1991 Miata saved from Salvage! And a new member!
 

Here she is... Zippy car (as my 3 year old calls her)

I just purchased her last week from a guy who saved her from the salvage yard about 6 years ago. He drove her on the weekends but was about to part her and scrap the rest since he needed money for a truck and didnt have the room to keep her.
I took the opertunity to fulfill a life long dream to own a convertible and jumped at the offer to get one for $1000.
She has 150k, 5 speed manual, long-nose cam... It looks all stock right now.
She will be cared for but at the same time be a total learner ride. I've never "Tuned" a ride before, so with this forums help I hope to learn and bring her some new life.
Zippy is my Daily driver for work, so she will see some serious miles and that also means most of all my projects have to be finished b4 the weekend is over. I will easily put 100+ miles a day on her. Im very optimistic that she will last since right after buying her i drove her to a local mechanic and had him check everything he could without a tear down. He gave me the standard "Hose and belts blah blah..." but said everything was in pretty great shape considering.
He did mention replacing the timing belt since the miles are so high, but threw me off by saying he "researched" the motor and it is an "interfearence" motor and if the belt threw it would destroy it. I already knew that was BS... so im off to find another mechanic.

About me...
Im 28, with 2 kids (3 and 4 months). Unfortunatly for the Miata the "Misses" has a tight grip on the funds... So must of my project work will be based on the blessings from the Craigslist gods and the kind folks here.

Experince wise...
Ive never been a motorhead. Heck I wont lie, I pay to have oil changes done. But I am a Conventional maintenance troop for the USAF so I do have experince with almost all hand tools. So I can turn a wrench as well as operate a tourqe wrench. Since I have been an AMMO troop Im a firm beliver that a case of beer is proper payment for any help tinkering. So if there is anyone, in the LA to Bakersfield area and in between, who wants to be my "sensi" i'm ready and willing with beer!

The Dream...
Since Im going to put her to use as a good "tuner" learner car, Im pretty much open to any ideas as well as available parts. Im not trying to make her a 10 sec. car but wouldnt mind being able to burn out for shits and giggles as well as be able to pass up the kids in there civics. Looks wise Im a fan of the classic british racers, thats one of the things that drew me to the Miata. So I dont plan on giving it "wings". I do want to restore the paint to the orig British racing green as well as replace the top and interior with the stock tan leather. But ofcourse this is all funds permitting...

Zippy car can be seen around Tehachapi, CA and driving to Edwards AFB everyday.

So there ya have it. I look forward to any and all help and suggestions.

-Salvage

Ug. You named your car.

Welcome :)

Long nose crank btw. You were right however, in that we have non interference engines. Pretty sure every mechanic will say that to scare you into having them replace the timing belt.

Start doing everything you can to lighten in within your comfort level. Mudflaps, soft tops, carpet, power steering, air conditioning, trunk rack, fender trim, seat covers, etc, etc. Anything you don't want, ditch it. Free performance, I'm biased though.

Ahh sorry. My daughter named it, I just thought it was funny. But yes it will be known as "zippy car".

Also, I guess I should of made it a little clearer as to my intentions. This is my Daily Driver... So Im not planning on tearing out stuff like AC/PS/soft top, ya know. But I understand what you mean. Less weight = MOAR SPEED! Thanks!