Martin - The Daily Grand Tourer

Started by Felix, August 2, 2022, 13:28

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Felix

Hello folks.

I haven't done one of these threads in about 10 years, but here we go:

My name's Felix, I'm a mechanical puzzle designer based in Croydon, South London. In the past I've had:

A 1989 Honda Prelude:


A 1989 Volvo 740:


And a 1989 Honda Accord Aerodeck:


..But given the constant expansion of ULEZ in London, I've had to opt for something newer, and figured that an MR2 roadster is about the most fun you can have inside the ULEZ zone without spending £15k.

So I bought this beauty with only 51k miles and a solid looking MOT history:



He's called Martin.

My goal is to make him the perfect luxury daily grand tourer.

That will involve:

-Making the interior/dash look less like it came off a cheap van.
-A good satnav solution.
-An awesome sound system.
-Exterior mods - probably just lowering and a small spoiler.
-A bumper exit exhaust.
-Lots of other little changes to make it a joy to use daily.

Watch this space!
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Felix

Private plates swapped off the old Honda:





More coming as soon as more parts arrive..
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

puma2

 :) good range of cars there :)
lets us no what you get up to with your 2 :)
especially the sound set up 8)  8)   

Hammond

Looking forward to seeing this unfold 8)
05' silver

Ardent

Hello! loving the opening shot, that would go nicely in the photography corner thread. Great shot and car.

Short number plates really lend themselves well to these cars.
A stick on for the front with a lot of the white removed and a square type plate to the rear would look the mutts nuts.

Topdownman

@Ardent I agree about that 1st picture!

The rear square plate does transform the look imho.

The 4th picture  looks like you are carrying a miniature hatchback on your bootlid!
"Racing" tax disc holder (binned), Poundland air freshener, (ran out), Annoying cylinder deficiency,  (sorted),
Winner of the Numb bum award 2017
Readers Ride

06 not V6 readers ride

puma2

 :) love the 1st picture and love the car as well :)  :)

Felix

#7
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I started the interior improvements today. Firstly with this CNC-machined solid stainless steel doorknob (I used to be a doorknob designer), which I drilled out to make a really nice weighted gear knob, along with some gaiter adjustments:



Then a set of red carpets, which are admittedly not great quality. Maybe one day I'll use them as a template to make my own. But they look good in photos at least:





Currently awaiting delivery of a stainless exhaust manifold and a steering wheel...
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

McMr2

Quote from: Fefelarue on August  8, 2022, 18:52Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I started the interior improvements today. Firstly with this CNC-machined solid stainless steel doorknob (I used to be a doorknob designer), which I drilled out to make a really nice weighted gear knob, along with some gaiter adjustments:



Then a set of red carpets, which are admittedly not great quality. Maybe one day I'll use them as a template to make my own. But they look good in photos as least:





Currently awaiting delivery of a stainless exhaust manifold and a steering wheel...

That's novel! If you want to get rid of the exposed gearstick a cable tie or rubber band under the collar of the black cover will allow you to push it up against the underside of the knob.

2004 Silver. Stock(ish).

Ardent


Felix

QuoteThat's novel! If you want to get rid of the exposed gearstick a cable tie or rubber band under the collar of the black cover will allow you to push it up against the underside of the knob.

I actually want more of it exposed. I did what I could with the tools I had at work, but i'll be changing it again when I have a bit more time to play  :)
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

McMr2

Quote from: Fefelarue on August  9, 2022, 00:59I actually want more of it exposed. I did what I could with the tools I had at work, but i'll be changing it again when I have a bit more time to play  :)

I realised that was presumptive of me after posting!

Nice to have the skills and tools to be able to make the mods you want.
2004 Silver. Stock(ish).

puma2

 :) I like your detail and personal touches on your 2 :)  :)
even better when hand made by yourself  :)  :)

what other plans have you got for your 2 :)

work wise can you what sort of things you have done 8)  8)

Felix

Quote from: McMr2 on August  9, 2022, 07:14I realised that was presumptive of me after posting!

Nice to have the skills and tools to be able to make the mods you want.

