Classic pearls of the future - Mazda MX-5
05/11/2013
You don't need to be a great astrologer to predict the success of the Mazda MX-5 as a future classic car. And the time is not too far off when the lively Japanese roadster will pass the thirty-year mark. Exactly 6 years to be precise, since the production version of the compact convertible was presented in 1989.
When developing the sports car, which was originally aimed at the American market, Mazda engineers and designers looked a little in the direction of the Lotus Elan; even the appearance of the engine was reminiscent of the popular lightweight sports car from England. The Mazda strategists miscalculated the originally planned production volumes of less than 10,000 per year; by the end of 1990, less than two years later, over 140,000 vehicles had already been produced, and the short supply even led to gray imports in Europe.
In any case, the Americans and the domestic market came first (from 1989). Official imports to Europe only started in February 1990. I still remember well that the annual quota for Switzerland - with a choice of red, blue or silver as colors - was sold out just a few days after the official announcement, but I was one of the lucky ones who was able to order one of the first vehicles - still without airbags and any technical frills.
It handled well on the road, was unpretentious and even the sound was almost reminiscent of English classics from the sixties. The roof could be opened and closed from the inside with a flick of the wrist and the boring-looking steering wheel was replaced with a Momo version in no time at all. 115 hp was enough to get the car moving quickly - what more could you want in a market that was almost like a desert in terms of convertibles, because apart from Alfa (Spider with rubber spoiler) and Pininfarina (Eurospider), hardly any manufacturer wanted to build really open cars in the lower price segment.
The original MX-5 (also known as the Miata or Eunos Spider, depending on the market) was built until 1998, when its successor had to do without the characteristic folding headlights.
The first Mazda MX-5 is already popular today as a youngtimer and will also make a career as a classic car. The still good offer and the robust construction will ensure that it remains a reasonably priced pleasure.
