Phil Is Back! So What's Next?

After a year MIA, my beloved MX-5 is back in action. So what's next?
Phil Is Back! So What's Next?

After months of being nothing more than a driveway ornament, Phil is back on the road, complete with a new heart. I really couldn’t be happier, and judging by the positive comments on Instagram, enthusiastic waves from you guys on the road and questions on the channel and website, so are you. Which is awesome, because Phil really is the car of the people - attainable, relatable, easy to wrench on and fun to drive. Hell, three of us in the Car Throttle office drive MX-5s, so we really are practising what we preach.

Phil Is Back! So What's Next?

Getting back to what I said just now about ‘questions on the YouTube channel and CT site’, the most FAQs are ‘when will we be seeing Phil on YouTube?’ and ‘when are you doing the V6 conversion?’

The first question I can answer very easily. We’ll be filming Phil next week, ready for release in the next two or so weeks. Exactly what we’ll film, I’m unsure, so if you have any suggestions, or if there’s anything you’d like to know more about, then fill the comments section to breaking point. I’ll read everything!

Regarding the V6 conversion - the Rocketeer kit, which owner Bruce tells me is now producing +40hp and more torque - is in the pipeline, but there’s no time limit on that.

Phil Is Back! So What's Next?

My priority now is not to break Phil again, and there are areas of rust - on the A-pillars, for example - that need to be tracked down, arrested and given the death penalty.

The paintwork is also terrible, and I’d like new engine mount bushings, suspension polybushes and body braces to tighten things up a little (a lot). Phil rides nicely on H&R coilovers, but sounds like a double-decker bus over potholes; I should probably also spend a day tightening body panels and replacing missing nuts and bolts from previous ‘repairs’ over the years.

Anyway, that’s a small update for you guys on what’s going on next. As always, keep the love for Phil coming. He thrives off the attention. And rust…

Until the next update, here’s the latest Phil video, which shows the new engine being installed with the help of my buddy Gareth (everyone needs a Gareth).

Remote video URL

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Comments

Hawkoga

Wait-W… V-V6?

09/28/2017 - 21:02 |
0 | 0
Soni Redx (MD Squad Leader) (Subie Squad Leader)

More road races?? Maybe use it next year for Gumball ??

09/28/2017 - 21:45 |
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Topher505

You should take take Phil back to the track that broke him and finish what was started.

09/28/2017 - 22:30 |
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Deadpool (Cam's much sexier twin) (Official Demon Fangirl)

Alex Kersten I would have made a joke about the rust on Phil, but as I own a spiritual predecessor to Phil (MG Midget) I have the unfortunate knowledge of the feeling of owning a car that is actively trying to rust itself away. Good to see Phil back on the road. Keep fighting the good fight.

09/28/2017 - 22:35 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

I would actually like to see a recap\explanation of what exactly went wrong with the old engine, you could show us what it looks like and also do and or explain prevetative mods for the future

09/28/2017 - 23:33 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

Take him to the ring

09/29/2017 - 02:40 |
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Alex Kersten

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I think I’m banning Phil from the ‘Ring now

09/29/2017 - 09:09 |
2 | 0
SAREEE (rally bro)

Does this mean more stickers for
phil???

09/29/2017 - 06:29 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

Another blown engine thats whats next

09/29/2017 - 10:11 |
1 | 0
Griffinz7

I hope you keep caring about this app as much as you did when you wrote this. You did actually write this right and it it you that is rearing this if you kept you promise that is.

09/29/2017 - 11:11 |
1 | 0
Rotary Fanboy

Drift it

09/29/2017 - 11:18 |
0 | 0