GT-Roadster: May 2009

Parts of the day were rainy. Rain soaked photography is always cool.

Stripe is back in black this time. I'll probably play around whith the design over the next few days.

But it breaks up the car and highlights other areas. Always just something different.

Russ.

If your sight is a little like the above pic. Not quite clear... You're porobably old and it's time for some glasses. Stay safe.

New Oakley RX frames and some new lenses for me. I can see clearly again.

Russ.

RE-30 + DAMD skirts. Pretty sweet. Not sure about the skirts though. Too much chrome? But the wheels are awesome. Bonnet too. When will it happen....? who knows.

And some other stupidity.

Black variations

Russ.

Playboy MX5 Cup is the US based series.

2008 USA MX5 Cup is available on Youtube. Its a good way to get up to speed with teams and drivers. There is a playlist made so Check it out. dont forget HD

As for 2009. All cars are updated to the new shell. Looks good.

Top pic was winner of Race 1 - Miller. Check MER team

Below pic is winner of race 2- Lamb.

Check out the forums too.

Russ.

I have an old bumper in the house. I cant bear to throw it out. Maybe a new front will come of it.
I designed this GT-Xtreme Monster Roadster. With the STI wing and hood scoop I think it looks pretty good. Below the GT-Xtreme Type I is less agressive but none the less better than stock. I hate the ridge that runs around the bottom of the stock bar.

Russ.

I remembered I found RE-30 in Formula Silver without the chrome lip. I chopped them onto my friend Aki's GTR. I think we'll be ordering almost the same wheels. Mine will be a bit skinnier. haha.

This looks awesome.

I've eliminated almost all possibilities of running 19" rims without much trouble, so the answer is 18x8.5 +50ish and 225 rubber. This will allow me to dump the car and still remain perfectly ok with ride quality and performance. So I am back to the true JDM, (Almost... That would me 16" rims.) lightweight performance models.

I went and looked at some SSR Type F today at "Crystal" and they looked pretty good.
+50 face 1 still has sufficient centre depth to look cool and the Flat black is also cool.

But I am also considering the ultimate Rays RE-30 also.

The problems with Rays RE-30 is choosing a colour and 2 keeping them clean. I must say I am not a great fan of the Formula Limited with Diamond cut rim. But it's probably the best match. The normal silver is a bit bland. Bronze or Hyper Bronze and Grey don't match at all and new Black Machined lip are a bit wierd.

The last option is Advan RGII, RZ or RS-D, but I feel they will be almost the same as what I have now. So the reason for updating is almost zero.

So I think the Type F will probably get the nod.

Russ

I saw this STI GRB on another blog and the front fender lines got me thinking strange things again. Something has to make the NC grunt worthy.

Russ.

Well today I went to a few wheel shops to get an idea of what 19" wheels will be like. "Someone must have some?" After an afternoon of not much success. Late in the day, I found these Work Goocars in Up Garage. Shops in Japan are open until 9 or 10pm so these were fittet as the sun set.

Goocars kind of have that Watanabe style to them but with a chrome 5 spoke they loose all JDM intentions. However, inital impressions were OMG! AWESOME! AMAZING! The guys in the shop are all "Kakko ii!" (cool as), but as you stand back and think about it in detail the reality is far from ideal.

Tyre size was 215/35/19 exactly as I desired, so it was good to see how big they were. And they were, but turn radius was OK!

This was good to find out. The Nankang NSII tyres were still sitting high on 7.5Inch rims so stretching them over a wider rim would also be beneficial and help the "look" of the car.

The extra height was not really an issue although it did look a bit SUV like. To have the desired low down drop on the guts stance, I would have to drop the car to its limit. I only have about -15mm left on my Ohlins. It may not be enough.

Fitment wise 19x7.5 +40 is spot on. For anyone with 7.5Inch wheels I'd recommend +40 for perfect fit. The rear fenders would need trimming no matter what wheel, But you could potentially drive these with little scrape as it is. Jumping on the door rail showed a hint of touch.

I photoshopped the above pic to show how it would look with the ohlins further down.

I actually considered these wheels a year ago before I bought the car. It was one of the concepts of how I wanted the car to look, when I was looking to buy.

So the result of Today's little test has me pretty firm in the 18" market... or maybe... the 19" concept will come to fruition. I am also thinking to stick to the JDM tuning look for the car. Even with hints of chrome on the car, they are that, just hints, so being would accent rather than dominate any choice I make.

I also spent time in Super Autobacs and Fuji wheel corporation looking at all the Weds choices in 19" and this dumper kei car in the parking lot.

But the SSR Type F in matt black still stood out and caught my eye.

Thats available in 19" you know.... arrrrrgggggghhhh. I hate Choice.

Russ.

If anything is going to sway me from 19" its going to be these RAYS G-Games 77SOG. Due in June, they have a deep concave design in 8.5" and a wide offset that may "just" fit. Benefit... Cheap!

Russ.

One of the guys on Carview added the GT-R style garnish to their M'z lipped Roadster.

His silver car looked pretty good. So I tried a quick chop, its a high impact design, that means controversial. I'm not so sure I could live with it full time, but the front of the NC needs something. It would solve my hole dilemma but still leave me with an unused number stay.

Will I ever stop dreaming... hahaha

Russ.

I had the tape in my hand. ok lets wrap the car once.

It really accentuates the shape of the fenders.

Even the rear looks pumped.

The front looks pretty good and the best thing was that it covered the stupid holes I have from my old number plate.

In this pic I could almost contrast the body to be black as I intended.

I have a thing for two tone cars.

So, Bring on the pace car project... Chech this chop... Very cool but it will never happen.

Just a bit of fun.

Russ.

I don't wash my car too often. But when I do, I am always satisfied with the car as is...

But it only lasts for a while until some crazy theme comes to mind.

Russ.

I got around to cutting the rear panels today for the Ohlins adjustments.

Once I attatch the doors they will be good to go...

Russ.

Nopro's new NC2 nose is very Mazdaspeed looking. The only difference is the light fittings allow for NC2 Lights, therefore the bumper is a little longer. You can notice this most near the side ducts as they are recessed further. The centre section has the happy curve and the bottom lip has a centre support in the lower opening. Only purists would pick it. I was very surprised when I saw the design... or lack of design.

The very popular Mazdaspeed front is a winner, but why not a new design. I'm not a fan of copies, so everyone is going to say its a Mazdaspeed front and there is a loss of brand image. I also think the NC2 design is a little smoother and deserved better. Just observations.

NC MS front vs NC2 Nopro Front

You can see Nopro creativity below though. Their old kit is awesome.

Russ.

When I am driving around, I always take a lot of pictures, but I rarely get any of me driving around.

Heading Off.

Behind on the Tomei Highway

Returning the favour.

Heading up to Fuji.

Carbon shining in the sun. I would recommend Craft Square mirrors to anyone. Aestetically pleasing and functional. I do not have a blind spot anymore.