The MX5 needs no introduction, having gained the accolade of being the most popular sports car ever produced, and for good reason. Despite being much maligned in the UK for being aimed at the softer market it has been applauded by the motoring press all over the world as one of the best handling and supremely balanced sports cars ever built.  Ask anyone who has ever owned one and they will be full of praise.  Even Jeremy Clarkson is a fan of the car.

It is renowned for its reliability and drivability with its monocoque chassis and near 50:50 weight distribution. The car itself is, if anything over engineered and strong enough to take more power.  Indeed some owners have even fitted V8 engines with no dramatic effect on the handling characteristics.  Race bred handling and performance packages are available for the enthusiast. 

The Mazda MX5 was designed to recapture the driving experience of a classic British roadster and has been in production since 1989. It was sold as the Mazda Eunos in Japan and the Miata in America.  Many Japanese registered models are still being imported into the UK today.

The first series model with the pop up headlights is currently the only model suitable for the AMX Astonish kit.  This is known as the NA series and was manufactured between 1989 and 1997.  Because the MX5 has endeared itself to owners all over the world they have tended to be well looked after so even a sub £1000 car should make a decent proposition as a platform for the AMX Astonish kit.

The MX5 has a huge following which means that there a number of very good owners clubs and a good few dedicated websites. All of which are a great source for information and advice.

The engines are fitted with twin camshafts with either 1.6 litre (110 bhp Eunos or lower for some UK models) or 1.8 litre (131 bhp) engines with some turbo charged variants.  This modest power combined with a low weight (just 1035 Kg) makes for nippy performance. Many variants are fitted with power steering and limited slip differential.  It has a 0-60 mph time in under 9 seconds and a top speed of 123 mph (1.8 variant).  If driven carefully it will return between 38 – 42 miles to the gallon.  There is a range of aftermarket performance extras which can be used improve handling and power including superchargers and turbo chargers boosting power upto and in excess of 250 bhp.  The black AMX in the gallery has been fitted with a Mazda GTX Familia turbo charged engine with around 200 bhp.