It’s hard to think of many cars which were as well-judged on their debut as the Mazda MX-5. Reinventing the classic roadster formula in tandem with unburstable Japanese mechanicals and a hefty dose of style, it made an immediate impact in the UK, where convertible sales have long outstripped our European neighbours. The perfectly poised chassis and outstanding driving manners amplified the MX-5’s charm, and while subsequent generations have become more sophisticated, they arguably lack the Mark I’s purity.

This particular MX-5 is a sympathetically restored first-generation model from 1990, which has received significant mechanical refurbishments in recent years. It has a replacement timing belt, water pump and HT cables, with work having been carried out on the suspension as well. It retains the point-and-squirt road manners so beloved by MX-5 enthusiasts, and its 1.6-litre engine continues to rev freely.

The car’s bodywork appears to be in excellent order with no obvious dents or structural issues. The exterior has been resprayed in gloss white, with evidence of excess paint across the headlamps and arches, while the seven-spoke alloy wheels would benefit from restoration. Future owners will have the choice of a snug-fitting fabric roof or a separate hardtop, increasing this car’s year-round daily-driver credentials. 

While the interior has admirably withstood 35 years of use, there are obvious signs of wear across the replacement Momo steering wheel, switchgear and transmission tunnel storage. The seats have retained their original shape, but the fabric coverings would benefit from restoration or replacement. One welcome addition is the large Road Angel dashboard screen, which displays a high-resolution output from an aftermarket rear camera. Light restoration would complete this car’s renaissance, creating a highly desirable roadster with many years of service ahead of it.

BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..