HIROSHIMA, Japan When Mazda was developing the first-generation MX-5 Miata, known as the NA, the development team bought classic cars an MGB and a Datsun 240Z as muses for the upcoming sports car. They wanted to drive and test the classics alongside the new car to ensure it captured the same joy as roadsters once did. Speaking with Nobihuro Yamamoto, a lead engineer when the original Miata was in development, I asked him which classics had been brought in to develop the latest, ND MX-5.And with a smile, he replied simply, the NA.The car meant to carry on the legacy of the classics has become a classic itself. Introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year, the oldest NA Miatas are now 30 years old. A victim of their own fun-to-drive an easy-to-use nature, many of even the best cared-for NAs have succumbed to the perils of age. So, a devoted crew within Mazda felt something needed to be done. So, the Mazda MX-5 restoration program was created to deepen the bond between you and your NA, says the brochure detailing this service. For roughly $58,000 Canadian, a team of craftsmen and experts will go over literally every single part on your MX-5 and make it new again. The level of detail goes down to remaking the soft-top with the exact same grain as the 1989 unit. Sure, aftermarket soft-tops are still available, but theyre not a 100 per cent match of the old pattern the ones Mazda uses are custom-made and sourced from the U.S. And if that wasnt enough, the original Bridgestone SF-325 tires have long been out of production, but Mazda has gone through the effort of remaking them exactly as they were, with the notable deviation of using a more modern and grippier rubber compound for the tire itself.Mazda is also very selective about the cars theyll restore and the people who own them. The program had 54 applicants and those were whittled down to a waiting list of 15 cars. Cars can be rejected for being too rusty or being in an advanced state of disrepair. But more importantly than the car itself, Mazda is looking for owners who are good ambassadors for the brand they want people that have a strong bond with their car, and not necessarily just someone with a lot of money to spend. The first restored car went to a famous Japanese actor who bought his beloved Miata brand-new.Can you buy one? Sadly, the program is limited to Japan right now, but that might change. Mazda wont say anything concrete, but they may expand the restoration efforts to Europe and North America after a while. But what they did say in the meantime, is that theyre currently studying expanding the program to RX-7 models. We want to make that dream happen, Yamamoto said, adding that the potential program is currently being studied for second- and third-generation RX-7s known as the FC and FD, respectively, by the way. Still not excited enough? After the RX-7, the next car Mazda is considering is the Eunos Cosmo from the early 1990s, a three-rotor technological tour-de-force that was never sold outside of Japan. Why? Yamamoto says its important to allow people to keep enjoying (the cars). Before launching the Miata restoration program, Yamamoto travelled to Germany and studied similar programs run by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. An invitation was extended to Ferrari Classiche, but they declined.But its not just a restoration program. Mazda is backing this up by adding 1,100 parts to their catalogue to support fans doing their own, likely less intensive MX-5 maintenance. And its worth noting that the restoration program is not limited to total restorations of a complete car theyll refurbish your Miatas interior, engine, or exterior, instead of the whole package, if you so choose. As for us Canadians, Mazda Canada is very interested in supplying NA Miata owners in Canada access to these parts, and are currently working on a deal with Mazdas U.S. division thatll allow Canadian dealers to order these parts from any North American distribution centre.On a small test track at Mazdas sizeable Hiroshima facility, I sampled two freshly restored NA Miatas. Gleaming in the late afternoon sun, you can really see how deep these restorations go: Every tiny rubber seal and plastic fitting are perfect and new, and every single part looks flawless. Ive driven many NA Miatas and some were very nice, but nothing was as nice as these. For the first time in my life, I drove a brand-new 1989 Miata. This is a special car, and you cant help but smile. For motivated and devoted owners, this is like pressing a big reset button on their favourite little car. Im jealous, and I cant wait to see where this program
Origin: The MX-5 is only the beginning of Mazda’s restoration program