MOC - Mazda MX5 (NA)

[brictric]

I want to introduce my newest MOC creation: 

This car is definitely one of my icons of the last few decades. It stands for driving fun without tons of horsepower and beinig affordable for the middle class. It was a long-held wish of mine to translate this icon into a Technic model. I wasn't sure whether it would be possible to capture the cuteness and fun it stands for, but I think I managed to do it a little... I hope you like it, too ;-)

Building Instructions available at rebrickable: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-198275/brictric/mazda-mx5-na-motorised/#details





I wanted that this model is not only a display item but can also be played with. So I put two servo motor inside for steering and gearshifting, one medium motor for movement of pop-up headlighrs and finally one buggy motor for driving.

Specifications:
* Parts: 2595 (without motors/rc)
* Scale: 1:8
* L/W/H in cm: 50,0 / 23,9 / 16,9
* Weight: ~ 2,2 kg



Functions:
* Front side doors opening
* Bonnet and tailgate to open
* Suspension front and rear
* 4 steps gearbox (integrated on rear axle)
* Gear shifter (motorised)
* Steering (incl. movement of steering wheel) (motorised)
* Pop-up headlights movement (motorised)
* Motorisation of model with 1 buggy motors (BuWizz recommended)



Please note:
* motors and remote control are not included in the parts list, as they are your decision (for the buggy motor I recommend BuWizz)
* rims and tires on the pictures are not original (write me a message where to get)

Motors needed:
* 2 Servo motors (e.g. Lego 99498)
* 1 Medium motor (e.g. Lego 166512)
* 1 buggy motor (e.g. BuWizz 2.0 or higher)
* remote control & battery in one brick (e.g. BuWizz 2.0 or higher)

[Alex Ilea]

Fantastic cute build. I quite like the pop-up headlights and the overall looks. One thing I think you can make better is the windshield to have more red at the top connection points. Also, it would have been nice if it had a working top

[Nazgarot]

That is an amazing and very good looking build! One of the best shaped vehicles I've seen in this class! Very good work!

Would like to see some technical shots of what is below the body and form the underside.

 

_ED_

[brictric]

HI Alex, many thanks for your positive feedback on the design! Regarding more red on the windshield: I wanted the windshield as stable as possible and flexible in terms of building angles, thats why I went for joint ball connections. Unfortunately part-id 14418 (plate special taking the joint ball) is only available in light bluish grey (no others). Working top would be nice, but with technic bricks I think it wouldn't look to good taking into account that the car has a soft-top. Do you know any technic foldable soft-top, which looks good?  

 

@Nazgarot Many thanks for your feedback!

Edited October 13, 2024 by brictric

[Alex Ilea]

28 minutes ago, brictric said:

Do you know any technic foldable soft-top, which looks good?  

Well, you can make a soft top with a technic frame, and a non LEGO fabric piece. Jeroen has a bunch of cool convertibles, you can have a look at his Gallardo for a hard top and at his Aston for a soft one

 

[Krxlion]

What a cute Mazda! I really love those cars, it has a special place in my pop-up head-lighted cars. Would love to see a video presenting the car in details, like mechanism of opening lamps, how the doors function, driving, etc. :)

Also a huge plus for those renders, really sell the look of the car ;)

[brictric]

On 10/13/2024 at 2:14 PM, Krxlion said:

What a cute Mazda! I really love those cars, it has a special place in my pop-up head-lighted cars. Would love to see a video presenting the car in details, like mechanism of opening lamps, how the doors function, driving, etc. :)

Also a huge plus for those renders, really sell the look of the car ;)

Thank you so much! I drove this car more than 20 years ago and I still love it. KI helps with those renders (so this is a really helpful KI use case ...)

I produced a video showing the model and the cars's functions: 

 

Edited October 18, 2024 by brictric

[2GodBDGlory]

I like it! The fender flares look really nice, and pop-up headlights are always nice! I also appreciate the inclusion of an RC transmission--too many models don't worry about those!

[brictric]

57 minutes ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

I like it! The fender flares look really nice, and pop-up headlights are always nice! I also appreciate the inclusion of an RC transmission--too many models don't worry about those!

Nice feedback 😊 thank you!

[dantheman12]

Nice model, nice to see another car thats not a supercar, and you've captured this one well.

 

On 10/13/2024 at 6:51 PM, brictric said:

HI Alex, many thanks for your positive feedback on the design! Regarding more red on the windshield: I wanted the windshield as stable as possible and flexible in terms of building angles, thats why I went for joint ball connections. Unfortunately part-id 14418 (plate special taking the joint ball) is only available in light bluish grey (no others). Working top would be nice, but with technic bricks I think it wouldn't look to good taking into account that the car has a soft-top. Do you know any technic foldable soft-top, which looks good?  

 

@Nazgarot Many thanks for your feedback!

I really wish we had more colour options for the small ball joints, they are really useful but difficult to implement in body work. integrating them into technic as well with some parts such as a technic pin or axle with the socket like the 1x2 plate you used would also be really handy.

[damian_kane_iv]

I feel like this deserves a frontpage

[bruh]

Agreed. I like the almost cartoonish look of the whole car, but especially the front.

[Seasider]

Hi @brictric, I’m surprised no one has pointed me in the direction of this thread. I’ve got a Mk1 MX-5 myself (had it for 10 years as weekend toy) and also about 3 years ago I started to build a 1:8 scale car. But between life in general, building official LEGO sets and Eurobricks Competitions I’ve been lacking the motivation so never got far with it.

i think you’ve done a good job of trying to capture the spirit of the car but as others have commented it looks a bit cartoonish / off in some of your proportions. I think some of it is going for a modified look with flared arches that make the car look fatter and also the nose is too stubby and the mouth a shade too small. But overall it looks like a great model and attempt at capturing a 5. And it’s given me some inspiration that I need to pick up my build again.

ill have to look at your instructions over on Rebrickable.

well done

[Gray Gear]

Very nice representation of the Miata! Recognizable for sure. The pop-ups are very well done. The bodywork is a bit too messy in some areas for my liking though, especially the front corners in front of the wheel arches. But the rear is very clean. The interior is nice too, but there are a ton of blue pins here that bother me lol

The fender flares and super wide printed tires are an interesting choice, but it works quite well giving the car a modded look.

Overall you did a good job on this one