chasinthemirage's 1964 Mk3 Zephyr

[igor]

....if you don't mind driving around town in second gear cos it won't run slow enough in top.

[yetchh]

Whatevs..

[chasinthemirage]

We'll see what it's like when its going I guess. I just want something that's enjoyable to drive that can keep up with traffic. Not really that fussed on making lots of power anymore/getting old and boring.

[kyteler]

Oh cmon Chas in the Mitsubishi Mirage.  You'll soon get bored, old or not, and if it rumpity rumps on idle, the smile it will always put on your face will out weigh any weird misplaced negatives that have been fathomed.

[chasinthemirage]

Yeah that's very true. Getting all froffed up thinking about driving it again now haha

[Postie]

On 5/4/2018 at 00:36, chasinthemirage said:

Hey, hi, hello. Time for my yearly update on this thing. This entire thread is 6 or so years out of date so I'll get the bodywork up to date and then go from there. Below is the first of the rust repairs. Overall the doors weren't too bad but we decided to replace the entire lower skin to save it having to do this again in a few years.

I've skipped a fair few photos but this gives an idea of the state of the doors and front guards. Can't speak highly enough of the panels that Les has made, they line up amazingly and will require SFA filler.

 

can you get parts made for LR lower Corner? or do you get from steel panels in UK

[chasinthemirage]

@Postie I have seen a few patch panels for the Zephyrs on trademe but I've never looked into them anywhere else. Les has done a few of the cars in the club and everyone speaks very highly of his work so he's been taking care of all the repairs. I'm sure that anything can be recreated if someone is skilled enough!

[yetchh]

Umm.. About time.. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I can't talk.. 

 

[chasinthemirage]

Its certainly been a long cashie haha. Once its painted progress shouldn't be too bad though, the running gear is pretty much done so that can all go back in. 

What state is yours in currently?

[yetchh]

In the same state its been in for the last 5 years. I gave it an oil change when I was off work last year and realised that the radiator I should have re-cored in 2010 has a massive split in it so I'm getting a new one made. Needs a new exhaust and clutch master and slave to be sleeved. Would still get a wof easy enough though. 

[chasinthemirage]

Still a lot less work than mine needs though! I'm hoping my brakes etc will be okay but we'll see, been sitting for awhile now. 

[yetchh]

Hey bro, been a while.. What's happening with your zed? 

[chasinthemirage]

Hey @yetchh not a lot really. I pushed it outside a few months ago and rattle canned a couple of panels to get an idea of what it'd look like but it's been sitting in the shed since then. Still needs paint but I don't know where to start with doing it myself. I did have it up for sale for awhile but I've been a bit too sentimental to let it go. 

[igor]

Bermuda Blue? Looks good. Suits it.

[Benno]

Hey man. That blue looks good.

Have a look at some Youtube videos on painting, it's not too hard to pick up on the basics. I taught myself how to mix paint, use the gun etc when painting my zephyr. Not a perfect finish first time, but a few coats of 2K paint, wet sand and polish and it's come up pretty good. Paint, wax/grease remover, hardener, thinners, mixing cups etc will probably set you back about $1000. 

I'd be happy to loan you my compressor and gun if you want to have a go at it. 

[yetchh]

Yeah bro, it's not hard once you figure it out.. Failing that I have a couple of options if you like, my partners cousin is a pro painter who could potentially paint it for you for a good price (works for Rosie's in chch), or I have another mate who's a back yarder in Shirley who could possibly also paint it for a good price.. Depends on what you'd want to spend. 

[chasinthemirage]

On 18/11/2025 at 19:03, igor said:

Bermuda Blue? Looks good. Suits it.

Thanks mate, nah just a sky blue from Bunnings that I thought looked good.

On 19/11/2025 at 09:28, Benno said:

Hey man. That blue looks good.

Have a look at some Youtube videos on painting, it's not too hard to pick up on the basics. I taught myself how to mix paint, use the gun etc when painting my zephyr. Not a perfect finish first time, but a few coats of 2K paint, wet sand and polish and it's come up pretty good. Paint, wax/grease remover, hardener, thinners, mixing cups etc will probably set you back about $1000. 

I'd be happy to loan you my compressor and gun if you want to have a go at it. 

Oh man awesome thank you, I'll watch some videos and get in touch at some point. What did you use PPE wise? I've got a long beard so looks like I'll probably need to buy/borrow a PAPR.

Also what where the seams between the panels like on yours? Mine have a bit of rusty staining, the guy that did the panel work was talking about splitting the seams to clean them up which seems like an enormous amount of work.

On 19/11/2025 at 15:02, yetchh said:

Yeah bro, it's not hard once you figure it out.. Failing that I have a couple of options if you like, my partners cousin is a pro painter who could potentially paint it for you for a good price (works for Rosie's in chch), or I have another mate who's a back yarder in Shirley who could possibly also paint it for a good price.. Depends on what you'd want to spend. 

Sweet, thanks man. I haven't got much budget at the moment but I'll flick you a message if I decide it's too much to paint it myself.

[Benno]

On 02/12/2025 at 19:55, chasinthemirage said:

Thanks mate, nah just a sky blue from Bunnings that I thought looked good.

Oh man awesome thank you, I'll watch some videos and get in touch at some point. What did you use PPE wise? I've got a long beard so looks like I'll probably need to buy/borrow a PAPR.

Also what where the seams between the panels like on yours? Mine have a bit of rusty staining, the guy that did the panel work was talking about splitting the seams to clean them up which seems like an enormous amount of work.

Sweet, thanks man. I haven't got much budget at the moment but I'll flick you a message if I decide it's too much to paint it myself.

I've got a 3M mask, similar to this one: https://nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz/product/3m-spraying-respirator-kit-6551ql-a1p2-large-00099573?utm_term=&utm_campaign=SR+-+SHP+-+Promotions+-+NZ&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6884968864&hsa_cam=22929743452&hsa_grp=186749629179&hsa_ad=777652491990&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-2445352053315&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22929743452&gbraid=0AAAAADK0iOKWd_IruolkJ8JAo8mBYfgky&gclid=CjwKCAiA3L_JBhAlEiwAlcWO5wAIUAMgmni4eoY819qYV_Oqm3Qfx4eSOa4brdndIIwZjzgOEThUBRoClT4QAvD_BwE

I've also installed a bathroom extract fan into the garage venting outside which made a big difference. Spraying 2K with isocyanates is certainly not something I would want to be doing regularly at home but I was happy enough for short exposures. A decent clean air mask kit would be great, but not cheap!

Seams between the panels weren't too bad on mine. I used some Brunox wherever there was any sign of corrosion. The panelbeater I used had a look and said it should be fine. I am sure it won't last forever but splitting all the seams would be a colossal amount of work!