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