(Unfortunately, this is the sole surviving photo of its pre-transformation state after a misguided file backup blunder.)

Thus began my daily 100-mile round trip to work, a testament to the resilience of this aging roadster.

Chapter 2: Operation Facelift

The symphony of bearing squeals, the sauna-like lack of AC, and the singular functioning window soon turned driving into a labor rather than a pleasure. It was high time for a makeover for Old Blue, inside and out. My other Miata, now a weary warrior with 265,000 miles, became a donor after a thorough disassembly revealed its own set of woes. I poached the AC system from my other car into Blue, overhauled the calipers and rotors with those from a 2005. Grabbed a larger brake booster and new master cylinder for a modern- like brake system.

The summer of 2018 was spent in the trenches of DIY body repair—sanding, rust remediation, and quarter panel repair—all in preparation for a fresh coat of paint. Without access to a professional setup and on a shoestring budget, I brokered a deal for a makeshift paint booth in a local warehouse, securing it for a mere $100 over three days—an offer the owner couldn’t refuse. (Considering they charge 300 a month normally.)

17 hours later and with a dry coat of paint , I snapped this pic and Blue looked reborn, albeit mirrorless as they dried separately.

Chapter 3: It’s a pickup truck, right?

With its gleaming exterior, one might think Blue was back to its best. But inside, it was more post apocalyptic utility vehicle than sports car. The bare interior became a boon for hauling—engines, transmissions, furniture, even garden supplies. Everything from a 350z engine to bags of mulch found its way into Blue's cabin, protected by spare house carpeting.

Yet, as functional as it was, the call to return Blue to its sports car roots was undeniable. After nearly four years of Spartan existence, it was time for the last piece of the puzzle—the interior overhaul.

Chapter 4: Phoenix Rising

Reflecting on Blue's journey from a pristine white convertible through six previous owners to my hands was like examining a seasoned racehorse's storied career. Each owner had left their mark, some more literally than others. The one just before me more like a mobster than loving caretaker. But under my stewardship, it was time for Blue to ascend from a patchwork phoenix to a polished marathon runner. I started to overhaul with sound deadening and new carpet.

I went with a bold but fitting color combo, white leather with blue accents. The original navy blue wasn’t quite right, and tan was out of the question. Polarizing to some, but over the top and flashy for me. Just how I liked it.

I spent about a week cutting, sewing, and gluing leather bits to body panels. Even purchasing a pristine post WWII cast iron sewing machine for $45 to help.

The doors were a combo of new LRB Speed aluminum cards, insulating automotive foam, white leather, and finally topped off with aluminum handles and window cranks from CarbonMiata.

Still needing the seats and a few accent pieces to complete, what I had was a good start, and the beginning of a new chapter for blue. This is blue today (below), I even added a new shift knob by teaching myself how to cast aluminum and copper, and forged it from the fires of a cheap Amazon melting furnace. This brick of a knob is twice as heavy as the original, and feels just as smooth.

Chapter 5: The Grand Tour

Blue's next chapter remains unwritten. With 33 years and 365k miles of asphalt under its wheels, my next goal is for Blue to graduate into a not just a touring car, but a grand touring car. It’s time for me to go on Walkabout, a Vision Quest, a journey of self-discovery. Not alone in the wilderness, but on the endless belts of asphalt with my steadfast machine. It’s time to take the Grand Tour Miata on the biggest adventure of our lives.