Italian company Gorgona Cars has rethought the original Mazda MX-5 Miata of the NA generation with performance in mind. It introduced a prototype called Concept NM with a long list of modifications and an engine derived from the current generation roadster.
The story begins in 2019, when journalist Omar Abu Eideh and engineer David Galliano began brainstorming ways to improve on the original Miata. The roadster is old enough to call the Concept NM a restomod, although the changes made are more than skin-deep. Over the next three years, the duo created their dream Miata by making extensive visual, interior, powertrain and chassis modifications.
Starting with a restored Miata, and inspired by some of Mazda’s earlier concepts, they removed the windshield, chopped off the bottom half of the doors and placed a hard cover over most of the passenger compartment to create what Italians in called the past as a barchetta. The clear trim parts were painted in black and the Miata got a set of 15-inch Enkei RPF1 alloy wheels.
Trimming the doors isn’t just a design decision: it also increases the Miata’s structural rigidity and protects the driver in a side impact. Gorgona Cars also added a roll bar and reinforced the subframes and various parts of the chassis by welding reinforcement bars.
Gorgona gutted the cabin to lose as much weight as possible. The list of components returned to the parts bin includes the carpet, the various trim parts, the dashboard, the passenger seat, the radio and sound system it plays with, and the air conditioning system. Sitting on a racing seat equipped with a four-point belt, the driver faces a Momo steering wheel and modern instrument panel.
This approach to restomodding explains the name: NM stands for Naked Monoposto, which means “one-seater” in Italian. It also plays a big part in reducing weight: The roadster weighs 1,829 pounds in its lightest configuration, or about 240 pounds less than a standard NA.
Power comes from the Miata’s current 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which develops 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque in stock. Gorgona plans to offer what it calls a power kit that will boost those numbers to 225 and 165 respectively, though there’s no word on what the bundle will contain. Regardless of power, the four-cylinder turns the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission mated to a short-throw shifter and a limited-slip differential. Adjustable coilovers and sturdier brakes are also part of the build.
Gorgona Cars plans to homologate the Concept NM for road use and enter production, although it has not revealed whether the United States is on its radar. In Europe, prices start at 70,000 euros (approximately $70,000) excluding applicable taxes and the cost of the donor car.