Rob Godwin’s modified Mazda MX5
Wings: they’re them big things usually found near the back of a car, high mounted and primarily deployed to aid downforce, to shave off valuable seconds round the track. By and large though, wings on daily drivers have been left behind in a 90s whirlwind of fibreglass bodykits and tracky bottoms.
But Rob Godwin’s 2011 import Jap creation dares to suggest that on the right car, big and bold is definitely in from the cold. His turbo’d, 200bhp daily track monster of an MX-5 – most notably famed for that mahoosive carbon JCP wing – is a mad take on the once plucky, little two-seater Roadster, and believe us, it’s only getting madder.
Not your cup of tea? Well suck it in friends, because this car was designed by Rob to please one man on
it’s a Marmite car, but I’m happy with it,” says the Swindon lad, who’s put his degree in automotive design to jolly good use.
And, whether he’s taking his Roadster to the track or dodging through traffic on the M4, his squat MX is low enough, cool enough and fast enough tick every box in current car culture – big wing included.
In his own words, Rob cut his modified teeth in the Dub scene, where he crafted a caged, Passat-powered Mk.2 Golf. “I learnt a great deal from working on my Golf, mainly because it spent a large proportion of its time broken,” confesses our new wingman for the day.
Rob decided he needed more fun from his motor though, so set about looking for something Jap and RWD. He found the perfect solution in this imported Eunos Roadster.
He then quickly settled down to styling his new ride, splashing out on that sexy Garage Vary front splitter, über cool low-pro headlights bought for a silly bargain, plus some trendy staggered fitment ATS cups courtesy of eBay de Deutschland.
However, in August last year, a drastic change occurred, beginning with what Rob affectionately calls his Big Gay Wing. He explains: “I was photoshopping big wings on my car and having banter with friends over them – then this one came up for sale. It was so outrageous, I just had to do it. If it looked shit, I could just sell it again, right?”
Right you are mate. But outrageous it was, shit it wasn’t and the wing was a stayer! “It’s true, it’s never come off,” confirms the man himself.
The whole feel of the car was based around the wing and took on an all-out motorsport look, which meant Rob’s plans for a turbo kit and massive power hike got a little more serious.
Other sexy additions – including the cage, prized hardtop, Cobra Monaco drivers bucket and TRS harness, Rota Grid Vs dressed in grip-tastic Toyo TR1 rubber as well as that mad but loveable Mazda RX-7 rear diffuser – have since all fallen under the wing’s influence. He’s created a fine MX, built for the track, but just at home as a tasty daily hack. The Eunos is due for more motorsport related goodness next year, too – we’ve seen the plans and bloody love ’em!
So, from hairdressers car to daily track demon, all thanks to one inspired giant carbon wing purchase. Rob, you make it look easy.
TECH SPEC EUNOS ROADSTER
STYLING
JCP carbon fibre rear wing with custom risers; RX7 rear diffuser custom fitted; modified OEM rear bumper; OEM hardtop; aftermarket wing mirrors; RS Active low profile headlights; Garage Vary front splitter; Skuzzle Motorsport turn signal intakes; custom carbon front cannards; Carbing front tow hoop; TRS rear tow hook; rear fog light removed; front numberplate removed; pressed metal import-sized rear plate; aero front wipers; a select few stickers; front strut brace canned red; rocker cover camo painted using Hammerite.
TUNING
Greddy TD04 turbocharger; Greddy manifold; Greddy boost controller; 320cc Supra injectors; Dual Feed fuel rail; Walbro 190LPH fuel pump; Universal Intercoolers intercooler; GM AIT sensor; Innovate LC-1 wideband; custom stainless single silencer turbo-back exhaust. CHASSIS 8×15-inch Rota Grid Vs in Gunmetal shade; Toyo T1R tyres; HSD coilovers; 1.8 spec brakes; Axxis Ultimate pads; front and rear strut braces; P5 stainless chassis rail braces; Spec Stage 2+ hybrid clutch; Torsen Type 2 LSD.
INTERIOR
Cobra Monaco S driver’s bucket seat with TRS 4-point harness; Carbing 6-point roll-cage; Nardi Deep Corn wheel; custom red camouflage interior trim; GDL weighted gear knob; dial pods with AFR, boost and oil temperature gauges; fire extinguisher; fly-off handbrake.
AUDIO
Kenwood headunit and amplifier; Vibe door speakers.
