MAZDA MX-5 MIATA: The Untold Story

The Mazda MX-5 Miata represented a return to form for sports cars. Safety regulations, emissions standards, and shifting consumer tastes had decimated the segment. They were on the verge of extinction when Mazda broke ground on one of their own. It was never a sure thing. The project was in constant jeopardy and many within Mazda believed that there was no longer a market for that kind of car anywhere in the world. Its survival was nothing short of a miracle. Engineers and designers needed to stay the course in the face of internal doubters as well as an uncertain industry outlook. The product of their blood, sweat, and tears was one of the greatest sports cars of all time.

The 1970s were a tumultuous period for the entire industry, but Mazda had more or less recovered by the early 80s. The sedans as well as the B-Series pickup line had given the company some much-needed stability. Some companies could only dream of conditions like this, but Michinori Yamanouchi, GM of the product planning division, feared that this could actually have negative effects. 

SOURCES

00:00 INTRO
1:00 CONCEPTION
6:44 DESIGN COMPETITION
17:05 SANTA BARBARA TRIP
21:48 ENGINEERING
31:22 FINALIZING DESIGN

[danielsotelo]

I owned a 1989, number 2, 260th MX-1 ever built in it's all original state complete with the very rare original "steel rims". It was purchased in Canada where the first batch was sent to North America. Unfortunately I had to sell it just 2 years ago. It is here on Mercer Island WA.

[jerrywellborn]

Great video! I bought my Miata in 1993. Still have it!

[rcmakingtracks]

Brilliant. Mx5 what a sports car. I sit and stare at mine for hours, love it...

[cva]

I've heard this story a hundred times, but not to this detail. And with I've never seen video. Well done.

[BloggsyMalone]

I drove an ‘89 Miata. Absolutely one of my favourite cars I’ve owned.

[SilverScarletSpider]

would love to see a video on how the infiniti g35 put infiniti on the map in the era of BMW 3 and Audi A4 dominance all while holding back the Lexus IS F and Acura TL Type S.
how did the Hyundai Genesis Coupe ultimately fare against the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 Coupe?

[misterjersey]

"if the 86 can do it, so can I"

[Birb_of_Judge]

Im german and i didn't know Miata was a old Germanic word

[yeshwantdasari]

MIATA time! I've been waiting for this story for ages!

[aisrael]

A great and interesting dive into the r and d of this amazing little car! Would love to know rhe back history of the origional Rx7....

[andrewlee]

This introspective is legend. Great insight.

[ChrisRollins]

Your NSX video got me to your channel. The excellent content got me to subscribe! Keep at it, ur channel will find the algorithm eventually! I can see this channel getting big!

[ashwinbalu]

Awesome story and lots to learn from a nice car.

[prawnstar]

If they had another idea like this.. something cheap.. basic.. fun.. and was built for a fun manual it would sell like hotcakes.. I understand tariffs, shipping, safety regs has made cars without even being built yet cost around $5-$10k.. but any car built these days that cost mid twenties would sell.

[mitondo]

A milestone in automotive history. No Miata should be junked. They should be preserved for posterity.

[georgekappland]

Hirai was right. This is the essence of a MX5, horse & rider.

[Birb_of_Judge]

Can't wait to get back in mine when im done with this

[stanza]

Awesome. I wish you had talked about the customer reception & the sales….

[tillneumann]

First of all, I had a 1992 MX-5 NA (it wasn't called Miata in Europe) for 16 years until 2008 and loved it. But what still strikes me the most about this portrait is that the creator seems to have taken his name from an unabashed (albeit much more short lived) copy of the MX-5, the Fiat Barchetta. Yes, and I know there are some who still consider the NA to be a ripoff of the Lotus Elan. Granted to an extent. But the MX-5 was totally reliable, more than any other car I owned.

[LunaWaves]

they struggled so hard with this car only to have it sell like hotcakes. deserved mazda!