Test firing the car--sans muffler
 

We did some major "cut and paste" with the wiring harness last night. The result was a reassuring engine noise at around 11pm.

We've literally put in about 45 hours on the car in the last three days. Everyone deserves the weekend off, even if the show is only a week away.


While we build a "new" car, little things are cropping up on our 22 year old donor car, like an idle screw that's stripped, a worn our wheel bearing, leaking CV seal, and a host of other small items. Let's face it; a 2005 Miata with 25,000 miles will make a much better donor car than a clapped-out 1990 model that's seen more driver's than the Tea Cup ride at Disneyland. However, that old car easily outpaced a newer Rotrex Miata at El Toro. It deserves a showing at SEMA.

tidbits
 

We're getting closer to putting the body on the frame. I guess the body needs a bit of paint before that happens, and the wheels need to show up on UPS. And get painted as well. Oh, the tires have to show up too. And the exhaust...the exhaust needs to be redone before any of that happens. Should put the brakes on too...

What the hell, I've got FOUR days to do all that. No problem. If I take four Five Hour Energy drinks a day, that leaves me four hours of sleep.

The interior is really coming along nicely. Here's a snippet of the interior--I think you'll like it. The diffuser went together as a test-fit, and is coming apart tomorrow for paint.

Nothing like a deadline to create a little motivation :) Good luck, you and your guys will get it together!

I feel your pain. I put in what seemed like endless hours in the past 2 weeks to get my packaging machine to the Pack Expo in Chicago... pretty much the SEMA of the packaging industry.

Now I get to fly out there, take the engineering hat off and put the sales hat on. Yay for small companies.

We're the backbone of America. :bigtu:

stickers!
 

You've gotta give away something at SEMA, right?

And I picked out a t-shirt for our model. :)

Not giving out the model away? Booooo negative proppssss!!! :)

Sorry, I lied. No model. Stickers and t-shirts however. Anybody wants stickers let me know--AFTER SEMA.

A few of the body parts were painted today, and the actual car is now in the same building as the actual body. That hasn't been the case for over a month. Things are "coming together."

auger resources
 

Check out this neat little stuff from Auger Resources (Auger Resources Automotive Accessories). It's a stainless steel toggle tab that universally fits all 1/2" toggle switches. Just add the tab, and then peel and stick the right icon to go with the toggle. The icons include everything from lights to seat heaters, and everything in between. I think a few will be going on the Catfish. ;)

Sorry--the picture's not the best, but they show everything on their site.

Oh now it makes sense, that looks nice.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1351230679

The Pantera that those toggles rest in is absolutely SICK. The owner of the company also has a Monster Miata, a Lotus and (obviously) a sickness for track toys. :)

Standard tire size?
 

The tire fitment on the car has been a real PITA. We had to go down in size from our original size before we "reconfigure" everything after the show.

Right now we've got the following wheel tire setup;

front; 17x9, 35 offset

rear: 17x9, 22 offset

245x35 Toyo R1R

They look like they mean business...

i dont see anything.

Time for SEMA!
 

It's showtime. :) It's also 2:15am, and I finally made it home...with the Catfish. It's finally complete, finally has ALL of the parts in place, and it's finally ready for SEMA. We leave at 7am tomorrow.

YES!!!!

Now that it's all together, I can honestly say that it turned out better than the renderings.

Nice guys, now post some pics for us folks that cant make it to the show :P

x10000000

Although I figure you are waiting for the big reveal to be at the show ;)

Less teasing, Moar pictures!

Congrats!!!

sweet, glad you guys got it done for the show. Ive followed the build and I cant wait to see coverage from the show.

Awesome to hear! I'm looking forward to some finalized, "in the flesh" pictures on the show floor.

First view of CATFISH at SEMA!!!
 

http://bauerltd.com/catfish-moves-into-sema/

fixed?

Link fubar.

Works now!

Very cool! Congrats!

Wow that turned out better then expected. Awesome job!

Beautiful!

Congratulations! We expect a full array of pictures when it's in it's spot and on display.

SOLD!

Very good looking!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...uild-frame-jpg

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1351534178

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1351534178

So, can you now reveal the "super secret" thing that Joe posted about earlier?

Glasses dont match the car.. unacceptable.

Can't believe that it was a bare frame and parts on the floor just two weeks ago...

oh my

How much for the built vvt/efr/ms3x/version?:D

Amazing work!

Hmmm...

Very nice. Indeed.

So! Pricing information for a kit yet?

I can, but it's not really fair because we haven't tested the product. Let the Catfish shine for the SEMA show, and then when we get back home we can do some proof of concept testing. After that, it won't be super-secret anymore.

at the risk of pedantry

it's "boy" not "well"




meanwhile, that catfish is solid. nice work.

Needs a trubo.

I think we need to meet somewhere so I can bitch-slap you. :)

edit--I think you made Roman cry with your glasses comment...

first day at SEMA
 

Long day at SEMA, and kind of a bitch because I can't just post photos to Trubo.

The car has been very well received, and I even got some compliments from other component car manufacturers.

There are so many people at the show that they seemed to have overwhelmed the cell systems--it's hard to get mail, web service, etceteras. I'll have to post pictures when I get back home.

Thanks for kind words. :)

f-that, get someone to go hit up Starbucks and upload some pics. we are all dying for content!

what he said! ^^

Here's one from 949's FB page.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1351799969

Somebody left off the gas cap.

Btw theres few pics on miata net too.

looks like a few pics

Mazda Talk Forums • View topic - SEMA Miata based "CatFish"

Man it looks amazing.. Do want!

That's a flat black aluminum gas cap. :)

Interior shot looks great from the link above. Whole damn car looks fantastic. I wish I lived somewhere that was 70* and sunny every day...

I have to confess I learned about this car when I walked up on it at the SEMA booth a few hours ago. I did not know who Cord was. I said to William, I think this thing must be a kit car based on the Z4 roadster. William laughed and said "dude, it's a Miata".

http://www.facebook.com/BauerLTD

http://bauerltd.com/

From Cord's blog. Catfish Photos from SEMA 2012 |

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1351837061
http://bauerltd.com/wp-content/uploa...1-1024x768.jpg

Good to meet you today Emilio. BTW, I've got some more surprises for you. :)

I don't usually follow car shows much but I got an email newsletter from another site mentioning sema and my first thought was oh crap, that is this week. I gotta go find catfish pictures! It turned out amazing, congratulations! Oh and I hope we're let in on the surprises for Emilio too ;)

It looks great!

The toggle on the far left... That is to dispense your favorite spirit?

Ricer switch? And why power window switches in a car with no windows?

So, what's the final weight?

Any idea if somthing like this would be road legal in say, NY?

Its for when you're racing for pinks and want danger to manifold

I wanted to see if anyone would actually read the toggles. :)

I think you nailed it! Came out much better than the renderings (which were amazing to start!)
Is the body just in gelcoat color? That is some great fiberglass work if it is!