How we’re prepping our Miata for Radwood | Garage Rescue Miata

David S.
Update by David S. Wallens to the Mazda Miata project car
Nov 2, 2022 | Mazda, Miata, bmx, Mazda Miata, Radwood, Garage Rescue Miata

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Photography Credit: Bette White, David S. Wallens (insert)

We’d had fun showing our 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera this year at the Radwood events at The Amelia and Lake Mirror Concours, so do we think about submitting our Garage Rescue Miata?

Here’s our thought process: The events have been fun so why not go back for more?

Okay, let’s go a little deeper.

Our Miata is a 1992 model that we’ve owned since 1998.

Here’s a photo from circa 1999, back when pictures involved something called film.

Now let’s all transport to today’s digital era.

The car still wears the same paint, the same top.

The stance has changed, but we had lowered cars back in the ’90s.

A big thing about the car’s original look: those white Kosei K1 wheels, some of the first ones to land stateside.

Well, that very set of Kosei K1 wheels just returned.

Those wheels originally wore a set of Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 tires before we moved to the Falken Azenis RT215, one of the first tires to dominate the then-new 180/200tw scene.

Without a time machine, we’re not likely to find a set of either tires in safe, usable condition, but could the Falken RT615K+ provide the right look in a modern tire?

Those old blue lugs have gone walkabout, but we can get new ones.

For the back of the car, we found this in the garage.

And, following the plan of pairing up a Radwood car with a Radwood BMX bike, do we hang this off the back? It’s the bike that our editor raced circa 2000–a 1999 DK ProXL. And we still have the bike rack that was used to pair these two together….

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Comments
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
11/2/22 9:33 p.m.

Now I get it! I hope the missing trailer hitch was located. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/2/22 9:45 p.m.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

I know, hopefully it turns up. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/7/22 11:57 a.m.

Don't want to jinx anything (I know, too late) but I think I have a few more pieces to this puzzle. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
11/7/22 12:05 p.m.

Every time I see Radwood cars kitted out with period-correct accessories, I wonder what modern widgets I should be buying/holding onto for when cars of today's vintage become classics.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/7/22 12:09 p.m.

In reply to Colin Wood :

All of them. (I know, not the best answer.)

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/8/22 12:09 p.m.
Colin Wood said:

Every time I see Radwood cars kitted out with period-correct accessories, I wonder what modern widgets I should be buying/holding onto for when cars of today's vintage become classics.

But, seriously, wheels as they have such a big impact on a car's looks. A '69 Camaro, for example, looks totally different whether on Cragars or 18-inch monoblocks. Going newer with an NA Miata–still not a new car–picture it on Panasports and then modern flow-formed wheels. Different look, right? 

With me, it's then been about the details: period stickers, license plates and plate frames.

And then go further: Look inside my 1984 Porsche 911, and you'll find a 1984 radar detector. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/8/22 12:13 p.m.

PS: Also, you won't see my ALF plush since ALF didn't debut until 1986.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/12/22 4:19 p.m.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

Now I get it! I hope the missing trailer hitch was located. 

Eric Orr

Located. :)

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/14/22 12:43 p.m.

And that trailer hitch represents some some real GRM history. I'll get something written up shortly. 

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