When I got the Antique tag for the Miata, the woman behind the DMV counter goes, "30-year-old car? That should be something from the '70s."
Exactly, I told her.
Photography Credit: Dave Green
Earlier this year, I hung an Antique tag on the back of my ’92 Miata, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that. How could a car that I bought nearly new now qualify for reduced fare?
[Our Miata is officially an antique | Garage Rescue Miata]
Back when I first met my Miata–Christmas Eve of 1998–it was a fresh face offered from an Orlando Chevrolet dealer’s used lot. It had everything on my wish list: Miata, clean, five-speed box, in my price range.
Sold.
Today it’s a bit of an anomaly: an original-paint NA that hasn’t seen things. It’s been autocrossed–quite a bit–but never crashed, stolen or, as they say, put away wet. In fact, it’s barely been out in the rain. As far as I know, the top is original.
Soon after I bought the Miata, it became an official GRM project car. Ed Senf, back before he helped a team land on the Le Mans podium, did the tuning. The car wore some of the first Falken Azenis tires ever placed in private hands stateside. The same might be said for its original Kosei K1 wheels. An image of the car graced Koni’s SEMA booth.
My one real sin against the car: letting it sit in the corner of the garage for eight-plus years. I know, I’m a horrible person. Blame a lack of time, too much going on, and other cars in the way.
When I decided to get the Miata back on the road, I was prepared for the worst and punted, having it towed to BSI Racing, our local Spec Miata prep shop. Despite sitting in an auto cocoon for those years, the car didn’t need much mechanical work: fluids, clutch hydraulics, fresh Falkens. The cleanup involved plenty of Simple Green, elbow grease and Griot’s finest. That was nearly two years ago.
[Finding a Survivor Hiding in Plain Sight | Garage Rescue Miata]
You can find updates on the Garage Rescue Miata–not sure if anyone has yet noticed that pet name aligns with GRM–on our site. Since the resurrection, there’s been plenty of autocrossing, meetups and shop time.
After 20 years, we finally upgraded the entire suspension to Powerflex pieces. The other big update: Öhlins coil-overs from Good-Win Racing. You can also read how I used two-part epoxy and a few bamboo skewers–like for shish kebobs–to repair the rear finish panel. I’m thrifty.
Through all of those years, the Miata has always represented an accessible gateway into a larger world. At first, at least for me, it offered the experience of autocrossing a modern, rear-drive car on a budget. The Miata simply felt closer to a Corvette or a Lotus than a CRX or a GTI, cars I had previously run.
Those who took the Miata road racing found huge fields and–the important help–factory support. And then add in all of the other fields where the car has excelled: RallyCross and time trials, from drift to the Gambler 500. The Miata has proved itself everywhere.
Now, a new venue for the Miata: restoration and other classic car activities. They’re appearing over at Classic Motorsports, our sister title, where we’re comparing it against other classic roadsters like the MGB, TR6 and Alfa Spider–and the Miata’s holding its own.
Too new for that world? When we started Classic Motorsports in 2003, a 30-year-old car was a chrome-bumper MGB. Today, it’s a 1.6-liter Miata.
Perhaps the Miata will help reset the clock on the classic car world while opening another gateway: to Radwood, old-school import events and the joys of putting a classic car back on the road. The Miata has proved to be a tough cookie that doesn’t cause too much pain. Plus, the top goes down.
The Moss Motors catalog, long an ally to MG and Triumph owners, now contains Miata restoration parts: fenders and trim, door panels and window cranks. You can even get brand-new “Frankenstein” hardtop bolts for $22.99 each. (Technically, of course, they should be called Frankenstein’s monster hardtop bolts.)
My biggest concern about these early Miatas? Mazda stopped making them quite a while ago, meaning a lopsided arrangement between supply and demand. Hopefully those who want in will find a way. Despite any obstacles out there, I’m happy to save you all a seat at the table.
When I got the Antique tag for the Miata, the woman behind the DMV counter goes, "30-year-old car? That should be something from the '70s."
Exactly, I told her.
My Miata doesn't feel "old car" in the way I understand "old car". It starts as well as it always has, and there is nothing finicky like setting the choke to be "just right". I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country, today, with only a cursory check of fluids and tires.
"Earlier this year, I hung an Antique tag on the back of my ’92 Miata, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that. How could a car that I bought nearly new now qualify for reduced fare?'
I suspect that you feel the same way about that as I did when someone invited me to enter my motorcycle in a vintage bike show. What do you mean vintage?! I bought it new!
APEowner said:"Earlier this year, I hung an Antique tag on the back of my ’92 Miata, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that. How could a car that I bought nearly new now qualify for reduced fare?'
I suspect that you feel the same way about that as I did when someone invited me to enter my motorcycle in a vintage bike show. What do you mean vintage?! I bought it new!
That isn't new, but it isn't a Triumph Bonneville either.
An MG TC is more vintage than a Miata, but it's also 75 years old. From a totally different era. There is a huge difference between old cars and older cars.
APEowner said:"Earlier this year, I hung an Antique tag on the back of my ’92 Miata, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that. How could a car that I bought nearly new now qualify for reduced fare?'
I suspect that you feel the same way about that as I did when someone invited me to enter my motorcycle in a vintage bike show. What do you mean vintage?! I bought it new!
Sorta related, but this weekend I'm showing a bike in a vintage BMX show–and it's a bike that I bought new.
In reply to ZOO (Forum Supporter) :
True, but someone the same age as that Miata understands "old car" differently than you and I. No ABS? You have to check tire pressures and fluid levels manually? Only one airbag? The dash lights don't change colors? NO BLUETOOTH? What an old hulk!
ZOO (Forum Supporter) said:My Miata doesn't feel "old car" in the way I understand "old car". It starts as well as it always has, and there is nothing finicky like setting the choke to be "just right". I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country, today, with only a cursory check of fluids and tires.
I did exactly that a couple of years ago. Car was fine, it never occurred to me it should be any different.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-life-and-times-of-miata-338/160276/page1/
Okay, three years.
A few more years back, Tim was in town and we took my '85 CRX on a run out to Moab. He was surprised that I didn't bring a tool kit. Why would I? It's a Honda from the 80s going a couple of hundred miles. It's not a freshly restored Elan :) It might be as old now as an Elan would have been in 2000, but it's not as old as an unrestored Elan would have been at that age if you get my drift.
I was 29 years old when the Miata hit the showroom floor. Once you get to around 50 cars form your late teens & early twenties start to become classics.
My badass BMX bike that I just got from a friend is now 43 years old; I remember when it was brand new.
Time moves quickly.
I wonder, is "old" a sliding scale?
Hear me out.
In 1985, a 40-year-old song was old–like from the end of World War II with a big band and lots of horns.
Today, a 40-year-old song is early R.E.M.
David S. Wallens said:I wonder, is "old" a sliding scale?
Hear me out.
In 1985, a 40-year-old song was old–like from the end of World War II with a big band and lots of horns.
Today, a 40-year-old song is early R.E.M.
Old is a sliding scale but that scale is different for each generation.
There was a huge technology gap from say 1985 to 1975 and 1965 when it comes to cars. Same for music; the style hasn't radically changed in the last 20 years. In a 20 year period we went from 4 wheel drum brakes & carbs to 4 wheel discs and fuel injection on most cars. Musically we went from the Beatles to Black Sabbath to the Dead Milkman.
Cars from 20 years cars and cars from 10 years ago aren't radically different; other than the nannies cars haven't radically changed in the last 20 years.
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