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
restoration
Mazda now selling first-gen Miata restoration parts in North America
Mazda NA MiataMazda Mazda knows the world loves its Miata. The MX-5 Miata actually holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car, so the secret’s very much out. Now, in an effort to encourage Miata restorations, the brand is introducing a new list of authentic reproduction parts for first-gen models. Mazda consulted Miata Clubs and specialty shops to curate the list of over 1,100 new and legacy parts, all of which it plans to re-manufacture in Japan. Included on the list is a new fabric soft top made from the same material as the original; replica aluminum wheels made lighter and with a protective finish; and “many moving parts – from the roller for the side windows to the brake piston caliper – that are likely in need of replacement.” “There is a pure feeling of joy when it comes to driving a Miata, of any generation,” said Masahiro Moro, Chairman and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “Our unique Jinba-Ittai – ‘horse and rider as one’ – engineering philosophy has allowed for the engaging and exhilarating driving dynamic that has remained constant over the years, helping make the Miata an important vehicle for the brand and our fans.” “By helping prolong the life of MX-5 Miata NA models, Mazda is committed to supporting the roadster culture and looks forward to seeing these historic vehicles on the road – and on the track – for years to come.”So, if you know someone who’s got a less-than-perfect Miata sitting in their garage, give them a nudge in this direction — you can scope the full list of first-generation Mazda MX-5 parts right
Origin: Mazda now selling first-gen Miata restoration parts in North America
The science behind Lamborghini’s restoration program
Lamborghini LM002Handout / Lamborghini SANTAGATA BOLOGNESE, Italy The reason that a majority of the LM002s that Lamborghini ever produced the numbers vary between 300 and 328, depending on the source between 1986 and 1993 still exist is the work or the companys new Polo Storico division. More than just an in-house restoration service this particular LM002 was remade and there are 24 such large-scale restorations currently underway since 2016, Polo Storico has been the clearing house for everything classic Lamborghini.So not only will Polo Storico meticulously restore your Countach, Espada or 350 GT in fact, any Lambo up to the Diablo its the archive for all the literature surrounding the storied brand. Everything, from original engineering drawings and little known specs, not to mention original design sketches and specifications for outsourced parts, are kept in its official repository. In fact, using modern computer graphics what was once old and dog-eared has been lovingly restored old owners manuals, for instance, scanned, Photoshopped, and reprinted in all their original glory.More importantly, Polo Storico is gradually restocking long out of production parts for rare Lamborghinis. Everything from tiny little body components to entire engine blocks are being recast. And, according to Francesco Stevanin, Heritage Technical Manager, theres no limit in Lamborghinis quest for authenticity, noting that in recreating Miura cylinder heads, the factory was able to recreate the original pieces sandcast finish despite using modern modular manufacturing techniques. And, even when if original engineering drawing are unavailable, the engineers at Polo Storico can scan an existing part in 3D, remove any imperfections induced by age and then create their replacement from scratch. One of Polo Storicos less heralded functions, however, is authentication. The classic car world is full of lesser classics fraudulently rebodied as their rarer cousins. So, says Stevanin, certification of authenticity is an important part of Polo Storicos mission. And there seems to be no end to the lengths that the engineers wont go to to establish provenance bona fides, Stevanin noting that engines have even been disassembled just to ensure that the promised specialty components are present and accounted for.One of Polo Storicos most famous enterprises, for instance, was positively identifying the exact Miura P400 that starred in the original The Italian Job (it appears in the films opening sequence as it is driven, with gusto, on Switzerlands famed Gran San Bernardo pass). Partially by combing through old records, partially by contacting the driver, Enzo Moruzzi, who delivered the car to the set, Polo Storico was able to set the story straight.According to Moruzzi, There was a Miura P400 almost ready on the production line, in the right colour, left-hand drive and with white leather interior. It was aesthetically identical to the damaged one and we decided to use it for the film. The only thing worrying us was the elegant white leather seats, given that car had to get back to SantAgata in perfect condition.So, I asked for them to be taken out, replacing them with a set of black leather seats that we used for testing. The giveaway was the headrests, which on the Miura are attached to the dividing glass between the driver compartment and the engine compartment, which couldnt be replaced in time. In the film, you can see the original white headrests. Thus was Polo Storico able to positively identify chassis number 3586, currently owned by the Kaiser Collection of Vaduz, as the most famous Miura of them all, some 50 years after it had seemingly vanished without
Origin: The science behind Lamborghini’s restoration program
Watch: The first American Honda comes back to life in this restoration documentary
The first Honda N600 sold in AmericaHonda Honda has been doing business in America for 60 years this year, and to celebrate the milestone the brand has already – and this is true – restored a classic Chevrolet pickup.(I guess when you reach a certain age, you just do whatever you want.) Now it’s also released a video highlighting another special restoration it commissioned years back, that of the very first Honda to arrive in America, the 1967 Honda N600, serial number one. And there was just one person truly suitable for the job. That person is Tim Mings, the only full-time Honda 600 mechanic in the world. Ming had the N600 in his possession for a few years before he noticed the number. The car was one of just fifty 1967 N600s that made their way over to the U.S. from Japan to test the market.Ming brought Serial One to the So-Cal Japanese Classic Car Show (SCJCCS) in its unrestored state and vowed to return the next year with the vehicle fully redone. The video not only chronicles the specialty mechanic’s work, but also details the history of the N600 and of Honda in general, going back to when Mr. Honda himself first took generator motors and put them on bicycles using hot water bottles as gas tanks. The N600 was the brand’s first attempt at a four-wheeled vehicle and, as a result, it shares a fair bit in common with motorcycles of the time. When the gas crisis struck the U.S. in the ’70s, Honda was there with its small and frugal N600 (and later Civic) to fill the hole left by North American manufacturers.Serial One was disassembled, block-sanded by a body shop, its engine machined, repainted its original Ceramic White, and every little piece “lovingly massaged” by Ming and his team.It came down to the wire, with Ming pulling 12-hour days for seven days a week for the last while, but he made his deadline and delivered Serial One for its world premiere at the SCJCCS.Despite offers to rebuild it on behalf of private collectors, Ming allowed Honda to commission the build and produce the video.
Origin: Watch: The first American Honda comes back to life in this restoration documentary
All about car 