Description
1997 Mazda MX‑5 Dakar – No. 199/ 400 – 12, 900 Miles – 2 Owners – Full, Continuous Service History
Quite possibly the finest Dakar in the UK
Opportunities like this don’t come around twice. This 1997 Mazda MX‑5 Dakar, build number 199 of just 400 worldwide, is not only one of the rarest MX‑5s ever produced – it is also one of the most astonishingly preserved examples you will find anywhere.
With a genuine 12, 900 miles, just two owners from new, and a fully documented service history, this Dakar is the definition of a collector‑grade car. It is, without exaggeration, one of the best examples of its kind in the country.
A Special Edition With Genuine Pedigree
The MX‑5 has long been celebrated as Britain’s favourite sports car – praised for its balance, purity, and timeless driving feel. Mazda’s special editions added exclusivity and craftsmanship, and the Dakar stands among the most desirable of them all.
Only 400 were ever built. Very few survive in exceptional condition. Almost none survive like this.
Twilight Blue – The Dakar Signature
Finished in the Dakar‑exclusive Twilight Blue, this car presents beautifully, with a depth and clarity that only low‑mileage, well‑cared‑for paint retains. The special edition enhancements include:
15-inch Dakar alloy wheels
Grey leather seats with blue piping
Walnut burr dashboard & centre console
Chrome interior accents
Leather Momo steering wheel
Security immobiliser & locking wheel nuts
CD Mutli-Changer
Tonneau Cover
The interior is a time capsule – crisp, clean, and unmistakably premium.
Provenance: Fully Documented, Fully Verified
This Dakar’s history is exceptional and unusually complete:
2 owners from new
13 service stamps in the original service book
Every stamp present and correctly recorded
Full set of service receipts
Receipts covering every single year since the final stamped entry
In other words, the service book is complete, and the maintenance didn’t stop when the stamps did — it simply continued with annual invoices instead. This gives the car a continuous, unbroken service record from new to today, something almost unheard of for a 1997 sports car.
This is provenance you can trust. Provenance you can prove. Provenance that sets this Dakar apart.
Condition: As Close to New as You’ll Find
Everything about this car feels tight, fresh, and beautifully preserved. The paint, interior, mechanicals, and trim all reflect careful ownership and minimal use. It drives exactly as a low‑mileage Mk1 should: light, precise, eager, and utterly charming.
Why This Dakar Is the One to Buy
Most MX‑5s have been enjoyed enthusiastically, and rightly so. But that makes cars like this almost mythical. Low‑mileage, two‑owner, fully documented Dakars simply do not appear on the market.
This is the kind of car that stays in collections. The kind of car people regret not buying when they had the chance.
A Rare, Unrepeatable Opportunity
If you want a Mk1 MX‑5 that is both exceptional to drive and exceptional to own, this Dakar is the benchmark. A true unicorn: rare, beautiful, impeccably preserved, and historically significant.
Number 199/ 400. Twilight Blue. 12, 900 miles. Two owners. Full, continuous service history. A collector’s dream – and one of the finest Dakars in the UK.
