A hundred years is a long time to be running a business, so it's no surprise that Mazda is celebrating its centennial in the United States with a limited-edition Mazda Miata.
The 100th Anniversary MX-5 Miata, offered in both RF and soft-top versions, comes painted in Snowflake White Pearl Mica that is "accented by red styling features throughout"—that includes special badging and wheel …
Ooooh, schnazzy. I wondered if we were going to see a 100th Anniversary Edition.
I like that interior color a lot. I'm a sucker for a good red interior.
NickD said:Ooooh, schnazzy. I wondered if we were going to see a 100th Anniversary Edition.
ive seen other placed that NA is getting them
That does look pretty cool. Yes, please.
Does a 100 years mean from when they started making corks? They haven’t been making cars since 1920 have they? Didn’t think that started until after WW2.
I like the color.
Flyin' Miata started in 1983 as The Dealer Alternative. We didn't start doing Miatas until 1989, but we still count the age of the company from when we incorporated. I have no problem with this mode of counting.
I do kinda wish they were badged Toyo Kogyo :) I seem to recall references to that in our 1973 RX-4. I like the nod to the R360.
The funny thing is that the white/red top combo was available in 2018. No red interior, but with the top up it looks exactly like the non special car. I wonder if they found a stash of red tops they didn't use because news about the 2019 engine leaked out?
In reply to Keith Tanner :
If I remember correctly, the miata came to the US in late 80's. Was the Flyin Miata name from a japan car or where? Just curious.
I never liked the red interiors of the US malize era; I like marron less than red... But theis color combo on this car WORKS!!! Great edition.
The Dealer Alternative was a Porsche/Audi/VW repair shop started by Bill Cardell in 1983. In 1989, Bill bought a Miata and put a turbo in it. He was the only person who could make the turbo kit work, so the manufacturer started sending people his way. The Miata aftermarket business grew and Bill went into Miatas full time in 1996. His line of house brand parts were called Flyin' Miata, and they became so well known that The Dealer Alternative started doing business under that name in 2000.
We're still incorporated as The Dealer Alternative, Inc DBA Flyin' Miata, and Bill still owns the business. So we've been around since 1983 and are named after a car that was introduced in 1989 :)
So if Mazda wants to count their age from the beginning of their business, I'm good with that.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Ah, didn't read your first sentence correctly. Got it. Thanks. Cool story, and congrats.
I want the one on the right! My wife likes the one on the Left.
Mazda if you send me one of those I promise to do really dumb attention getting things with it that will make you proud. Ideally send me one of those and one of your Skyactiv IMSA cars.. But I can make do with just the R360
Shame they didn't make the centennial Miata a hardtop coupe like the R360. Love the top color though.
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:Shame they didn't make the centennial Miata a hardtop coupe like the R360. Love the top color though.
It's available in the RF as well. Pull the fuse for the roof and it's a hardtop coupe.
Keith Tanner said:irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:Shame they didn't make the centennial Miata a hardtop coupe like the R360. Love the top color though.
It's available in the RF as well. Pull the fuse for the roof and it's a hardtop coupe.
Not for rally rules it isn't.
So your complaint is that they didn't design and build a unique body style that would allow the car to run in a fringe motorsport just to celebrate an anniversary? These special editions are always just a paint color and a few badges, it's all they've been for 30 years.
Keith Tanner said:So your complaint is that they didn't design and build a unique body style that would allow the car to run in a fringe motorsport just to celebrate an anniversary? These special editions are always just a paint color and a few badges, it's all they've been for 30 years.
Sure, that's my complaint. Hey, why not make a special edition that's actually special for once?
(just to be clear, that's a rhetorical question and I'm fully entitled to my cash-in-hand opinion - you can spare me the usual lecture about "why" they don't make a coupe/fastback).
The rally aspect was me being facetious. But I 100% would throw down actual money for a brand-new, from-the-dealer fastback Miata to daily drive - and unlike many on the automotive web who talk a lot and then are silent when it comes time to spend the money, I actually do buy new cars.
They built a few coupes about 20 years ago, Japan only. I'm not sure why it didn't go further at that time. I think the thinking is that the RF is enough of a coupe that there's no reason to do anything else - they could save a few dozen pounds of motor, but otherwise it would be exactly the same as an RF with the fuse pulled and with less market appeal.
This is a really low volume car from a small independent(ish) automaker that swings above its weight. It's Mazda's only RWD, only longitudinal engine vehicle. I'm just happy it exists.
I have always wanted a white Miata with red interior . . . That looks sharp, and would be a great way to celebrate July 1 ;)
Before the black/red 1993 LEs turned into a real collector item, a non-zero number of them donated their red interiors to white cars. I honestly don't know why it's taken Mazda so long to build one, it's a nice looking combo.
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