Cheers

Have a couple of updates that were revealed at JAE,
firstly the addition of a lovely Mazdaspeed alloy oil filler cap bought from Ronin Adam.

Many thanks to Adam for getting it packaged up in time for fitting at JAE











Will post details of the second update, also from Adam, after sorting all the pics out.

I like that cap

I remember your eagerness in trying to fit it. The original cap was a bit hot wasn't it

I see you managed to adjust it also?

Whats the next update Howie

.............did nearly leave a burn impression in my hand, trying to remove the old cap straight after driving for 3.5 hours

and as for the adjustment...........not yet, just loosened it slightly for the pics

I'm very jealous of that oil cap Howie, it looks fantastic in the engine bay

You know my views on the car so I won't say anything else

Stu

Next update was another purchase from Adam,
some of you may have spotted me wielding a large boomarang shaped object, covered in bubble wrap, at JAE
But it was too windy for me to unwrap and fit

It was the rare EGR plastic bonnet protector, bought from Adam a while ago.

Adam had mentioned the black tint was marked and needed re-doing, when it arrived:





After much debating I decided the best thing for me was to try to remove the tint, back to the original clear/ light purple colour.

Bought some tint remover from ebay and tried out on one corner, several applications later:



Pleased with the results so I ordered another can of remover, just to be sure and carefully removed all the tint, after about 2hrs work:





This revealed the Mazda centre and EGR corner markings:





I also cleaned up and repainted the metal clips...........................and colour coded the top of the screws too



This lead to me spotting that the underside of the metal clips, that sit just above the top of the bonnet, were two sharp metal edges



After speaking with EGR Europe, they told me that you have to stick small clear plastic pads to the bonnet to prevent the clips from scratching

Or to protect the bonnet from the protector

Decided not to do this so fitted some rubber washers over the undersides.


I then was ready to do a test fitting:









I must admit that I'm not quite happy with the look of it fitted, it breaks up the shine and finish of the paintwork running down the bonnet into the nose.
Still haven't got the plastic finish looking shiny enough to match the paint,
combined with the risk of marking the bonnet I'm keeping it off the car at the moment.

I'm happy and will be keeping the protector, mainly for its rarity value.

Thanks again to Adam for fielding questions and for getting the item down to me safely.

I got to say you are making me wish i had bought it now but stunning work done to it already and really want to see it fitted properly. Also have you thought of colour coding it and seeing if it makes it blend in a bit more?

Did think about colour-coding it, but do like the original clear colour, still considering the idea if I can't get the finish to my liking.

I should have said temporary fitting rather than "test" fitting,
the above pics are with the protector fitted properly, but the potential risk to the bonnet paintwork is too high for me to use it full time.

Beautiful. . .I do however think it would look far better on a certain red F

I'm kidding of course. . I like the look of it on the car though, it looks very smart. . I do however understand your worry about leaving it on.

Stu

Some serious cleaning done there Howie, hard work I know, and your car is stunning as usual. I to would be very concerned about the potential damage that could be caused, but it certainly adds a touch of "exclusivity", may be worth using at shows for effect.

Cheers again,
I did think about fitting it on Sunday at JAE to celebrate 11 years of ownership of my F,
but decided the wind was liable to cause the protector to mark the bonnet surface.

Didn't realise that you have owned the car for that long. Great that you still have such a passion for it.

I'm not a big fan of it. Like you said, it kinda spoils the lines and the shininess of the bonnet.

I've just found the original invoice from Bath Mazda, dated 11.09.2000, Noble Green ZXi with 24,000 miles on the clock.
Bought during the fuel protests, when petrol was scarce so I couldn't drive it for a while
A couple of weeks later was my first date with my wife Liz, Sept 2000 was a truly wonderful time for me.

Have just clocked up 82,200 miles after returning from JAE, and still thoroughly enjoying my ZXi.

The cars a real credit to you Howie

Wow, We have found that our car was delivered to us on the 11th of September last year Our car's share the same anniversary.

Can you forward me the company that makes the boot mat please Howie, it would be greatly appreciated

The oil cap looks a million times better in your engine bay than it did in mine

As I mentioned in PM, I would colour code the protector too

Cheers Adam, still deciding which way to go with the protector

With the miles you do, I wouldn't bother with it

Haven't updated much recently, just been keeping her clean and shiny..............of course

Wanted to share a few New Year pics, firstly in the garage:







Then took her out for a wonderful run on Monday, and spotted this reflection before it got too dark.



This evening I moved my F out to try to get some clearer shots as the sun went down.

Nice!!! Just like a mirror glaze

Cheers

Been decorating my garage...............with the arrival of the Club323F calendar today







.........................and a couple of reflections for good measure





Many thanks to all who got the calendar idea organised and printed.

Howie

Ive a busy year ahead if im going to get my car looking anywhere near a tenth of how yours looks. Stunning as usual

I also see a rather nice picture of a certain couple of F's on the wall

They could be twins Daz

Nice cars!

I always love it how good ur car looks!
respect for that

They really look like twins!

Mines the ugly sister

Wow, this is what I thought i'd bought when I got the BJ one from ruprecht in Oz, bit gutted when it didn't fit

If you ever wanna get rid chap.....

When you contacted EGR, did they say whether they still make it?

Andy, when I spoke with EGR the bonnet protector was discontinued a while ago,
just like the headlight covers

I've had a few offers, but will be keeping hold of it for now

A "few" more pics I took this morning, after feeding our animals, with the sun just starting to come up

Gave a lovely clarity to the pics