1997 Mazda MX-5 Mk.1
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Highlights
- Completely unmodified
- Relatively low mileage
- Stored in a garage for years
- Some small work needed
- A great starting point
The Appeal
The MX-5 has always embodied sports car thrills for a reasonable price, over the past few years the Mk.1 especially has become a very desirable modern classic for tuners and enthusiasts alike. This example has spent a lot of its modern life sitting in a dry garage, this now means that it is nice and solid underneath.
Whether you’re looking for a small weekend toy or something to modify over the winter ready for the summer show season, then this example is the perfect starting point for you.
The History and Paperwork
- A definitive history of this MX-5 may be a bit difficult as there is not a wedge of history for it
- There is a modern, up to date, V5 though so a change of ownership should be swift
- This MX-5 has definitely lived a very sheltered life
- In the centre armrest, you’ll find a tax disc from 2002, and on one of the sun visors there is an MOT sticker from 2005
- When MOT history went digital in 2006, this car was not on the road
- Its first MOT on record shows up in 2020, and it has had one every year since
- A very interesting history indeed, these 14 years off the road has preserved this MX-5 very well
- When the current owner acquired the car, they did have to do a little bit of recommissioning work
- But since then, it has been a great little car
- You will be getting a blank canvas for whatever you want to do next
- Today, you don’t see many well-preserved Mk.1’s as they’re notorious for rotting away, but on a quick inspection, this example looks solid.
The Interior
- The seats are in great condition
- Little obvious wear or tear
- Perfect with the roof down
The interior of an MX-5 is an exercise in ‘less is more’, with only the essentials fitted so you can focus on the most important part, driving.
When you open the door, you are greeted with two comfortable cloth seats, as this car hasn’t been used too regularly over the past 2 decades the fabric and side bolster appear to be in good condition. Both these seats are ready for you and your passenger to get in and explore the open road. It’s not just the seats that are in good condition, all of the black plastic interior trim is in good condition as well.
When you turn the key and start the engine the whole interior comes alive, and it just wants to go on another adventure. Sitting behind the three-spoke steering wheel the analogue dials show all of the relevant information nice and clearly. Within the gallery you will find a couple of pictures with the car running, this helps show that no undue warning lights are present.
The whole point of the MX-5 is its top-down driving thrills, the fabric roof is extremely easy to put up and down and can be done in seconds. Once it is secured in place with the interior clips the interior is transformed into a focused driving space. You will see from the exterior shots that the rear screen does have a tear in it, so you may wish to change this.
Overall, the interior is in great condition. With the top down it is filled with light and is a lovely place to explore some of the best driving roads, but with the top up it feels like a focused area where any drive will be memorable.
The Exterior
- Fully working pop up lights
- Fox racing alloy wheels
- Classic design
The MX-5 is an instantly recognisable shape the world over, through all of its generations it has always stayed true to its original roots. Of course, this is where it all starts, the Mk.1 and what a great looking affordable sports car it is.
When you look at it from the front its large elliptical air inlet and pop-up headlights make for a happy little face that will always make other passers-by smile too.
As you can see from the photos, the exterior of this MX-5 is presented for sale in good condition. Casting your eye across the majority of the paintwork you will find a few marks dotted around, but importantly, no obvious areas of paint bubbling. This lack of bubbling once again shows the lack of corrosion on the vital parts of this car. One of the previous owners has fitted some fetching five spoke Fox Racing alloy wheels. All of these appear to be in good condition too.
With the hood erected you can see that it is in good condition, apart from the crack in the rear window which has already been mentioned. The roof does sit underneath an included tonneau cover when not in use.
The exterior of this MX-5 is in good condition indeed, and it provides you with an excellent canvas for any work or modifications you may wish to do to your new Mk.1 MX-5.
The Mechanics
- Unmodified
- Relatively low miles
- Started first time on the key
- No crunching from the gearbox
- The best fun on four wheels
Fitted to this example is a 1.6 DOHC 16-Valve engine that runs beautifully well. As it was sitting for so long some mechanical work was required to get her back up and going, but that being said, it was nothing too major. Along with the normal servicing and change of fluids a new fuel pump and other parts were also fitted to make sure it runs well.
On the day of the photo shoot, this car was required to drive to a location and then manoeuvre around several times. Everything that was asked of it, it did without even breaking a sweat. It slipped easily into first and reverse on every time of asking and it pulled up well when the brakes were applied.
Should you wish for more power during your ownership there are tons of places online that will specialise in parts for this type of vehicle, and there is also a large community around them, meaning you will never be too far away from someone who can help you out.
This MX-5 is just waiting for you to get in, turn the key, slip it into first, and get going. There really is no better feeling than getting out and about in an affordable sports car.
Summary
The MX-5 still, to this day, provides an excellent and affordable way into a sports car. This example has been looked after well throughout its life and the baton now falls to you. Whatever you do with this car during your ownership you will be doing it with a big smile on your face.
Notice to bidders
All items in this listing are sold on an “As Is - Where Is” basis. Photos and listing descriptions should be used as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this listing and Car & Classic performs a level of due diligence prior to the auction, we do not warrant the accuracy of the listings. The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Inspection is highly recommended prior to bidding. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.
Please take care when making a bid as once your bid is placed, it cannot be withdrawn and will not be cancelled. If you are unsure do not bid as no refunds will be given.
A nonrefundable buyer deposit is applied to all items won at auction. Please see our FAQs and T&Cs for further details.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1997
- Make Mazda
- Model MX5 1.6
- Colour Red
- Odometer 47,865 Miles
- Engine size 1600
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Chalfont St Peter
- Location Buckinghamshire
- Country United Kingdom
13
bids
from 10
bidders
- An•••• £2,700 30/09/22
- Fa•••• £2,600 30/09/22
- ER•••• £2,500 29/09/22
- ri•••• £2,400 27/09/22
- is•••• £2,200 26/09/22
- co•••• £1,600 26/09/22
- is•••• £1,500 24/09/22
- Co•••• £1,100 23/09/22
- lo•••• £1,000 23/09/22
- is•••• £800 23/09/22
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