MAZ1986 - 1985 S3

[spirit r]

I assume US spec cars have a different heat shield to provide more clearance at the front of the carb.

The us carb needing more place for the cruise control unit connection.

[Casey]

Just adding to the photo collection

It was lovely to meet and chat to David and his wife Sally at the recent Yakushi meet. His car is in overall superb condition, albeit with a few minor cosmetic issues that David has plans to get fixed. I really liked the colour combo with the grey seats, Mazda should have done that as standard Dave's car is one of the last to be manufactured, so his theory is the factory were using up all the stuff they had left in the parts bins to construct his car.

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[A7RXY]

I once owned a '85 626 coupè in this colour, for some reason this paint and lacquer combination seem to age better than other combinations, it had a lighter brown interior than the RX7 but still never worked well.

[Richardnz]

So glad to see that the legendary MAZ 1986 lives and looks better than ever!

[DC_MXV]

I have been investigating the cosmetic issues and it looks like the car had the drivers side and bonnet resprayed at sometime before I bought it in 1996. The new paint is now shrinking back from areas such as the drivers door window rubber and around the windscreen washer jets. Also the newer paint has fine crazes which you can only see when up close. I spoke to the body shop who are currently painting another car for me and they have suggested that a full respray using modern paint would sort it all out and protect for many years to come. Just need to think what to do!!

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[A7RXY]

I have had a similar derision to make, mine is all original paint but on the top edge of the front wings the white primer is starting to show through, all the years of cutting back and polish have now had to stop and on a red car it needed to be done often.
Good luck with you decide to do.

[Richardnz]

My car has a similar issue, having be resprayed sometime in 1990s'. I think that a full professional respray using modern paint is the only solution for the fastidious owner. The expense though. ugh.

[Threesevens]

My car has a similar issue, having be resprayed sometime in 1990s'. I think that a full professional respray using modern paint is the only solution for the fastidious owner. The expense though. ugh.

I agree with Rich, if you can afford to do it get it done otherwise it will always nag you

[DC_MXV]

I have eventually had work started on my car to fully refresh the previous poor 1980s/90s respray. So far the car has been stripped and first few areas of rust addressed.
1. Bottom of drivers side A pillar.
2. Two pin pricks in drivers door where moisture had got behind side rubber trim.

No horrors found, small hole in wheel arch just behind rear of sill on drivers side, and early signs of some rot behind upper rear link mount on passenger side. This is to be removed shortly to see what is behind. May also take drivers side one off as well even though no sign of any problem.

Major decision now is which is correct shade of Opal Green to use. One paint supplier is definitely wrong, too grey/silver. The other looks subtly different depending what thinners are used. Either would probably work OK so just need to decide. I am sure nobody would be able to tell if car is same all over!

Exciting times.

Dave

[Casey]

On my screen, those colour plates look exactly the same

Whatever the final selection, she is going to look spectacular with a fresh coat of paint.

I look forward to seeing you next week at the NEC Show.

What stand are you on? MRC are on 4-780