Highlights

Believed to have been campaigned as a racing car by Mazda UK in the 1990 BRDC MX-5 Mazda Cup
Very early example: registered on 26th March 1990, chassis number 1,271 for UK
BBR Turbo conversion kit fitted - one of only 850 carried out
Garage stored during present ownership

The Appeal

This isn't your average MX-5.

The vendor has owned it since 2016 and has since carried out a great deal of research into its history. Here is what they found:

It is believed to be one of the original cars which were race prepared for the 1990 BRDC MX-5 Mazda cup. Based upon YouTube footage of the whole 1990 series and race programmes from Autosport, the vendor understands that the car was raced in the series by John Blennerhassett and the main sponsor of car number 15 was Broxhead Motors Ltd (a Mazda dealership in Hampshire). Blennerhassett won the opening round at Silverstone and was second at Donnington Park. He finished 6th overall in the championship.

The vendor also found that the car was re-shelled in 1992 following an accident, painted a different colour (Red Passion Rose) and had a BBR Turbo conversion kit fitted (which is stated on the service book). It's said that only 850 BBR conversions were carried out and very few still exist. Mazda officially sanctioned the conversion offering it as an upgrade with a three-year warranty or 60,000 miles.

The vendor, a seasoned restorer, had intended to rebuild the Mazda, acquiring it from a friend who had owned it for many years. This didn't come to fruition however, the vendor citing that it was just too fun to drive to take apart. offered in usable condition and benefitting from regular servicing, this MX-5 offers a rare opportunity to buy into a piece of Mazda history.

History and Paperwork

Registered on 26th March 1990, making it a very early model - The MX-5 was launched by Mazda in the UK on 14th March 1990
According to the chassis number it is number 1,271 off the Mazda production line for cars to be exported to the UK
DVLA records indicate previously painted white
Ten previous registered keepers
Acquired by the current owner on 31st October 2016
MOT valid until April 2025
Believed to be the last remaining race car from a specific part of British MX5 history
Originally owned by Mazda UK and used as a race car
The vendor has a letter from the Metropolitan Police dated 10th September 1996 stating that the car was originally owned by Mazda UK and was used as a race car
We're informed that the reason for the police investigation was that someone had tried to use the chassis number on another vehicle and that the new body shell had to have the original chassis number stamped and approved - the stamp and approval is on the letter from the police
Believed to have been raced by John Blennerhassett in the 1990 BRDC MX-5 Mazda Cup
The Police letter also states that it was re-shelled in 1992 after an accident, painted passion rose, and fitted with a BBR Turbo conversion kit
The letter then states it was then registered to a Mazda dealership in Hampshire
Self-serviced since 2016, with oil, filter, and plugs changed every 5,000 miles up to 103,000 miles
Stored in a garage

The vendor comments:

"I have tried to contact John Blennerhassett to verify this but to no avail. I also tried to contact Broxhead Motors but they have ceased to trade. I also contacted Mazda Uk but they informed me that their records only go back to 2001.

So, I believe that the car was owned by Mazda and raced under Broxhead Motors sponsorship. I believe in 1992 it was re-shelled after an accident, painted a different colour (Red Passion Rose) and had a BBR Turbo conversion kit fitted (which is stated on the service book).

The reason I think that the original colour was white and then painted Red Passion Rose in 1992 is because Mazda introduced the colour that year.

I bought the vehicle off a friend who had owned it for many years. It had only done 83,000 miles (2016). He was a little older than me and was struggling to get on and out of the car. I bought it with his blessing because he knew I would look after it and restore it one day. (I own other classic vehicles which I have restored personally to Concours condition).

However, I have never got around to restoring this car (apart from general servicing) because I have used it and loved driving it so much. However, I simply don’t have the time to strip it down and do the full chassis restoration that this car deserves. I hope the next owner gets as much fun out of the car as I have had since I’ve owned it."

The Condition

The bodywork looks reasonably good for the age of the car
No serious corrosion on the underbody and no evidence of structural repair
The vendor comments that it would benefit from wire brushing and WaxOyl protection or similar
The folding roof looks in smart order and reportedly operates well
Shows general wear and tear for its age, including cracks in plastic and carpet wear
Driver's seat has a bolster hole in the fabric, common for an MX-5 with this mileage
Small dents and scratches typical for a 35-year-old car that has not been restored
New rear sills and bottom section of front wings repaired/replaced
Original colour believed to be white, painted Red Passion Rose in 1992

The Mechanics

1.6-litre four-cylinder twin-cam with BBR Turbo conversion
Five-speed manual gearbox
BBR performance figures stated as: 150bhp, 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds, top speed 130mph
We're informed that the Mazda runs, drives, and handles very well
We're informed of a slight oil leak, likely from the cam sensor O ring, a common and straightforward fix
Slight suspension bush/pin wear but not excessive
Both oil leak and suspension wear were advisories on the last MOT
Fitted with coil-over suspension and a roll bar
The vendor notes very good acceleration with no discernible turbo lag
Owner believes it is the best handling MX5 they have ever driven

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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