Mazda Is Now Producing 'As-New' Restored MX-5s

Fancy a brand new, factory-fresh NA-era Mazda MX-5? The factory in Japan has shown off the stunning results of its official refurbishment programme
Mazda Is Now Producing 'As-New' Restored MX-5s

Mazda’s Japan-only MX-5 refurbishment service, which aims to return a tired and tatty early car to basically as-new condition, has produced its first results.

The ‘car that makes everyone happy’ became a legend in its own time, with many owners still insisting they never want to sell. The deliciously comprehensive scheme emerged from customer demand for an official restoration that would allow them to keep their cars forever.

Mazda Is Now Producing 'As-New' Restored MX-5s

Mazda’s programme, based at its Hiroshima factory, has now begun. Specialist technicians took an old car in danger of reaching the end of its life and spectacularly wound the clock right back to its youth. Over as much as two months the car was taken apart piece by piece. Parts that could be saved are reused or reconditioned, and those that are too far gone were replaced with official parts.

One shiny, as-new, restored engine
One shiny, as-new, restored engine

The bodywork is taken back to bare metal and resprayed by hand and the engine is rebuilt from the base components upwards. The scars of time are thoroughly erased, with every piece of work recorded photographically and in writing to then create a unique diary of the car’s rebirth.

At the moment it’s only open to MX-5 owners in Japan. The canny Brits among you will know, though, that there’s a healthy market for importing MX-5s from Japan. An as-new Mazda-restored one could create very strong demand on these shores.

Mazda Is Now Producing 'As-New' Restored MX-5s

Fans, owners’ clubs and specialist parts suppliers all had a significant hand in the development of the scheme, which has just completed its first official restoration for a customer. The want, as the saying goes, is strong.

Comments

Robert Homann

Alex intensifies

10/26/2018 - 10:36 |
216 | 2

Hahaha!

10/28/2018 - 17:52 |
14 | 0
Ali Mahfooz

If only this came in a few years earlier and the service was made available globally, Alex wouldn’t have spend so much money and resources saving Phil. 😆

10/26/2018 - 10:37 |
100 | 2

hmm the laborcosts would make up for that money saved probably 5 times at least. you probably pay the price of a new mx5 if not more to get yours completely “refreshed”

10/26/2018 - 21:15 |
2 | 0

It’s been so worth it though

10/28/2018 - 17:53 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

MIATA
IS
ALWAYS
THE
ANSWER

10/26/2018 - 11:27 |
48 | 0
TheDriver 1

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

cough MR2 coughcough

10/26/2018 - 12:12 |
34 | 4
sviatoslav kruk

This is great! I can only wish that more manufectures do this

10/26/2018 - 11:51 |
12 | 0

So far Nissan with the GTR program and now Mazda with the Miata program. If we can get Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi on board I’ll be happy. It would be cool if you could opt to buying it brand new though. I wouldn’t mind financing a brand new S2000.

10/26/2018 - 12:16 |
16 | 0
HinaXOX

I am crying …. I’m so Happy…

10/26/2018 - 12:07 |
14 | 0
Jake 136

Mazda is the messiah

10/26/2018 - 12:12 |
8 | 0
Andrew3091

I hope that they broaden it to the United States because I love to have mine done

10/26/2018 - 14:17 |
8 | 0

Ditto!

10/26/2018 - 17:08 |
2 | 0

seeing as you buy rotas for your miata, im pretty sure you wouldnt be able to afford the service.

10/30/2018 - 12:46 |
0 | 0
Kenji (Oldsmobile Fan) (GoldWing Enthusiast) (wheel nut)

mazda: restores mx5 owner: mods mx5 Mazda:

10/26/2018 - 15:53 |
22 | 0
Anonymous

What the story neglects to mention is that this service costs Japanese customers about the same as 15 rusty UK mk1s. It is premium stuff, for your nostalgic middle-aged Japanese worker with millions of yen in the bank.

10/26/2018 - 15:54 |
10 | 0
F1VEFOUR

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Well, you get a brand new car, so it’ll cost like a brand new car… This programme is not meant for your average cheapo or college student

10/26/2018 - 16:04 |
10 | 0

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