Blog The Mask

[unid87]

Ladies and gents,
I've just bought my first cabrio..and yes it's a Micra..pardon me..March. FHK11 1.3 manual !

Went all the way to Sheffield to get it and developed a starter motor issue since i've first seen her. Her..it..whatever. But it didn't let me down..bumped it to start and drove like that all the way to London.
On my way I noticed there's a different kind of feeling while driving it. Must be because my other two k11 3 and 5 door are both lowered on sport springs. But i loved it.
The seats are very comfortable and the ride wasn't that bouncy.
I will keep it off the road for a while to get it up and running properly and to sort out all the "beauty" issues then when summer comes I will enjoy it to the max.
Here's some pics of how she is now.

Will post later when I get the chance of doing anything to her.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

Ladies and gents,
I've just bought my first cabrio..and yes it's a Micra..pardon me..March. FHK11 1.3 manual !

Went all the way to Sheffield to get it and developed a starter motor issue since i've first seen her. Her..it..whatever. But it didn't let me down..bumped it to start and drove like that all the way to London.
On my way I noticed there's a different kind of feeling while driving it. Must be because my other two k11 3 and 5 door are both lowered on sport springs. But i loved it.
The seats are very comfortable and the ride wasn't that bouncy.
I will keep it off the road for a while to get it up and running properly and to sort out all the "beauty" issues then when summer comes I will enjoy it to the max.
Here's some pics of how she is now.

Will post later when I get the chance of doing anything to her.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Love these, get the awful first facelift rear lights off it for something more Jap though.

 

[Tornado]

Very nice, I see it/she has a friend across the street.

 

[unid87]

Very nice, I see it/she has a friend across the street.

yes Both mine..and another one parked up on my cousins drive. very expensive to have 3 cars on the road in London

 

[unid87]

Love these, get the awful first facelift rear lights off it for something more Jap though.

I have a set of clear lights but i have to check if the wiring has been altered before i put them on.

 

[Andy5077]

Welcome to the exclusive March Cabriolet Owners Club mate! B-)

 

[Andy5077]

 

[unid87]

So...the first thing that I tried..was to get the genuine back sticker.
Found the part number...found a shop..paid..and got refunded.

Will have to wait for one of my friends to do one for me ( or more) and hopefully it won't take him long and it will be the same size.
I gave him an accurate picture that I found online and he said he is able to reproduce it.
Gutted!

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[Andy5077]

Is this what you after mate, my friend owns a signage company he reckons he can reproduce it better quality then the OEM transfer! B-)

 

[unid87]

Yep. That's the one!

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[Andy5077]

I will talk to my mate tomorrow or Saturday and let you know! B-)

 

[unid87]

So...got home from work..back to rainy London...back to my car.

Got inside...started the engine banging the starter motor( needs changing)...started well..but i felt somethings strange...i was wet..my ass was wet
The drivers seat bottom wet
The leg space for the back wet..passenger front wet carpet
The car looked like this

So..thought about this..I will clean the windows and see next time if there is a leak there...it will leave a mark on the glass
I did..and then put sheets of paper roll elsewhere to check for wet areas when it rains again..to see if it comes from the roof.

I hope this won't make me give up

Sent from my SM-G950F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[Andy5077]

So...got home from work..back to rainy London...back to my car.

Got inside...started the engine banging the starter motor( needs changing)...started well..but i felt somethings strange...i was wet..my ass was wet
The drivers seat bottom wet
The leg space for the back wet..passenger front wet carpet
The car looked like this

So..thought about this..I will clean the windows and see next time if there is a leak there...it will leave a mark on the glass
I did..and then put sheets of paper roll elsewhere to check for wet areas when it rains again..to see if it comes from the roof.

I hope this won't make me give up

Sent from my SM-G950F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Hi mate the pics of the inside of the roof there seems to be marks on it or is it just the light, was any part of the inside of roof surface damp? The seal between the roof and windows could be letting in the water does the roof material overlap the glass enough (have you s pic)? Is there water in both the front and rear of the interior of the car also is the interior of the boot space wet? B-)

 

[unid87]

White patches and it feels damp.
The sides of the roof are restitched and seem they overlap a bit.

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[unid87]

I haven't checked the boot. But there is water on the carpets front and back. Driver seat proper wet..passenger damp a bit. Back seat cold/a bit damp... passenger back feet area wet carpet

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[Andy5077]

I usually clean my roof each month using the Autoglym roof cleaning/restoration kit. I start by gently vacuuming the roof with a brush attachment! I am sure the kit has a water proofing solution in it I will check tomorrow, if I was you I would lift the carpets and dry the underneath properly (they can smell and rot) and also check to see if there is water damage to the floor pans.I bought a expensive good quality breathable car cover from classic auto's that keeps Steffi Cab dry and in mint condition, my garage is not big enough on the width so kept touching the doors when opening them! :-( The Cabriolet's are a labour of love but are well worth the effort not many produced (only made in 1997) and they are getting ultra rare but they are a head turner and a dream to drive! B-)

 

[plmval]

I usually clean my roof each month using the Autoglym roof cleaning/restoration kit. I start by gently vacuuming the roof with a brush attachment! I am sure the kit has a water proofing solution in it I will check tomorrow, if I was you I would lift the carpets and dry the underneath properly (they can smell and rot) and also check to see if there is water damage to the floor pans.I bought a expensive good quality breathable car cover from classic auto's that keeps Steffi Cab dry and in mint condition, my garage is not big enough on the width so kept touching the doors when opening them! :-( The Cabriolet's are a labour of love but are well worth the effort not many produced (only made in 1997) and they are getting ultra rare but they are a head turner and a dream to drive! B-)

Quote; “The Cabriolet's are a labour of love but are well worth the effort not many produced”

Like the Mrs then?

