MAZDA MX-5 MIATA: The Untold Story
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
The Mazda MX-5 Miata represented a return to form for sports cars. Safety regulations, emissions standards, and shifting consumer tastes had decimated the segment. They were on the verge of extinction when Mazda broke ground on one of their own. It was never a sure thing. The project was in constant jeopardy and many within Mazda believed that there was no longer a market for that kind of car anywhere in the world. Its survival was nothing short of a miracle. Engineers and designers needed to stay the course in the face of internal doubters as well as an uncertain industry outlook. The product of their blood, sweat, and tears was one of the greatest sports cars of all time.
The 1970s were a tumultuous period for the entire industry, but Mazda had more or less recovered by the early 80s. The sedans as well as the B-Series pickup line had given the company some much-needed stability. Some companies could only dream of conditions like this, but Michinori Yamanouchi, GM of the product planning division, feared that this could actually have negative effects.
SOURCES
www.barchetta.co/miata-sources
00:00 INTRO
1:00 CONCEPTION
6:44 DESIGN COMPETITION
17:05 SANTA BARBARA TRIP
21:48 ENGINEERING
31:22 FINALIZING DESIGN
Пікірлер: 50
I've heard this story a hundred times, but not to this detail. And with I've never seen video. Well done.
I owned a 1989, number 2,260th MX-1 ever built in it's all original state complete with the very rare original "steel rims". It was purchased in Canada where the first batch was sent to North America. Unfortunately I had to sell it just 2 years ago. It is here on Mercer Island WA.
would love to see a video on how the infiniti g35 put infiniti on the map in the era of BMW 3 and Audi A4 dominance all while holding back the Lexus IS F and Acura TL Type S. how did the Hyundai Genesis Coupe ultimately fare against the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 Coupe?
Great video! I bought my Miata in 1993. Still have it!
@ruthlessreid9172
3 ай бұрын
My wife still has a 97 black with hard top.
@ag4allgood
2 ай бұрын
Most owners regret ever selling or trading them in if its not for a different Miata. I have heard Mazda is even offering services to get NA's back to their original showroom shape. I have a 2016 Club soft top I really like. Its my 1st Miata & 1st convertible. I have to drive an NA one day. Its on my bucket list.
"if the 86 can do it, so can I"
I drove an ‘89 Miata. Absolutely one of my favourite cars I’ve owned.
This introspective is legend. Great insight.
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
Thank you
Good way to start off my day
Amazing story. Proud to own one.
MIATA time! I've been waiting for this story for ages!
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
Hope you enjoyed it!
A great and interesting dive into the r and d of this amazing little car! Would love to know rhe back history of the origional Rx7....
Im german and i didn't know Miata was a old Germanic word
Your NSX video got me to your channel. The excellent content got me to subscribe! Keep at it, ur channel will find the algorithm eventually! I can see this channel getting big!
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I love Mazda!
Awesome story and lots to learn from a nice car.
Great Video
Can't wait to get back in mine when im done with this
I can't wait for the movie!
I hope I can keep mine forever.
If they had another idea like this.. something cheap.. basic.. fun.. and was built for a fun manual it would sell like hotcakes.. I understand tariffs, shipping, safety regs has made cars without even being built yet cost around $5-$10k.. but any car built these days that cost mid twenties would sell.
Thx for this epic video about the cutest car 🚗
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
No problem!
Awesome. I wish you had talked about the customer reception & the sales….
They should make a movie!
A milestone in automotive history. No Miata should be junked. They should be preserved for posterity.
they struggled so hard with this car only to have it sell like hotcakes. deserved mazda!
Hirai was right. This is the essence of a MX5, horse & rider.
30:44 Where did you get these lovely videos of the CAD body stress tests? I've only ever seen pictures of these before. I can't find them in your sources page.
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
Hey. I found that clip in this video. It starts at 8:18. kzread.info/dash/bejne/eaxm2JqJf8q_ZtY.html
Could you please do an episode on the FD3S Mazda Rx-7.
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
Added to the list. I appreciate your suggestion.
Did not mention the Ford Capri convertible based on the Mazda 323 chassis and mechanicals. This forced mazda to study convertibles based on 323 .
MX means Mazda Experiment, hence. Mazda Xperiment, 5- MX5
👏👏👏👏
First of all, I had a 1992 MX-5 NA (it wasn't called Miata in Europe) for 16 years until 2008 and loved it. But what still strikes me the most about this portrait is that the creator seems to have taken his name from an unabashed (albeit much more short lived) copy of the MX-5, the Fiat Barchetta. Yes, and I know there are some who still consider the NA to be a ripoff of the Lotus Elan. Granted to an extent. But the MX-5 was totally reliable, more than any other car I owned.
Man that's too bad. Would have been great if they did indeed, never happened.
@Ben_Kunz
8 ай бұрын
wtf?
Did someone say…MIATA
@Barchetta
Жыл бұрын
MIATA!
Why do these videos always say it's the best selling sports car of all time. The Corvette is a sports car and has sold 1.7 million. Don't say I mean convertible sports cars as that is meaningless. Yes I am a fan of the Miata.
@ag4allgood
4 ай бұрын
Corvettes selling since 1956 production. Not exactly light weight sport cars.
@Kev27RS
4 ай бұрын
It is! Back in 2000 it even appeared in the Guinness World Records book as the "Best selling two-seater sports car (roadster)".
Interesting. Just wish it was narrated by a human
Untold story: Copy German and British cars (as usual) make it cheap.
@kabysummit5801
2 ай бұрын
The video showed multiple designs and iterations. The chassis and platform were from the 323 an existing production car. The outcome is fantastic for lovers of roadsters. Timeless classic! Well done Mazda.