As you probably know, Mazda hit a major milestone this year by building the one millionth Miata (or MX5 or Roadster depending on where you live). To celebrate Mazda went on tour with the car, allowing fans to sign it. I first saw images of this while reading coverage of the 2016 Karuizawa Roadster Meeting in Japan. When I found out that it was not only coming through the US, but also making a stop in Austin, it was obvious I would be there.
Before the event was open, you could wander around a small display of cars they had setup. While the cars were few, each one was pretty special.This particular FD was bone stock and just stunning in person. While a clean stock FD is already a bit of an anomaly, this one was special for other reasons.
As you can see from this letter, this was the very last FD produced for the US market.
The Eunos badge is a common enough item you’ll find on NA Miatas to make them a little more JDM.As you can see from this angle, this is an actual JDM model, very cool to see the subtle differences between it and the USDM models.It’s cool to see the Eunos emblem on the stock 14″ wheels the early models had.This one still wears its registration sticker from the motherland.I love the new MX5 in this color. Those BBS wheels look perfect. I think this might be the first Club trim ND I’ve seen.
Finally we were let in and got in line to sign.Our group unfortunately ended up having to sign the rocker panel under the passenger side door. I had to lie on my side to get at an angle where I could write.
The hood is mostly covered in kanji from the lucky folks in Japan who got to sign it first.
A bit over shadowed by its younger sibling, Mazda has also been touring Miata #15.
If there was a flaw in this car, I can’t spot it. It looks brand new.These are the tires that were on the car when it left the plant in Hiroshima.Obviously this event brought out a lot of Miatae (that’s the plural of Miata, right?)
The NA in the previous shot is running a custom turbo setup featuring an OEM T25 from an SR20DET, air to water intercooler, all controlled with a megasquirt.
Looking very ready for a track day.
Beautiful examples of an NA and Mazdaspeed Miata.The engine bay of the above Mazdaspeed. Featuring what the community calls “Joes Intake” after the creator, a larger front mount intercooler, and Mishimoto radiator.
I can never resist the urge to shoot my own car at events.
I have to give huge kudos to Mazda for doing this. Along with getting the change to sign my name on a car that will doubtless be in a museum, the event was catered (well I might add), and staff was on hand to answer questions and seemed very knowledgeable. T shirts were given out to the first people (250 I think, but don’t hold me to that), and a custom engraving setup was there giving guests the opportunity to get a custom plate to commemorate the event.
And all of this for no cost at all. It’s very cool for an auto maker to do so much for the niche enthusiast segment. Mazda just seems to get it. Then again they have built the best selling sports car in history, so perhaps that goes without saying.