Cabrio looks
But it don't sing and dance
And it don't walk or talk or
Keep the house clean Or cook you’re dinners

And long as I can have her
Here with me, I'd much rather be
Forever in a hatchback with her

 

[MaxK11C]

Very nice! Hopefully you get these teething issues fixed. Keep us updated.

 

[unid87]

Managed to find where it is leaking from and atm i've put some bin bags over the seats to keep them dry. Nothing would stick on the wet roof and i had no suitable cover.
By the looks of it..the actual top is in a bad shape and the water just goes through it when it's raining more.
Water gathers in the u shaped bid..runs to a side and goes right on the seat.
I've put loads of paper to see where it comes from..but it was enough to be on the passenger seat while it was rainy/snowy.
The rubber around the glass seals perfect.
There are various places where it has lost its waterproofing and in those areas it's very wet not just damp...soaked i would say.
I am waiting for some dry weekends so i can give it a proper clean with good products. Not expecting sun..but at least no rain.

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[unid87]

Will give these a try if it's not raining

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[unid87]

Sunday i did all the treatment works and 3..4 drops of water still get in. Will have to re check where is coming from and maybe give all the rubber seals a clean

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[unid87]

Gutted i still found water on the seat. Not as much...but there was.
Waiting for a sunny weekend to do some more work on it.

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[plmval]

Gutted i still found water on the seat. Not as much...but there was.
Waiting for a sunny weekend to do some more work on it.

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At 20 years old it needs treating to a new rag top, that will be a lot less heartache in the end. Go on, Just do it.

 

[unid87]

At 20 years old it needs treating to a new rag top, that will be a lot less heartache in the end. Go on, Just do it.

Well..i live in London...and i work in drainage...so..it's kind of a **** life. But it makes me happy having three Micra's . Will sell one...save some more money..and get a roof too..but the rubber seals are the actual problem now

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[plmval]

Well..i live in London...and i work in drainage...so..it's kind of a #### life. But it makes me happy having three Micra's . Will sell one...save some more money..and get a roof too..but the rubber seals are the actual problem now

Sent from my SM-G950F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

I think I know what you mean as when I was young I did some electrical breakdown maintenance work on water & drainage treatment facilities? No end to water leaks, you just can’t get away from it. Good to be busy with plenty of overtime available to support three cars? Kind of ironic really?

 

[unid87]

Didn't update in a while, life can get so busy sometimes.
But hey..it's been stripped down, every thing taken out and cleaned.
Seats were cleaned by stripping them off now they look almost like new. Thanks to my missus and a lot of cable ties. The colour faded a bit but no stains or dirt or bad smell in them anymore.
Also..had to rebuild one of the door cards as it was rotten. Not yet finished but almost done and if i like the end result will do the other one too.
This weekend will sort out all the rust on it thanks to Mr French and then will put the bits back and ready to enjoy the british summer lol.

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[unid87]

So..didn't post recently but...had some welding done on the rear arch and had a new crossmember put on.
Also..stripped the interior took the soundproofing out to reveal some surface rust which got brushed off, treated areas with kurust then red oxide paint and new soundproofing on.
Carpet back on..
Left to do is to sort out the fan not working, I think I know why and will sort it these days.
Will have to sort the rear small window cause it has an issue and to paint some interior trim then refit

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[nissan boy]

Did you see the rear arches on eBay for £20 a side, could not think who needed them.sort posted on the Facebook pages

 

[unid87]

Did you see the rear arches on eBay for £20 a side, could not think who needed them.sort posted on the Facebook pages

To do a proper job i would need them tbh.

 

[nissan boy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-M...789135&hash=item2124836fac:g:ZpkAAOSwbEZa6kCD

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-M...784236&hash=item1c7fa069ba:g:zdsAAOSwc~xbIFGa

 

[unid87]

Managed to fix the rad fan not working. Had to run a new wire from the ecu to the fan relay. Had some help from our members and I'm very glad.
Now it's almost all back together and insured and will go for an mot soon. Fingers crossed
Oooh...and it's not raining inside anymore

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[plmval]

Managed to fix the rad fan not working. Had to run a new wire from the ecu to the fan relay. Had some help from our members and I'm very glad.
Now it's almost all back together and insured and will go for an mot soon. Fingers crossed
Oooh...and it's not raining inside anymore View attachment 58536

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After reading about all that work I feel exhausted just thinking about it & it had better stay dry with no more steamy windows.

Looks like more work than I have done on my old banger Micras in 21 years of ownership?

Good luck with the MOT preparation for a straight through pass?

Then it’s out & about while the sun is out, for the remainder of the summer because that’s what it was built for.

Enjoy it.