Not at all! I like bare metal, most people don't as much  :))
Thanks - I can't weld yet but i'm fairly handy other than that!

Quote from: puma2 on August 10, 2022, 07:07:) I like your detail and personal touches on your 2 :)  :)
even better when hand made by yourself  :)  :)

what other plans have you got for your 2 :)

work wise can you what sort of things you have done 8)  8)

Thank you! My main plans are to basically make the car interior look and feel like it was made by the Italians  ;D

Work-wise, I have a website here: www.felixure.com and my instagram is @felix_ure if you're interested in the sort of stuff I normally do and make.
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Topdownman

Having had a look at your website, I can see how making a gear knob is no problem for you!

Keep the mods coming.
"Racing" tax disc holder (binned), Poundland air freshener, (ran out), Annoying cylinder deficiency,  (sorted),
Winner of the Numb bum award 2017
Readers Ride

06 not V6 readers ride

Chilli Girl

Quote from: Fefelarue on August 10, 2022, 10:37Not at all! I like bare metal, most people don't as much  :))
Thanks - I can't weld yet but i'm fairly handy other than that!

Thank you! My main plans are to basically make the car interior look and feel like it was made by the Italians  ;D

Work-wise, I have a website here: www.felixure.com and my instagram is @felix_ure if you're interested in the sort of stuff I normally do and make.
Great work Martin, well done. ;D
Ex owners of Chilli red facelift 52 reg called Chilli, silver 55 reg called Foxy and blue pfl W reg MR-S called Sapphire. Now 2 less!

Felix

After 2 months of waiting, this finally arrived:



It's a 320mm Momo Prototipo, and it should feel amazing and suit the look i'm going for.

So I put it on:







And yes it feels awesome, but unfortunately it's way too close to the indicator and wiper stalks, so next update will be me adding a spacer to bring it further towards me. But you get the idea of how it'll look.

Comments welcome. Thanks for looking!
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Ardent

#17
Damn it.
I have been on the look out for a suitable  325mm wooden steering wheel.
But that looks the mutts nuts.

Out of interest which boss did you go for?
I've already bought a HKB.

Topdownman

That does look very nice and looks good in your car.

Have you thought about changing your door handles? With your skills I expect you could come up with something very nice!
"Racing" tax disc holder (binned), Poundland air freshener, (ran out), Annoying cylinder deficiency,  (sorted),
Winner of the Numb bum award 2017
Readers Ride

06 not V6 readers ride

Felix

Quote from: Ardent on September 20, 2022, 20:57Damn it.
I have been on the look out for a suitable  325mm wooden steering wheel.
But that looks the mutts nuts.

Out of interest which boss did you go for?
I've already bought a HKB.

Thank you! The boss was a cheapish one from ebay which required a bit of modification to work - I would recommend getting a good branded one instead.

Quote from: Topdownman on September 20, 2022, 21:43That does look very nice and looks good in your car.

Have you thought about changing your door handles? With your skills I expect you could come up with something very nice!

Thanks! Yes I have thought about it and have some ideas  :)
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Gaz mr-s

Others have found under 350mm inhibits view of the top of the clocks. Will depend on seat position though?

Felix

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on September 21, 2022, 10:11Others have found under 350mm inhibits view of the top of the clocks. Will depend on seat position though?


I'm very tall so it was already inhibited. The smaller wheel actually allows me to see the top over the it. It's not perfect but it's not really any worse than with the standard wheel.
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Gaz mr-s

Quote from: Fefelarue on September 21, 2022, 14:42I'm very tall so it was already inhibited. The smaller wheel actually allows me to see the top over the it. It's not perfect but it's not really any worse than with the standard wheel.

Would you prefer if the steering column was higher?

Felix

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on September 21, 2022, 15:24Would you prefer if the steering column was higher?

Probably not, as it would need to be a lot higher which might compromise ergonomics of the position of the wheel. Why? Can it go higher?
My photo-heavy daily grand-tourer build:
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=73097.25

Gaz mr-s

The mechanism that the column rises in can be modified. The bottom of the wheel 20mm higher or so.

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