How to date my Eunos MX5?

[cy88]

Bought an imported Eunos Roadster this weekend, and the registration paperwork doesn't actually have the date of manufacture on it. The vendor told me that it was a late 1993 - can this be confirmed with any precision from the vin number?

Interestly, the spec seems to match exactly the 1996 "special package" recorded here ...http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/guide_eunos.htm

Any help much appreciated. Picture below:

[benjc]

Is there a sticker on the door jam?

Are the indicator stalks straight or do they have an upwards kink in them?

Does the oil pressure gauge blip all over the shop or does it stay in the middle?

If you have a shot of the engine bay or the interior it would be easyier.

[r5gttgaz]

If you've not had her long I suggest a nice meal in a quiet restaurant then take it from there, she might even let you hit the limiter on the way home.

[benjc]

Just saw on your profile the interior shot.

It's most likely a '93 S-Spec, due to the straight indicator stlks and the metal surrounds to the door speakers.

Does it have a yellow strut brace?

[cy88]

r5gttgaz said:

If you've not had her long I suggest a nice meal in a quiet restaurant then take it from there, she might even let you hit the limiter on the way home.

benjc said:

Just saw on your profile the interior shot. It's most likely a '93 S-Spec, due to the straight indicator stlks and the metal surrounds to the door speakers. Does it have a yellow strut brace?

No brace in the engine bay, unfortunately no picture yet either

Its also got electric mirrors and windows and a brace across the back of the seats. There is a sticker in the door jam.

>> Edited by cy88 on Sunday 26th March 15:14

[MrFlibbles]

r5gttgaz said:

If you've not had her long I suggest a nice meal in a quiet restaurant then take it from there, she might even let you hit the limiter on the way home.

Curses! I was going to go for that gag, but would've exchanged "hit the limiter" for "rear end action"!

[benjc]

cy88 said:

Its also got electric mirrors and windows and a brace across the back of the seats. There is a sticker in the door jam.

Well! What does the sticker say?? If it's an S-Spec, it will say so on the sticker. My concern is that it doesn't have the Nardi wheel that the majority of S-Specs did.

The bracing behind the seat and the wheels suggest it's a bit newer than a 93.

I suspect it's a '94 speced up base car, but then if you give mazda uk a call with the vin they will be able to tell you for sure!!

[r5gttgaz]

MrFlibbles said:

r5gttgaz said: If you've not had her long I suggest a nice meal in a quiet restaurant then take it from there, she might even let you hit the limiter on the way home. Curses! I was going to go for that gag, but would've exchanged "hit the limiter" for "rear end action"!

It would be nice to get the arse out thats for sure.

[jazzybee]

benjc said:

cy88 said: Its also got electric mirrors and windows and a brace across the back of the seats. There is a sticker in the door jam. Well! What does the sticker say?? If it's an S-Spec, it will say so on the sticker. My concern is that it doesn't have the Nardi wheel that the majority of S-Specs did. The bracing behind the seat and the wheels suggest it's a bit newer than a 93. I suspect it's a '94 speced up base car, but then if you give mazda uk a call with the vin they will be able to tell you for sure!!

I agree, its unlikely to be an s-spec, suspension looks to high - the wheels and brace behind the seats look more 1994 std car with some options.

[cy88]

benjc said:

Well! What does the sticker say??

Ok, had the camera out this afternoon. I didn't want to publish whole of the vehicle ID hence the blacked out last two digits and bar code.



Can you tell any more from this? Not sure why there is a blank next to a/c, because it does have aircon?

Also engine bay for what its worth:



>> Edited by cy88 on Sunday 26th March 20:04

[tuttle]

For decoding an MX5 vin plate.
Courtesy of www.miata.net
The typical Miata VIN number looks something like this:
JM1NA3522L0100014

