In the summer of 2004 a teen aged driver backed his fathers "SUV" into the front of my '96 Miata. The damage was severe enough that my insurance company (Hartford) deemed it appropriate to make a full replacement of the nose piece. Actually the damage was minor cosmetic surface damage, but they deemed it sufficient to replace it. I'm constantly amazed at today's cost of labor and time to make repairs these days...it's enough to compel me to raise my professional fees. :)

I had often thought that the Racing Beat "Type II" nosepiece looked nicer, more "assertive",  and had a larger "mouth" which would allow more air flow into the radiator/engine area - not a small consideration living and driving in the low density air in Colorado. The total cost; removal, new Type II,  reinstall was $1,000.00.  The insurance company paid $615.00 for net out of pocket cost of $385.00. (FWIW, nosepiece from Racing Beat, plus shipping was $510.00.)

Some folks have inquired as to the quality of the Racing Beat product and any installation "issues".

My answer: According to Gunnar (owner of the body shop) (paraphrased) "This was the best piece of aftermarket fiberglass I've ever seen or worked on". He also said that the fitment was near perfect and only minor cutting to fit around the lower front frame members was required.  He also said that there was minimal sanding and smoothing on the surface and on some edges.

Below are before and after pictures. You are welcome to send me your feedback, comments, opinions, etc. to 96miata@ecentral.com

I'm not much on photography, so I don't know why, nor can I explain, why the white looks "whiter" on the newer pictures vs the older ones.  The car was not repainted.
 
 

OLD, original, FRONT

NEW, Racing Beat, FRONT

OLD, Original, SIDE

NEW, Racing Beat, SIDE