Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a small discreet clock available which will light up at night or which has a button to light it up!?? Is there an MX5 extra or something? I've tried the usual places and can only get a stick on digital clock with no light! (2/00)
I think that most clocks are built into the stereo. Have you looked at the instructions for the stereo? (2/00)
There is a clock for the mk1 5 but I think it looks a bit cheap. A better option is to get a smiths round, backlit, analogue clock from somewhere like demon tweeks and fit it under the radio. (2/00)

About a year ago I did this myself - I hunted high and low for a supplier of either a Smiths or VDO clock which was back lit - never did find one.

Ended up with a bespoke VDO model complete with chrome bezel that is back lit green which is a pretty good but not exact match for the green dials of your speedo. Cost was ca. 60GBP ('cos it was a one off) from ETB in Leigh-on-Sea.

Eventually I got white dials - IL Motorsport who also sell white dials subsequently told me they do a matching clock face but I've never seen this. Speak to www.donutz.co.uk as they are a UK supplier. Anyway it can be done, and I mounted mine below the radio on the rhs (2/00)
My clock "is" built into my "Jap" pre-programmed radio and reads satilite perfect time , unfortunately it's Tokyo time, so I could do with a nice clock as well. Any ideas would be gratefully received. (2/00)
I fitted a Keinzle clock (as fitted to old Jags. and Rovers) from Unipart - it was the last one we had. But, there are a variety of 52mm clocks around. I liked the look & quality of the Lucas clock - from memory it was made by VDO - about 30. I had to carefully round the square in the plate above my radio to take the clock - all wires were there ready to use. (2/00)

I can't find my 2000 Demon Tweeks catalogue but the 1999 edition lists the following:

Smiths 52mm Classic Range - 12 Hour Analogue Clock in Black (30) or Magnolia (32)

Eclipse International 52mm - 12 Hour Analogue Clock in Black only (30) - this is a more modern interpretation and better suited I think to an MX-5 all prices + VAT

It doesn't note whether the Smiths ones are illuminated - the Eclipse one is though Demon Tweeks are on 01978 664466 or sales@demon-tweeks.co.uk (2/00)

Does anyone know where I can get hold of a 50mm analogue clock to fit into the centre console of an MX5 ?. I'm about to visit an enourmous scrap dealer near here today but I'm a bit superstitious about that if you know what I mean ! I would be grateful for any ideas (3/00)

Demon Tweeks list one made by TIM (company not bloke) for £44.86 (inc. VAT I think). It has a black face with white markings and hands. Part no: TIM002. Page 123 of 2000 'blue' (road) catalogue. I think it is 52mm diameter as that seems to be the standard, but it does not say so specifically. Ring them on 01978 664466 for more info.

In the 'red' (motorsport) catalogue they list a 52mm Smiths clock but it's a bit more pricey. £53.07 for the black faced version (CA1100-01C) or £55.38 for the magnolia face (CA1100-03C). (3/00)
There is also the VDO one via LUCAS at £49 + vat which is very similar to the TIM one. (3/00)

That's where I got my clock ! I fabricated a mount using a piece cut from a black-A4 folder - I kid you not. On reflection, I should have used plastic or something, because it's become slightly creased with the heat, but I didn't know where to buy bits of plastic like that. Still, I think it suits the car immensely.

Take a look: http://www.crosswinds.net/dublin/~franksm/mx5/9.jpg (3/00)

Get CAI clock IAC1105200C for 30 from Red Demon catalogue (p 127)... the C stands for chrome .. or change for B for black rim ... the trouble is that it has red needles .. I cut mine in half, remove front and painted the needles white with a black centre .. the white paint is more magnolia under dashboard lights but in daylight a good match .. and you can remove the CAI logo with sopropyl alcohol so it even looks stock.. .. now why go to that trouble .. I wanted a 20 psi turbo gauge to match .. still awaiting the new face from the sign maker. (3/00)

If you can't get IPA, wynns air intake cleaner makes a pretty good solvent (xylene in a can) thats safe on plastics. Don't use anything with acetone in! (3/00)
Depends on the plastic - xylene is the main constituent of cellulose thinners, and that does a good job of disolving ABS and styrene based plastic and many paints. Won't affect polypropyline though. IPA is a much milder and more selective solvent (3/00)

Apparently the model is important - ours is an N reg Merlot. 1.8 si

Smiths 52 mm black faced white numerals analogue clock ordered from Somerford Mini (01249 721 316) delivered by 1st class post within 24 hours cost inc postage 42 odd.

Decided to fit clock in left hand side of bottom panel of centre console where there is a large blanking square. Remove two screws in bottom of storage bin behind handbrake.
Remove single screw in ashtray
Remove screws each side of bottom of centre console.
Unscrew gear knob
Lift the whole ashtray/storage bin thing at the front first then slide forward to clear the boot/fuel lid release levers.
Unplug ashtray light
Remove single screw at bottom left of centre console.
Gently pull the bottom back until you can see the clips holding the facelevel vents in place.
Ease the clips out slightly with small screwdriver and pop the vents out in turn.
This will reveal the two screws securing the top of the centre console - remove them.
The centre console will now come away easily.
Unplug the radio
Unplug the wires from the back of the Headlamp motor/hazard warning switch.
Remove the bottom panel by removing four screws.
I used the cardboard packing as a template to make a pencilled circle for the 52mm hole required and the hot blade of a soldering iron to cut it out. (Great sensitivity required here).
Power supply was taken from the red & white wire leading to the Headlamp/hazard switch and a three amp in-line fuse installed just after the connection.
The earth for the clock was connected to a bolt on the transmission tunnel.
The supply for the clock light was taken from the ashtray light which was sacrificed and the wires instead connected to the clock light.
Reassembled in reverse order and all is working well.

I also took the opportunity to sort out the bodged dealer fitted radio whilst the console was dismantled. It helped having the roof down and the sun shining I was quite pleased with the mornings work. The whole project took about two and a half hours. (4/00)
Dont use the red and white wire for power supply to the clock because when the lights are on the power is diverted from this wire and the clock stops!! Clearly this is a safety feature to prevent the lights being shut down by accident. (4/00)
Assuming the clock draws very little current, why not use the permanent feed to the stereo ? (4/00)

Having originally taken power supply from a source that was disabled when the lights were swithched on, I went back into the console and out of curiosity checked every terminal and spare lead I could find and came up with no less than three that were live with ignition turned off so there is ample choice.

I have to confess that I was a little worried about so many spare live ends dangling about in the console so I spent some time making sure that they were safe ie insulating covers properly extended over connector ends etc.

All seems to be well now and the clock looks good. (4/00)