1989 Mazda Miata

The Mazda Miata was patterned after the Lotus Elan of the 1960s. It was conceived in the United States at Mazda's design headquarters in California and built in Japan. It made its first debut at the February 1989 Chicago Auto Show where it was an immediate success. It drew thousands of onlookers eager to pay the $13,800 sticker price.

Powering the MX-5 Miata was a four-cylinder dual-overhead-cam engine offering 116 horsepower. It had a fully independent suspension with dual wishbones, coil springs, and anti-roll bars. At all four corners were disc brakes.

Standard equipment included a driver's side airbag and a folding manual top. For an additional $1,100, a removable hardtop could be purchased. Other options included a limited-slip differential, a compact-disk player, and an air conditioning system.

The Miata revitalized open-air driving and, at its low price, was available to a wide array of buyers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011