Anyone need to know how a Miata shell goes together?

It so happens that I am unassebling a Miata shell spotweld-by-spotweld. If anyone has any questions about any of the structure, I would be happy to take pictures and information.

I'd like to see what it's supposed to look like inside the area where the rockers rust out.

I've seen the inside structure of my Miata's rockers, but that was after it had rotted and I was repairing it. The part I would like to see detailed would be the structure of the front frame horns of an NB, but I'm pretty sure you're playing with an NA, right Pete?

Woody wrote: I'd like to see what it's supposed to look like inside the area where the rockers rust out.

Here ya go. Repairing this area properly would be a hard job. The rocker goes all the way to the rear wheelwell as a single piece.

The surprise of this event was in picture 4. You can see where I had drilled the spots along the rocker flange at the bottom. I had assumed that the rear quarted would attach on this flange. Nope, if you look under the part with the surface rust, you will see where the quarter attaches.

My impression so far is that these things are build solid. There are a lot of braces and layers.

About 300 spotwelds done 2000 to go!

DeadSkunk wrote: I've seen the inside structure of my Miata's rockers, but that was after it had rotted and I was repairing it. The part I would like to see detailed would be the structure of the front frame horns of an NB, but I'm pretty sure you're playing with an NA, right Pete?

Yeah...it is an NA version.

Do you have any pictures of how the windshield frame attaches?

MrJoshua wrote: Do you have any pictures of how the windshield frame attaches?

I can get some. Any area in specific? Like I said, I am taking the entire shell apart one spotweld at a time, so will have a pretty good idea how it was built by the time I am done.

Are you in need of a panel to repair yours?

How big of a hurry are you in, cause I am kind of working my way forward.

Why are you doing this?

I'm interested in the spot welds to see if the windshield can be removed cleanly for a race car instead of just cutting it off. It will be awhile before the car is within 100 miles of me so no hurry. Thanks.

Woody wrote: Why are you doing this?

Curious as well

In the event that it's just a matter of being curious about how they go together and teaching us all a little something, than I applaud that with both hands.

Woody wrote: In the event that it's just a matter of being curious about how they go together and teaching us all a little something, than I applaud that with both hands.

Nothing so noble, so save the applause. It just so happens that the distance across the pinch welds on a Miata match exactly the distance between the inside of the rocker panels on a Volvo P1800 ES.

So, once I have removed all the extraneous Miata Bits, I am going to drop the Volvo P1800 shell over the Miata chassis like a glove and weld the sills and other bits together.

Instant 1996 Miata suspension under classic Volvo P1800 styling. It is perfectly logical no?

Here is a picture of the proof of concept effort. This particular Miata was way to rusty, and trimed to fit a bit different than I will do this time, but it did prove that it can be done.

MrJoshua wrote: I'm interested in the spot welds to see if the windshield can be removed cleanly for a race car instead of just cutting it off. It will be awhile before the car is within 100 miles of me so no hurry. Thanks.

My suspicion is that while it can be picked off, it might involve peeling a few other layers off first. Wheter or not it would make for a cleaner result I am not sure.

However, the windshield post IS on the "To Do" list for removal, so I will let you know and post some pics.

BTW, here's an exploded diagram of the NB.

To Keith:

Yeah, I agree, explosives would be good.

In reply to NOHOME:RE: 2,000 spot welds to go: It could be worse! The 1st generation Explorer 4 dr. had over 230 welds on each side aperture piece alone! I know it's a much bigger ride but still, it could be a whole lot worse.

Rupert wrote: In reply to NOHOME:RE: 2,000 spot welds to go: It could be worse! The 1st generation Explorer 4 dr. had over 230 welds on each side aperture piece alone! I know it's a much bigger ride but still, it could be a whole lot worse.

If you are trying to cheer me up, it's not working!

Going after the DS rocker panel tonight.

Nothing so noble

Dear sir I have to respectfully disagree. This project is beyond noble.

GTwannaB wrote:

Nothing so noble

Dear sir I have to respectfully disagree. This project is beyond AWESOME.

FAQFT (fixed and quoted for truth)

What I find awesome here is the diligence , NOHOME. I recognize that you had to back WAAAAY up to take another run at this project to make it your own personal version of right....Cheers, Sir!

I'm going to go ahead and applaud anyway.

Also, that doesn't look like a Volvo engine...

How is it that you guys are not following the BEST (yeah, I said it) build thread on the site?

P1800ES, Kinda.

Ethnic Food-Wrap Aficionado wrote: How is it that you guys are not following the BEST (yeah, I said it) build thread on the site? P1800ES, Kinda.

While I do like that people follow the build, I have to decline the best build thread nomination. That belongs firmly to the finned wonder known as "Tuna".

You see, I work in a nice warm shop full of tools and adult beverages. The car hobby even gets the nod from the wife unit It is almost too easy in that respect.

Ethnic Food-Wrap Aficionado wrote: How is it that you guys are not following the BEST (yeah, I said it) build thread on the site? P1800ES, Kinda.

I am now!

holy balls, how did i miss that?!