MX520 2.O

[nevdrum]

A twin headlight 1967 520 build with MX5 suspension, wiring, engine and gearbox heavily inspired by Project MX520 and Bob Boileau. I have a 1967 South African RHD 520 imported to the UK. It spent most of its life on the edge of the Kalahari desert and has negligible rust. When I bought it someone had removed the original engine and gearbox (and a Rover/Buick V8 had cone and gone). No chance of restoring to original in the UK as never sold here new……. So perfect opportunity for a project! So far I’ve removed the original suspension and brackets, and welded in a MX5 Mk2 front subframe and brackets to mount a rear MX5 subframe. I will document progress here, but it’s a side gig and won’t progress at a crazy rate. 
 

very big thanks to Bob Boileau, whose well documented MX520 build has been a massive inspiration and source of ideas. I’ve done some things slightly different, but Bob has made it all possible. 

[nevdrum]

Not sure how to post images? Is there an image hosting site that people use?

[datzenmike]

imgur has been problem free. DO NOT USE PHOTOBUCKET

[nevdrum]

Thank you! I will sort an account and get some images uploaded 

[nevdrum]

[nevdrum]

[nevdrum]

[]2eDeYe]

Welcome.

After a few posts you should be able to upload pics. They do have to be under 4mb each though. 

Looking forward to seeing more. 🙂

[nevdrum]

I should say what I’m trying to achieve. My first car I ever owned was a Datsun 1600 four door sedan (the 510 in Australia) that was rally prepped. Roll cage, straight cut gears, wild cam and a pig to drive! It did make me form a fondness for Datto’s. I love restomods and found two threads online - Bob’s Project MX520 and a gen 1 RN13 HiLux done by Driftworks in Birmingham UK called Hi5 which has MX5 underpinnings (YouTube it). 
 

I saw a 520 advertised on Facebook 12 miles from my village, so I had to have a look and ended up buying it. And here I am. 
 

so far I have the original leaf springs and torsion front end and steering removed, rear subframe mounted, rear strut top mounts, fuel tank mounts, front subframe welded in with cross beam lowered. 
 

the plan is to build a nice handling, original looking ute/pick up that is easy to maintain and reliable. I intend to use an unmodified 1.8VVT engine with the 5 speed gearbox, retain the bench seat, paint it Baltic blue - a 60’s VW colour - and use it for cruising and back lane fun. 

[nevdrum]

Excuse the horrendously messy garage… front suspension out (gifted to one of 4 521 owners in the UK)

 

 

Rear axle and leaf springs out

 

[nevdrum]

Front subframe install:

 

 

 

[nevdrum]

Rear subframe mounting brackets and strut top mount brackets:

 

 

[nevdrum]

Rear subframe/strut mounts continued:

 

[nevdrum]

 

 

[nevdrum]

Fuel tank mounts added:

 

[nevdrum]

Finished rear end - except for full suspension build up with drive shafts and diff plus fuel and brake hard lines 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Draker]

Bad ass!

[carterb]

Cool!

Will it be mini-truck low or rally car tall?

Do we get to vote?  😁

[projectrally]

Can’t wait to see how this turns out.  

[nevdrum]

10 hours ago, carterb said:

Cool!

Will it be mini-truck low or rally car tall?

Do we get to vote?  😁

Hi - it will be a sleeper. It will look standard except lower ride height (similar to Bob’s) and a chin spoiler

[nevdrum]

This is the intended colour - VW Baltic Blue

 

[iceman510]

That color works.

[nevdrum]

front subframe crossmember notched and lowered to allow engine to move forward. Engine mounts next.
 

wider image showing front end including chassis rail cuts from NB MX5 front end (the green bits on top of silver subframe). These bolt to subframe and incorporate the front strut tower top mounts. As per Bob’s build they will be welded into the cab inner wings allowing the cab to be removed by unbolting the subframe connecting bolts and the strut/coil over top bolts.

 

[NissanNut]

Very cool! I love Bobs 520! 

[nevdrum]

Front half of chassis wth welded MX5 subframe in high zinc undercoat. Will paint black the the new year and install engine and gearbox so I can weld the mounts. Then the cab will go back on for firewall and inner wheel well modifications. At least it will look like a ute (pick up) again soon.