It’s true…the MX-5 remains the best-selling two-seater sports car - in the world. And there is a myriad of reasons why, but the most important are its ‘fun-per-ton’ (or power-to-weight) ratio and its sheer driveability.
The Mazda MX-5 stands for ‘Mazda Experiment’ and ‘Project Number 5’. The MX-5 went through seven years of heavily critiqued design, engineering and testing before production was given the green light. It eventually went on sale in the UK on 14 March 1990, priced at £14,249.
Take one out, hare it down your favourite road without being silly and you feel like you’ve just had the best drive of your life. The MX-5 handles too sweetly to ignore. Get one now while they’re for next to nothing.
According to the data plate, Mazda Eunos ‘212086’ rolled off the Hiroshima assembly line in mid-June, 1993. It spent the following nine years enjoying the salt-free roads of Japan before making its way to the UK in August 2002, when it received its first UK registration on 2nd September, 2002.
Since arriving on our shores, it has been enjoyed by four former keepers prior to its acquisition by the current keeper in July 2020. However, due to ill-health and no longer being able to drive, the owner has reluctantly offered the car up for sale.
Accompanying the car will be the V5 Certificate, two sets of original keys, a small file of repair and service invoices from recent years, and a Haynes ’89-‘05 MX-5 Workshop Manual.
Requires some TLC to elevate to a higher standard.
The original interior is swathed in tan leather which presents in reasonable condition but would benefit from a good valet and detailing session.
The tan leather extends to the door cards which are in good condition, as are the other soft furnishings such as the carpets and rubber protection matts. The driver’s seat – as is typical of low-riding sports cars – is showing signs of wear and previous tear, with a patch to the lower right seat bolster as pictured.
The manually-operated soft top roof opens and closes in a jiffy and its condition is commensurate with it being new in 2016. The zipped rear window is clear of blemish and functional.
Slip into the driver’s seat, grab the sporty steering wheel and you’re transported back to the early 90s. If Meatloaf waxed lyrical in your ear about ‘doing anything for love’, but he wouldn’t do ‘that’, you would be fully forgiven.
Presented in its original British Racing Green (Mazda paint code ‘HU’), the good condition of the interior continues out to the exterior of this iconic Japanese sports car. However, there are a number of small scratches and minor blemishes around the car and the new keeper may wish to have the entire car detailed and buffed which would elevate it to a higher standard.
The original factory-fitted alloy wheels are in good condition and are shod with a set of CORSA 60 tyres in reasonable health.
The headlight lenses are clear and the plastic indicator/reflector lenses show no hint of fogging which may often be expected on a car of this age. The same may be said for the rear light clusters. A cursory glance down each flank shows no evidence of damage.DyRI9HPE9zEJ3c0s1AcK0RtUWzlTPObbOW3gVS8b.jpeg415.75 KB
The Mechanics
Two original keys.
1.6 twin cam paired to rare auto with overdrive.
MoT to October, 2022.
New timing belts in 2005 and 2020.
As the car hadn’t been fired up for some time, it was jump-started and settled into an appreciative four-pot burble straight away and warmed up in quick time.
It drove well during short distance to the photo location. The four-speed automatic with overdrive connected smoothly and Drive engaged with no drama, requiring just a light feathering of the revs to get underway.
The keeper reports the car to be in good mechanical condition with the engine, brakes, steering, running gear and drivetrain performing as well as their respective Japanese engineers intended 33 years ago.
Because the car spent the first nine years of its life in Japan traversing their salt-free roads, the underside and side-sills present in very good order and exhibits a degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age.
The Eunos/MX-5 is a stylish sports car, beloved of enthusiasts worldwide and with a very active UK owners’ scene enjoying regular drive-outs and meet-ups. Early models such as the one offered here are inexpensive to buy and run, are well kitted out and reliable enough for daily use.
In addition, mechanical and body spares are readily available and not for silly money, either. It’s the all-round driver’s sports car.
Essentially, two options appear open to the new keeper of K474 FAW…give this two-seater sports car a new, elevated lease of life with a thorough internal and external going-over, or simply keep the mechanicals running as smoothly as they currently do and continue to enjoy the road less travelled – and not just on Sundays.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
