Lifted Rally Miata Proves It's Still The Answer To Everything
The ongoing automotive journalist meme that Mazda’s nearly perfect Miata is the answer to everything may not technically be true. But, this “Lifted Rally” Miata sure makes a good case in its favor.
This example is an original NA Miata featuring none other than British Racing Green paint. It’s been lifted with longer springs and FM upper perch spacers, though the owner admits he wouldn’t take it off-road as the spring are at “near factory rate”. Inside, the seats have been reshod in new vinyl, a “vintage” roll hoop has been added, and the owner claims the car itself is completely rust free. If you don’t feel like dealing with the hardtop, the MX-5 is equipped with the latest in tan glass window top fashions. (Sorry, hardtop not included.)
The rally-wannabe NA MX-5 is listed on Grassroots Motorsports with a $4,200 asking price in Roswell, GA.
[h/t Bring A Trailer]
More by Mark Stevenson
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I'm sure there is a pair of women's shoes that offer more arch support than the men's equivalent but it doesn't mean they are the best shoes for everyone. People praise the Miata on the Internet but it's a whole other thing to actually be the weirdo driving around in these things.
Is that the best tyre for rallying? There seems to be an excessive amount of sidewall. This will not do wonders for handling. 70 Series T/As???
One of the best things about a Miata is that since they've made nearly 1 million of them, it's no big deal when somebody does this to one. Imagine the howling if someone did this to a Ferrari. I have had my Miata since my older son was in fourth grade. He's now in graduate school. Most guys I know don't fit in it. One of my friends is rather long-waisted, and when he rode in it, we had to put the top down and his forehead was above the windshield. No, it's not the perfect car for everyone, obviously because not everyone fits in it. And if you're one of those horsepower guys, you hate this car, along with the Consonant Twins from Scion & Subaru. For those of us who are less interested in results at the drag strip, it's a fun all-around car.
Forget the drag strip...I just wonder what the effective gear ratios are going to be with those meats on it. Coupled with the no-torque engine, this is basically going to be a clutch-destroying machine if it's ever actually taken onto any tight, uphill stages. And the structural "rigidity" of an NA Miata is never going to work as a rally car...vintage roll hoop notwithstanding. At the first driver swap, you won't be able to get the doors open.