A marketing collaboration with The Berkeley luxury hotel in Knightsbridge is the reason behind this very rare and sought after limited edition MX5, where Mazda ran a competition to win a weekend break alongside the launch of these gorgeous final run UK-only editions.
Based on the all-famous NA chassis with its friendly pop-up lights, the Berkeley edition featured a nice sum of edition-specific features, such as; 15” five-spoke alloy wheels, black and grey leather seats with eye-catching Sparkle Green metallic paint job. More interior features included a Momo three-spoke leather steering wheel, dark wood effect console trim, leather handbrake and gear stick gaiters, stainless sill plates, a polished cabin brace bar and a lovely numbered plaque located on the centre console.
Finding one of these Berkeley editions is a difficult feat in itself, but finding an all original and low mile example like the one we have here is nigh on impossible - it’s practically unheard of to find an NA MX5 that has managed to stay away from a welder these days.
The feeling you get when peering into the interior of this MX5 can only be equal to time travelling back to 1998 and pressing your face up against the Mazda dealership's glass window. It’s nothing short of perfection here thanks to the meticulous storage whenever the car hasn’t been in use alongside the great care taken around the vehicle.
The seats present themselves in a Berkeley-specific colour way with black and grey leather, both seats are in fantastic condition and still maintain their matte finish you get in any new vehicle, the stitching is completely intact and there is no damage throughout. The original floor mats are still in place and are in good condition too with no damage seemingly no colour transfer either.
Presented in front of you as you sit in the driver seat is the lovely 3-spoke leather Momo steering wheel in fantastic condition, with the original Momo centre. In clear view are the gauges reading an impressive 13,722 miles from new, and still work flawlessly.
Berkeley edition cars have a dark wood effect console trim as can be seen on this example, surrounding the vents, air controls, gear stick and the cubby hole just beside the hand brake. We think it adds a little bit of class overall and makes the car very distinguishable compared to the usual drab black plastics on normal models.
Overall, the interior of this MX5 is an absolute time warp, fabulously maintained and looked after gives us a glimpse into the past - it would put the vast majority of modern cars to shame here.
Original 5-spoke alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts
Berkeley badges on the front wings
Perfectly preserved soft-top
Berkeley specific chrome boot rack
Completely original paintwork
Body panels all straight and true with no signs of rust
Underbody incredibly clean
Quite a handsome looking MX5, don’t you think? Finished in Sparkle Green metallic paint which was specific to the Berkeley models, there aren’t many MX5’s kicking around in this colour. 400, to be exact. But how many of those are left today is in question - we bet it’s not a whole lot!
At the front of the vehicle, even under very close inspection, the paint appears to be in great shape and we even had trouble finding any stone chips. The bumper is in great shape as are the indicator lenses and the pop-up headlights which still function as they should, and the bonnet is of similar condition with all of the panel gaps seeming that of factory fitment.
Moving around to the side of the vehicle we’re greeted with those lovely 5-spoke alloy wheels the car wears so well, which are shod in Yokohama Neova RS tyres all round. The wheels themselves are immaculate, with no signs of corrosion or any curb markings - quite fitting with the rest of the vehicle! The panels around the side are all straight and true and have flawless panel gaps.
To the rear of the vehicle, we’re instantly drawn to the boot lid thanks to the chrome boot rack fitted to these limited editions, which surprisingly still has its original Caution label fitted. The same story is present here in terms of paintwork, it is in outstanding condition on every panel.
Putting the roof up or down is an absolute breeze in this little roadster, and is in great shape with no cracks or tears and the rear window is completely intact too. An original tonneau cover also comes with the vehicle and shows no signs of damage or dampness which is a great sign!
To find any NA MX5 in such condition is a gargantuan task, but even more so when it's a limited edition like this!
Incredibly fun, is one way to put it. The MX5 is a sports car with handling at the forefront of what it stands for, thanks to the double wishbone independent suspension front and rear, this car is more than capable and is a joy to be driven on any road! The lightweight chassis and engine meant that even though you only produced 129bhp, it was more than enough to get the adrenaline pumping.
The seller reports to us that this car is mechanically flawless, the engine will fire up at the turn of a key and idle without any problem or warning light appearing - and given the impressive service history and MOT history, it’s easy to see. The power delivery is excellent and responsive and the gear changes through the 5-speed box are smooth and engaging. A true pleasure to be behind the wheel of.
It should be noted that this vehicle is currently on a SORN due to being stored as it is not in use, but the car is regularly checked over and the engine started to ensure the car is in perfect running order.
As the saying goes, this car truly is a ‘needle in a haystack’ find. Only 400 of these gems were ever produced and it’s questionable how many still survive today - so to find a concours and original example such as this is true shock!
This needs to be snatched up and pronto, you won’t see another one like this!
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1998 Mazda MX5 Berkeley
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