Some design ideas

Having collected my new donor car yesterday, the first thing I did was head online for inspiration. I wanted to start picturing what I wanted my Rocketeer MX-5 to become.

Back in 1999, I owned an NB fitted with a full body kit, so part of me is tempted to relive those glory days. Then again, I'll be knocking on the door of 50 by the time this car is finished, so perhaps a little restraint is in order!

I remembered the Mazdaspeed version of the NB MX-5, a rare sight in the UK with only a handful believed to be here. I've always liked its styling because it's subtle rather than over the top. I'm not interested in huge wings or an aggressive aftermarket look, but the Mazdaspeed body kit gives the MX-5 just enough extra presence and muscle without losing the clean lines that make the car so appealing.

When it came to the colour scheme, I wanted to carry over a theme from my Caterham race car, which wore Porsche Voodoo Blue with a RAL 1016 yellow triple stripe. Armed with a bit of AI and a few Photoshop skills, I mocked up several concepts to see how the idea might work on the Rocketeer.  I'll sit with these designs for a few days to see if this is the direction I want to take the car in.

Mazdaspeed Bodykit inc Porsche Riviera Blue (metallic) with yellow triple stripe

Same colour scheme overhead angle

The rear showing Rocketeer twin exhausts

Now I've been in discussions with the team at Rocketeer about potentially creating a bespoke rear dual exit exhaust (rather than the two side exhausts that are common with the Rocketeer setup).  Example image below:-

Rocketeer custom dual centre exit exhaust mockup

However with the inclusion of of the triple stripe, it looks a bit busy along the centre line, so I'm undecided at the moment on this.

I'm also feeling a little undecided about the triple stripe, as it perhaps looks a bit too "shouty"... I'd like my Rocketeer to look purposefully quick, without looking too 'boy racer'.  I need some time to think this through properly.