Meet Baby, our '99 much modified Miata. Purchased new in February
of '99 it immediately became the subject of over 40 mods to date. One
of the latest mods was the addition of '90 seats that soon were covered
in Katzkins seat covers from GoMiata. Matching faux suede material was
used to cover the console lid (padded) and the door panels. Also in the
interior is a UK issue clock/bin, Japanese market bin, after market
radio, electroluminescent gauge faces, chrome trim rings and wood dash
kit. I made the matching wood shift and e-brake handles from a chunk of
Rock Maple. Aluminum pedals are in transit form GoMiata and will be
installed as soon as they arrive.
But the heart of this beast is a supercharged & inter-cooled
engine putting 187 hp to the rear wheels. This engine mod puts me into
the Street Modified / 2 seat class for autocross, where I've luckily
finished in third place for the NEOHIO region of the SCCA. Baby is much
faster than I am, but I'm having fun attempting to autocross. Other
engine mods include remote oil cooler of my design, painted pieces
parts and a custom air filter.
A veteran of two trips to the Gap, Baby and I will be back again
this year, part of the group representing The Northcoast Miata Club.
We've had a lot of fun together for the last five years, have managed
to stay out of trouble and have met hundreds of fantastic Miataphiles
in our travels. You can find me on Miata.net, in the NB forum or at
gomiata@zoominternet.net. The license plates? Oh, those are
coincidental, but cool.
Rich Velardo,
Medina, Ohio |
