2000 Mazda Miata LS

This car was sold new by my Mom at Morries Mazda to the detail manager of the dealership. He did a few basic performance and suspension modifications and did some light track time. He owned the car for several years before selling it to another employee of Morries. The car ended up owned by a neighbor of my parents, and I would regularly see it across the property. Over the years something happened to it and it sat unused for years. I had inquired about buying it a couple of times, but was refused. In early 2019 I connected again and managed to secure the vehicle. Due to damage to the top and being outdoors for years the vehicle was in extreme disrepair. I paid $500 for it. It was towed to a family owned property while I decided what to do with the project. It sat there for about a year, but then Covid hit. My work came to a grinding halt, and I suddenly had a good bit of free time. I had the car towed to my home and the process began. Due to the extensive damage to all interior components, electrical and the top, I decided I was going to go minimalist on the interior, and went forward with a mindset of “what can I get rid of” and to build a full roadster with no top or side windows. The car was slowly stripped down to its bare shell, and I sold what parts I could, and more than recouped the cost of the car. I was considering many engine swaps, including a 4.8 LS, Toyota 1uz or 2gr, and even researched using a small v8 outboard engine. Miraculously, I came across a Mazda KL v6, along with an almost full Miata swap kit, including the ITBs, and I decided to go that route. I had a Probe GT as a teen and was familiar with this engine and its amazing sound. It spiraled out of control after that.