Something has been stolen but I can't tell what

[num2uk]

Either a grille or piece of bodywork has been stolen from the radiator area of my girlfirends MK2 MX5 but we both can't figure out exactly what is missing.

If somebody with a MK2 MX5 could post a picture of the front end of their car that shows the detail in this area I would be most greatful, I have serched in google and the classifieds but there isn't a photo that shows the detail I'm after in the photos I have found.

On a side note we are trying to figure out if the bit that has been stolen, has been stolen to fit to another car or if that bit has been removed in order to steal the car. ie in removing whatever it is in the radiator area gives you access to something that would enable you to unlock the car.

The towing eyes alos look like they have been fiddled with. Any suggestions on this welcome

Edited by num2uk on Tuesday 28th October 14:52

[redgriff500]

Post a pic of your 5 up.

But you may find that you had an aftermarket grill fitted and thats what's been nicked (only held on by 2x 10mm bolts.)

[franv8]

Maybe it would be easier if you posted a pic of the front of your girlfriend's car (without identifiable number plate) so we could look the other way round?

[franv8]

Spooky Redgriff - almost simultaneous posting. And we're only 20 posts apart too! (total posts)

[num2uk]

Ok, will do when I get home tonight, thanks all.

[num2uk]

Hi All

Here is the photo as requested. It still looks to me like something is missing, should there be something sitting behind the towing eyes?

[205gtinut]

num2uk said:

Hi All

Here is the photo as requested. It still looks to me like something is missing, should there be something sitting behind the towing eyes?

Looks to me like your grill is missing me old fruit.....

[num2uk]

Well that was my initial thought too, but in looking at the pictures in the classifieds it seems that the MK2 MX5 doesn't come with a grille there as standard and I seem to remember when cleaning it once as all boyfriends do , noting that it didn't have anything protecting the radiator, except those thin strips of plastic.

I'm sure something additional is missing, it just doesn't look right.

[Triumph Coupe]

num2uk said:

The towing eyes alos look like they have been fiddled with. Any suggestions on this welcome

I have no idea what is missing but I should point out one thing. Those "towing eyes" are not for towing the car. If you do try and tow the car from them you could well damage things. They are intended solely to tie the cars down on their suspension when they are being transported on the incoming ships. Many people choose to remove them as they look better without them and they don't really serve any purpose once the car has landed in the UK.

Can some MX5 expert confirm this for me before I get a thousand people jumping on my back?

[ali_kat]

Triumph Coupe said:

num2uk said:

The towing eyes alos look like they have been fiddled with. Any suggestions on this welcome

I have no idea what is missing but I should point out one thing. Those "towing eyes" are not for towing the car. If you do try and tow the car from them you could well damage things. They are intended solely to tie the cars down on their suspension when they are being transported on the incoming ships. Many people choose to remove them as they look better without them and they don't really serve any purpose once the car has landed in the UK.

Can some MX5 expert confirm this for me before I get a thousand people jumping on my back?

Am not am MX5 expert, but can confirm that there is no way you should tow a car using those "eyes"

Dunno if your theory on the tieing down is right either, but I DO know not to tow a car like that

Hope this helps

[paul99]

Unless you had an aftermarket grille fitted in there it looks like a standard MK2 front end to me.

Theres a good selection of grilles around, i went for a mesh one from MX5parts.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Looks perfectly normal to me. You can fit a grille if you like but Mazda didn't see it as a requirement and I've never heard of a rad being holed by flying debris...

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the tie-down/tow hooks. Yet they are used to tie the cars down during shipping and they shouldn't be used for towing the car long distances but they are bolted direct to the chassis so as long as it's done correctly (i.e. only use one, don't loop the rope between the hooks, or even better, use a towing bar) they are absolutely fine for towing the car short distances.

[redgriff500]

Triumph Coupe said:

num2uk said:

The towing eyes alos look like they have been fiddled with. Any suggestions on this welcome

I have no idea what is missing but I should point out one thing. Those "towing eyes" are not for towing the car. If you do try and tow the car from them you could well damage things. They are intended solely to tie the cars down on their suspension when they are being transported on the incoming ships. Many people choose to remove them as they look better without them and they don't really serve any purpose once the car has landed in the UK.

Can some MX5 expert confirm this for me before I get a thousand people jumping on my back?

Its kind of true...

But as I said to the guy I was going to recover...

Now you've removed them, where exactly, do you want me to attach a rope ?

I remove one and leave one so there can be no cock up (although I still doubt that towing using both would pull the chassis rails inwards)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I have one towing eye on the front. I'd remove a rear one but you can't on the Mk2. Some track-day operators won't let you out on track if you have no way of towing the car from the front