Full service history with stamped service book and accompanying service and work done invoices since purchase
All old tax discs and old SORN acknowledgement letters present
The Appeal
Who doesn’t love a convertible? True roofless aficionados know there are many reasons for having one on your driveway but, bragging rights aside, most are sensory. Exposed as you are to nature’s elements, there is a the heightened sense of motion, the aural resonance of a finely-tuned engine, the rush of passing scenery, the fragrance of fresh, open air as dappled shade flickers over your Ray-Bans. Driving life rarely gets better!
With summer just around the corner, now is the time to grab one of these little gems – and they rarely come to market more unique than this fine example. It’s had the same owner since new 31 years ago, wears a mere 21,650 miles (although, you wouldn’t think so to look at it) and is in remarkable and original condition throughout.
During the time we spent in and around the car, it was easy to comprehend the passion that continues unabated for these diminutive Japanese sports cars – and why the MX-5 has become the best-selling two-seater sports car…in the world!
Original sales invoice dated Friday, 28th June, 1991.
All the SORN confirmations (only taxed in summers and only driven on sunny days).
Dry-stored/garaged when not in use.
Full service history.
MoT to March, 2023.
V5 certificate in keeper’s name.
According to the data plate, H1 JOP rolled off Mazda’s Hiroshima production plant in late March, 1991. It received its first and only UK registration on 27th June, 1991 by its current keeper.
Accompanying the car will be a comprehensive file of service and maintenance records, an original sales invoice, an original period MX-5 brochure and MX-5 accessories catalogue and period newsletters from Club MX and MX-5 Owner’s Club.
The original interior is in exceptional condition for its age and is a throwback to an altogether different automotive era when things were simpler, less complicated and far easier to live with.
Everything presents as it was bought over thirty years ago. The cloth-covered seats are in very good condition, along with the dashboard, door cards, sun visors and other soft furnishings. The custodian reports that all the instruments, switchgear and backlights work as originally intended.
Slide into H1 JOP’s figure-hugging driver’s seat and you’re transported back to the early 90’s. Grip the compact, dealer-fitted MOMO steering wheel – give the original wooden gear knob a little wiggle and you just can’t wait to get under way! The original (and unused) MX-5 steering wheel resides in the boot and will, of course, accompany the sale of the car.
The handbrake is fitted with an original wooden handle and a factory-fitted Clarion CRX-62 slide-out radio/cassette audio is present, which still sounds great. Also fitted pre-delivery with these other Mazda extras - chrome sill scuff plates,spare wheel storage liner, luxury car mats and a luxury boot mat
The one small issue are the small nibbles from an unwelcome mouse to the tonneau cover some years ago (see gallery). However, online research suggests that replacements are available for this Mk1 model – and not for silly money either.
Presented in its original Crystal White (code UC), the excellent condition of the interior continues to the exterior of this iconic Japanese sports car and is indicative of the love and care afforded to it by its original keeper.
The original factory-fitted alloy wheels are in exceptional condition and shod with a good set of Dunlop SP Sport 200’s all round. At the front, the pop-up headlight lenses are clear and the plastic indicator/reflector lenses show no hint of fogging often associated with a car of this age. The same may be said for the rear light clusters.
A cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of damage and the (yes, also original) retractable soft top is in an-new condition.
There are a few small issues to this car’s exterior. There is a small blemish near the fuel filler flap, another to the rear bumper and a stone chip to the front number plate. In addition, the black paint is flaking right wiper blade foil. That’s it.
Detailed images of these are shown in the accompanying gallery. As stated, they are all minor and any professional body shop/detailer worthy of stature would make short work of them – and for not a lot of money either.
While at the photo location, the MX-5 was frequently repositioned to obtain the best of the challenging light at this time of year. The car started first and every time and settled into an appreciative four-pot burble. The five-speed manual gearbox connected smoothly – including reverse – and the clutch engaged with no drama, requiring a light feathering of the revs to get underway.
The custodian reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective Japanese engineers intended over thirty years ago.
The car has a notably healthy MoT history, with one erroneous ‘fail’ in 2009 said to be caused by an ill-positioned front number plate. As it was fitted by Mazda UK at the time of its first registration, this is of course not correct.
Like the immediately visible parts of this car, the underside and lower sills present in very good order with a degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age. All voids, cavities, the engine bay and even the fuel filler pipe recess, were Waxoyled, and the underside undersealed, early in the car's life.) A stainless exhaust was fitted pre-delivery and the car's only been a few miles since a new battery was fitted last October.S82E0BOpyWK3qIxCV9u2Lm34l8718eCV6y0lwuwk.jpeg481.43 KB
Summary
There are few modern classics that offer up an interesting mix of smiles-per-gallon driveability, comfort and rakish good looks as a first-generation Mazda MX-5. Alternative compact convertibles are few and it’s the MX-5 that led the pack towards the end of the last century.
It is hoped that the new keeper of this exceptional Mazda MX-5 will care for it in the manner to which it has evidently become accustomed. Indeed, there is little doubt that H1 JOP will serve its new – and only second – owner well for many years to come.
Notice to bidders
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