The MX250:
The Tribute is a restomod / rebody - this means that the whole original car is retained, other than the body panels - front and rear wings, bootlid, bonnet and the soft top. These panels are replaced with a fibreglass shell. The doors and windscreen are stock MX5.
As a rebody, no SVA is needed and the car is not categorised as a 'kit car.' MOTs are done as per a 'normal' car. This is what appealed to me - i wanted a unique car which blended classic car style, with modern car reliability and build quality.
The car is presented in excellent condition, ready for the road. The Tribute MX250 was styled to look like the Ferrari GTO. The builder told me he wanted the car to have it's own identity, so the bodyshell was modified to remove the GTO vents / cut-outs. Not often a petrolhead gets a chance to say they own a genuine 1-of-1 car!
The car comes with a photographic build journal documenting all work done since the rebuild. I have driven it all over the UK and on a 1,300 mile classic car rally to France (Beaujolais rally) and it’s never once let me down. Starts first turn every single time (MX5 reliability!). In its last two MOTs, all it needed was a rear fog light, and a brake line untangling (both done).
Bodywork:
· The build was done to a high standard by professionals – real attention to detail to get this build spot-on (like foam injected into rear cavities to stop fibreglass body squeaks and Dynamat interior for road noise reduction!).
·
The fibreglass body is
strengthened by a chassis-mounted tubular steel rollcage (essential to stop the
fibreglass body crazing / cracking). Absolutely zero rattles / squeaks.
·
The car is painted Porsche
Gulf blue, with correct Gulf Orange stripe and period decals (removable). The front reg plate is stuck to a strip of clear PPF, so is
removable. Rear Gulf stripe protects the paint over the exhaust.
·
Paint is deep
and consistent with no crazing / damage. Polishes up like glass.
·
I had a professional
underbody treatment done in 2025, covering the entire underside including
cavities, so there is no rust (a rarity for a Mk1 MX5). All documented
with photos and videos available on request. If you do a DVLA MOT history
check, you'll see it has never even had an advisory for rust. Rust is my pet hate, so i'm very OCD about this!!
·
The car retains the MX5
front windscreen and surround (no damage to screen, or rust on the surround -
common MX5 issue). The rear screen is new and professionally fitted (has a
heated window but not wired in) - comes from a Renault 5 so easy to source replacement
if ever needed.
·
No damage to the body or
issues with panel gaps etc. I bought two leather bonnet straps (as
bonnet is lightweight fibreglass so has some movement under load) but have not
had the heart to drill into the paint! Will throw the straps in. The bonnet
latch holds it down fine and the hinges are Austin Mini (£12 a set and easily
available!).
·
Fitted a rigid plastic Audi
TTRS style front grille, which really sets it off and doesn’t have the cheap
look that steel mesh brings.
·
At the rear, the car has
actual rear light clusters from a 1970’s BMW 2002! Seriously cool.
·
The lockable billet period petrol
cap is from a boat, so pretty durable and looks the part!
Mechanical / Electrical:
· The car has the reliable 1.6 fuel injected MX5 engine. Unmodified other than a cold air induction kit. I wanted a car that a normal person could maintain and improve!
·
Engine last serviced with oil,
filter, plugs, leads, serpentine belt and alternator belt in 2025. I would say
next oil change in July 2026, although has barely covered 2k miles since the
last service.
·
No fluid leaks of any kind –
oil and coolant haven’t needed topping up since I’ve owned the car. Car is set
up for aircon but long since removed.
·
Car runs up to temp and
never overheats – temp gauge stays rock steady regardless of weather or driving
time. Heater works flawlessly. Pure MX5 reliability! Cooling system looks fine –
radiator in excellent condition.
·
Car has a custom 4-into-1
stainless steel manifold and full centre-mount exhaust system. This is one of
the car’s highlights – sounds and looks amazing (never thought an MX5 could
sound like a classic v8!). The combo of the cold air induction, lighter body,
suspension upgrades and exhaust make this a quicker car than standard!
· No electrical issues that I’m aware of – everything works as it should. Window mechanisms are the quickest I’ve come across on a Mk1 MX5 and work perfectly.
Brakes, Wheels and Suspension:
· Car sits on 20 point adjustable (stiffness and height) Gaz coilovers. All suspension components are in full working order with no known issues.
·
Brake discs and pads
replaced all round in 2024 – less than 2k miles since.
·
Wheels are seriously cool
Rota BM8s, shod with new (2024) ToyoProxes tyres (set up by Wheelmania in
Birmingham).
Interior:
·
I stripped out the interior
when I bought the car and fitted a stainless steel ‘Jass Performance’ centre
section – tombstone and centre console, along with period style toggle switches,
analogue clock, HVAC controls, window switches, stainless ball gear knob and handbrake
cover – looks seriously cool.
·
Car came with the ultra
rare wood Nardi steering wheel (I have matching wood gear knob that I’ll throw
in).
·
Chrome style air vent surrounds.
·
It does have custom door
cards, but I was planning to replace these with stainless steel ones as Im not in love with the look (but they hold up fine).
·
Carpets and headliner are
spotless - dynamat soundproofing fitted to roof which makes a massive difference (no fibreglass squeaks).
·
Jass Performance period
style stainless rear view mirror and door mirrors.
·
I have a mock-classic Bluetooth
stereo head unit which I’ll throw in, but haven’t fitted as the existing one
sounds surprisingly good (custom rear speaker boxes and speakers fitted on the
parcel shelf).
·
Leather seats with some
cracking to driver side outer bolster.
If I was keeping
the car, I’d consider turbo-ing it, replacing the door cards, fitting period
bucket seats, painting the callipers and potentially removing some material
from the inner rear fibreglass arches, as tyres can rub a bit around corners at
speed with a full boot and passenger. Or just enjoy as-is!
I’ve loved this car. The sheer joy it gives you to be out in it is hard to describe. It drives beautifully, has never caused me a single problem, and attracts attention everywhere I go. Literally every trip out has people asking questions, giving thumbs up etc… it's a true feel good car and every trip is an event. I am going to miss it enormously, but I have to be sensible.
Car is priced at what it owes me so please no lowball offers. I want to see it go to someone who knows and loves their cars, so would welcome genuine enthusiasts.
If you’d like more information I’m happy to chat and / or share the 43 page journal. Happy also for you to do independent inspection at your cost. I will take genuine buyers out but no test drives without proof of cleared funds and valid insurance. Any damage during test drives will be paid for in full by the buyer (sorry, been burnt before). Payment in full by bank transfer only. £100 deposit within 24 hours of auction end (non-refundable in the event that buyer does not complete purchase).
Many thanks for reading!