12th Oct, 2008 14:45
Haynes International Motor Museum
1991 Mazda MX-5 1.6 Le Mans
Estimated at £3,000 - £4,000
Lot details
Registration No: J42 KFP
Chassis No: JMZNA18B200122026
Mot Expiry: Aug 2009
The Mazda MX-5 was a classic world-beater from its launch at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989. Far more than a larger copy of the Lotus Elan, it was blessed with excellent handling from its all-wishbone independent suspension, an almost unburstable engine and fantastic reliability - along with that all-important 'fun factor' the team of designers, working in competition between California and Japan, and with later help from IAD in Worthing, had carefully engineered into the car. The design credo Mazda used in the MX-5's development was the phrase 'Jinba ittai', loosely translated as 'rider and horse', to capture a togetherness between car and driver. One of its unique features was the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine and gearbox to the differential, minimizing flex and contributing to its responsive handling. Originally available with a 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine, looking uncannily like the classic twin-cams built in the '60s by Lotus and Alfa Romeo, a 1.8-litre engine was available from 1994. The MX-5 was updated into 'Mk2' form in 1997, losing its pop-up headlights, and superseded by the completely redesigned Mk3, on a different platform, in 2005.
Mazda built a total of 431,506 MX-5 Mk1s, but only 22 of this special edition, built to celebrate Mazda's Le Mans 24-hours win in 1991 by Britain's own Johnny Herbert, and emulating his 787B Group C racer's livery. At least three were resprayed back into 'normal' colours, one before it left the dealer. All cars had the 152bhp BBR turbo engine, side skirts and spoilers, plus 61/2Jx15 alloy wheels, green-piped black leather seats, power steering, CD player and an alarm system. All were supplied with a certificate of authenticity, which this car still has. This car has had one driver from new and its Mazda dealer service record shows 22 stamps up to September 2006 at 105,762 miles, plus there are all invoices from new and all MOT certificates. The vendor describes the car as being in "very good overall' condition, adding: "It really is in superb condition and must be one of the nicest left".
Registration No: J42 KFP
Chassis No: JMZNA18B200122026
Mot Expiry: Aug 2009
The Mazda MX-5 was a classic world-beater from its launch at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989. Far more than a larger copy of the Lotus Elan, it was blessed with excellent handling from its all-wishbone independent suspension, an almost unburstable engine and fantastic reliability - along with that all-important 'fun factor' the team of designers, working in competition between California and Japan, and with later help from IAD in Worthing, had carefully engineered into the car. The design credo Mazda used in the MX-5's development was the phrase 'Jinba ittai', loosely translated as 'rider and horse', to capture a togetherness between car and driver. One of its unique features was the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine and gearbox to the differential, minimizing flex and contributing to its responsive handling. Originally available with a 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine, looking uncannily like the classic twin-cams built in the '60s by Lotus and Alfa Romeo, a 1.8-litre engine was available from 1994. The MX-5 was updated into 'Mk2' form in 1997, losing its pop-up headlights, and superseded by the completely redesigned Mk3, on a different platform, in 2005.
Mazda built a total of 431,506 MX-5 Mk1s, but only 22 of this special edition, built to celebrate Mazda's Le Mans 24-hours win in 1991 by Britain's own Johnny Herbert, and emulating his 787B Group C racer's livery. At least three were resprayed back into 'normal' colours, one before it left the dealer. All cars had the 152bhp BBR turbo engine, side skirts and spoilers, plus 61/2Jx15 alloy wheels, green-piped black leather seats, power steering, CD player and an alarm system. All were supplied with a certificate of authenticity, which this car still has. This car has had one driver from new and its Mazda dealer service record shows 22 stamps up to September 2006 at 105,762 miles, plus there are all invoices from new and all MOT certificates. The vendor describes the car as being in "very good overall' condition, adding: "It really is in superb condition and must be one of the nicest left".
Auction: Haynes International Motor Museum, 12th Oct, 2008
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