Intake: Edelbrock Performer Intake; Edelbrock 500 cfm carb (new needles and jets as it was too rich for this engine); K&N filter with "Extreme" top

Cooling: custom rad (stock width, 20" tall, 4-core rad); 2 RB electric fans mounted in stock location (thermo-activated); SS rad hoses (articulated so will bend to fit); Rover water pump

Suspension: Front: stock RB with lowered springs and V8 bushings; new lever dampers. Rear: "reverse-loop" springs, new bushings, original lever dampers.

Brakes: Front: stock hubs and calipers, x-drilled/slotted rotors; EBC Greenstuff pads. Rear: stock drums, new shoes. SS braided lines. Converted to non-servo system.

Interior: Early '70's dash; custom white-face gauges; Grant steering wheel; Miata seats; AM/FM + CD with hidden antenna; carpeted trunk.

Modifications: RB - CB conversion; Sebring fender kit; lowered springs; ST front spoiler; functioning hood scoop; cutouts for RV8 headers; dash, seats, custom mesh grill.

A bit of history: the car started out life as a late-model California car. I purchased the shell in 2000. It was a perfect candidate for the project as it had no engine, gearbox or interior and best of all, NO RUST!! I wanted a late shell for ease of conversion. I felt it was easier to convert to CB than modify an early shell.

The 3.5 and gearbox came along a few months later. 3.5 rebuilt to stock specs and only an oil pump was changed in the 'box. I went with the carb/intake as they're readily available from Edelbrock. Since the 500 cfm carb is the smallest Edelbrock makes, it took some trial and error to find a good match of needles and jets to meet the emissions testing we have here near Vancouver. Air filter assembly took some searching as space is at a premium. Finally found a 1.5" drop-base and with the K&N filter and Extreme top, I have about 1/8" under the hood to play with.

CB conversion completed with the intention of using original CB brackets where possible. Rear uses original brackets attached to frame rails and front had the RB brackets removed. New longer "L" brackets made up and use factory captive nuts in frame.

Miata seats used for various reasons: comfort, style, reasonable cost to reupholster and the speaker cutouts in the headrests.

Sebring kit: lots of work. Results look great but because of the lousy fit of the front fenders, I've suggested to others thinking of this kit to cut off the flares and bond these to your steel fenders instead of using the complete front fenders supplied. Rears are better as they are only the quarters. The hood scoop is just a common one purchased at a performance shop. I cut out the inlets and it was bonded to the hood. This allows for cooling air into the engine bay and because of the height of the filter assembly, the hold-down nut fits under the hood.

The white-face gauges are actually decals made up by a graphic-artist friend. She took pictures of the dial faces, reversed the images on her computer, added the lettering and details and sent me back the images as a PDF file. I printed them off on "label paper" and cut them out. After spraying the dial faces white, I applied the decals and there you go. Due to the unique square oil pressure gauge, there isn't a set of white-face gauges available. One can get "magnolia" coloured dials in the UK but only for the home-market dashes.