Practically Classics Forum

Hi all, I have read about the old PC Forum and this one and would like to say well done for the admin who give up their 'spare' time (is there any such thing these days?!) to run this forum!

I bought a 1989 Mazda 323 Hatch last winter as a 'stopgap' car after my van broke down and I LOVE it! Its in very good condition and has done 55000 miles from new with lots of history to back it up ( I have done 3000 of those miles since Christmas).

My problem is a couple of hard to find items that I need, one of them for MOT, namely a seatbelt stalk as one wont latch and tailgate struts as they are too weak to hold the hatch up. I can get the struts for about £80 but thats 30% of what I paid for the car!

Does anyone know where I can look for these items? I have googled 'classic car breakers' but as usual have got spares-finder type websites that want your money to 'look' for you.

any info very gratefully received!

Thanks

Stuart

Have you tried Struts Direct for the struts? I got a pair of struts for about £40 for my Matra. There are also firms that will re-gas struts, although I have't used them.

Hi Pete, I will take a look, thanks!

Is this the pop-up headlamp model - the 323F?
If so I had a black one around 1992 and loved it. A superb driver and well kitted-out - a real flyer.
I still have a set of front pads and an oil filter which I never got round to fitting, if you wanted them they'll go for the price of postage?

http://image.nettiauto.com/extra/carimg ... 963595.jpg

I bought a 323F on a F plate a few years back as I was buying a new MX5 and they had a deal that existing mazda owners got a free colour coded hardtop. Ended up driving the car for a few weeks while I was waiting for the new one and was so impressed. So much better than most European cars of that age. Everything still worked and it never missed a beat.

Good luck on your search hope you manage to keep another one of these great little cars on the road.