for a recon I bought a new one from MX5 Parts, it was ordered on Monday at 4pm and the van fella was knocking on my front door with it on 8am Tues morning.

I'll post some more pics up soon but here are a few taken so far.........



All jacked to get access to underneath for fitting the gauge sensors




Sandwich plate fitted




Pukka oil pressure gauge from an early NA




Pressure sender unit from an early NA




And here it is fitted to the engine block, it's a bit of a pig to get at but easier if the alternator and inlet manifold support bracket are removed




New alternator




Radio removed and replaced by two Stack gauges




Jass heater panel fitted, the original one was really dog eared and had gone all yellow, 'twas 'orrible







This is showing oil pressure at tick over with a hot engine, I've yet to set the needle properly against an accurate capiliary gauge I used to have on my V.Max motorbike. I'll do that over the weekend before putting the cluster back together. It was nice taking the car out for a run today, first time it's been out since last October / November - I love this car




Oh! And finally the Fiesta

Thanks Atlex. The dial faces? They're from a fella called Mark who runs a newish UK based company called MSX Dials, I designed the dials and he made them. He's a really top bloke as well, nothing was too much trouble for him. He has stock dials but nothing took my fancy so sent him my ideas and he turned them into reality.

Love this thread.

Also, those STs are cracking little motors.

You should put up something about MSX dials then... interesting to see someone else doing them!