In August 2017, Mazda announced that it will offer factory-made restoration works for the original Mazda MX-5 Miata NA bodywork, introduced in 1989. The program also included parts support, because Mazda wants to highlight how much the original Miata still means. The program was launched with exemplary work done on a Miata from Mazda, but the first customer car is now ready.
The first car was chosen from 600 registrations to Mazda. Of all these cars that require factory-certified work, the British Racing Green V-Special, owned by the retired tomato farmer Keiji Nishimoto, was the first to be chosen. The Eunos-badged limited-edition car was bought new by Nishimoto and he told Mazda that the car played an important role in creating some great memories of the trip. The V-Special edition came in a British roadster-like color combination: "Neo" green over beige leather, complete with a Nardi wooden wheel in retro style. The car also has a front strut bridge and a differential with limited slip.
Nishimoto was already planning to have his car restored, but it was even better to have Mazda do it in the summer. The car was ready in August and was officially handed over to the owner in September. To have owned and enjoyed a car for a quarter of a century must be a fantastic experience to have a chance to experience it again in a new state. Nishimoto says that the car is now good for another 25 years of driving.
For the time being, the recovery program certified by TÜV Rheinland is only available to Japanese customers. But since a large percentage of the first generation Miatas is still on the road, and a large percentage of these bodies have to be exported in all the usual places, we would like Mazda to also reach European and American customers.
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