Mazda: 20 years of MX-5

Photo : D.R. - Mazda

It is the second birthday of the year for the Japanese marque; 90 years since the birth of Mazda, and 20 years of its most attractive and fun model; the MX-5.

Unveiled at Chicago in 1989, the MX-5 was intended to revive the spirit of small sporting roadsters in the English style of the 60s: MGB, Triumph TR ... and who could forget the Lotus Elan of Diana Rigg in 60's TV series "The Avengers”?

Some 900,000 MX's later, Mazda's convertible has a special version called MX-5 20th Anniversary (1.8 litre, 126 hp). Embellished with a pretty white dress for the French market, it has a special styling package of chrome grille, lights and door handles ... until a new special edition to celebrate the millionth MX perhaps? Its silhouette, which has undergone only minor alterations since 1989, has withstood time and fashion and steadfastly refuses to look 'dated'.

Don't forget that Japan celebrates another birthday next year: the 20th anniversary of victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, won by Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot and Volkert Weidler. Mazda remains the only Japanese manufacturer to have won in La Sarthe.

Jean-Philippe Doret – Translated by Dave Davies