The J is Japan
1 = MI, US
4 = KY, US
M refers to Mazda Japan
Y = AAI (Mazda USA)
F = Ford
The 1 designates vehicle type ie: car
1=car
2=truck/van
3=van
4=truck
V=car [US]
The NA is the model ID
NA=Gen 1 Miata
NB=Gen 2 Miata
UF=B-2200
SD=MX-6
FC=RX-7. etc...)
The 35 is the body style
Body style codes:
Cars:
22=4 door sedan
23=3 door hatchback
24=5 door hatchback
31=2 door coupe
33=2 door coupe
35=convertible
41=2 door
43=2 door coupe
46=4 door sedan
52=Wagon (used in GLC)
62=Wagon (used in 323)
Trucks:
11=short bed (carb)
12=short bed (pre-1986)
13=B-series
16=B-Series
17=B-series
21=long bed (carb)
22=long bed (pre-1986)
31=cab plus
32=cab plus (EGI)
41=short bed (4x4)
42=2 door (4x2)
44=2 door (4x4)
51=long bed (4x4)
61=cab plus (4x4)
MPV:
52=4 door wagon (4x2 & 4x4)
62=4 door van
28=4 door van (FF)
The 2 may be engine code. We're not certain.
The 2 is a check digit
The L is model year (L=`90, M=91, N=92, P=93, etc...)
The 0 is the plant number (0=Hiroshima, 1=Hofu)
1=Hofu
5=Flat Rock
T=Edison
The 100014 is the car number, reset to 100000 and the first car of that year will be 100001.
Or, you can try out Matt Bennett's VIN Decoder.
www.hazmat.com/~mjb/candm/decoder/

[_Batty_]

T, you really do know some useful stuff

is the liner ready for 'rides' yet ??

[tuttle]

_Batty_ said:

T, you really do know some useful stuff is the liner ready for 'rides' yet ??

Nah mate, just a nerd with an itchy search engine finger.

The 'liner is going fine, but I'm really busy/skint at the mo so it is still on sorn. Don't worry you'll be amongst the 1st for a spin over the Mendips buddy. Missing the FTO much? Any more developments for a replacement?

[iaint]

MrFlibbles said:

r5gttgaz said: If you've not had her long I suggest a nice meal in a quiet restaurant then take it from there, she might even let you hit the limiter on the way home. Curses! I was going to go for that gag, but would've exchanged "hit the limiter" for "rear end action"!

Was going to suggest starting with flowers. Also try to meet the mother so you know what she'll turn into...

[_Batty_]

tuttle said:

_Batty_ said: T, you really do know some useful stuff is the liner ready for 'rides' yet ?? Nah mate, just a nerd with an itchy search engine finger. The 'liner is going fine, but I'm really busy/skint at the mo so it is still on sorn. Don't worry you'll be amongst the 1st for a spin over the Mendips buddy. Missing the FTO much? Any more developments for a replacement?

yeah have impending news on a replacement but will be certain in the next few days...
missing to FTO loads, my hearing is actually coming back
let me know when your free for a

[cy88]

tuttle said:

For decoding an MX5 vin plate. Courtesy of www.miata.net The typical Miata VIN number looks something like this: JM1NA3522L0100014

Thanks for that, although it seems to be for a US Miata. My vin number won't work in the decoder!! Looking at the last bits of your post and my vin number in the photo above, I guess that my car is a Mark 1 model (NA) and was the four thousandth odd off a production line (10044**). I think the 8C is something to do with it being a 1.8, as opposed to a 6C, being the 1.6? Still no year though


Edit: Noticed that it also has an airbag warning light on the dash, but no airbag!

>> Edited by cy88 on Monday 27th March 10:34

[cy88]

Owners Club FAQ said:

What was the first Japanese Eunos Roadster chassis number ? NA6CE-100021 First 1.8i Roadster = NA8C-100016 First J Limited = NA6CE-150211 First S Special = NA6CE-209203 First MK1. Series II = NA8C-400007 Japan VIN's decoded NA6CE-100021 NA6 or NA8 = NA6 - 1.6 Roadster or NA8 - 1.8 Roadster NA6CE (1989-93 120PS 1.6), NA8CE (1993-97 130PS 1.8), NB6CE/NB8CE (1998-present revised model, 1.6/1.8) C or CE = C - CE - ###### - sequence number http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/faq.htm

Guess mine must be between 1993 or 1997 according to this?

[PJLarge]

It's easy to find the rough date - look at the bottom seatbelt mount point, there will be a label on the belt just at the anchor point detailing the date of manufacture. The car will be within a few months of this date.

Phil.

[cy88]

PJLarge said:

It's easy to find the rough date - look at the bottom seatbelt mount point, there will be a label on the belt just at the anchor point detailing the date of manufacture. The car will be within a few months of this date. Phil.

Cheers. I'll check this later when I get home.