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The Alaska Miata Club website is owned by the AKMC.


Owning a couple Miatas and joined the local club not enough for you? Do you find yourself wanting to make everything Miata related? Miata shirt, Miata watch, Hot Wheels Miata? Do you dig deep to find facts about how the Miata was created, who created it, and what the future will hold? Or maybe, you can't buy a Miata yet? Or you are looking for something for a Miataholic? Well this section is for you! Welcome to the hobby world of Miata.

Miata History

(Dates and some details vary from internet stories, articles, and from this video.)
We honor 3 Fathers of the Miata, Mr. Bob Hall, Mr. Tom Matano, and Mr. Toshihiko Hirai. Yes, there was a whole team. I will add and give special mention to others as time goes by.

In Spring of 1978, Bob Hall was an automotive journalist for Motor Trend who spoke Japanese. Was asked by the Mazda head of R&D what they should build next. Bob answered, "A small open two-seater." Bob drew a rude and crude sketch in 1979 which looked like a Chrysler LeBaron convertible. Bob Hall's phrase is "Smiles per gallon." and If you can't go fast with 90 hp then 900 hp won't help you."


Hired by Bob Hall in 1982, Mark Jordan was part of the design team from LWS (Light Weight Sportscar), to OGG (Offline 55), all the way to P729(Production 729). He designed a Yellow NA called the Club Racer to show what the aftermarket could do to a base Miata.



Tsutomu "Tom" Matano was called in 1983 from BMW to pen the shape and design of the NA body with the MANA California design team. In 1986 the project was coded P729 and had three designs. An FF, MR, and FR design. Tom had to explain to Mazda that the Miata is like running shoes you can wear to run around the block.


If that doesn't impress you he also designed the FD and the NB. Just take a look at the doors on both cars



I am injecting this factoid to remember Mr. Shunji Tanaka. He was Chief designer of the interior and exterior designer of the NA Miata. He was the one that changed the design for the NA to look more like a Noh mask. Tom's first design looked like a mini Corvette front end and was too muscular. Mr. Tanaka is credited with bigger intake mouth, smaller door handles, art inspired rear taillights, lower hoid, shorter wheelbase, and relocation of battery in the rear. Most of these changes went through too late for the California team to change. Mr. Tananka died Dec 21, 2021 at the age of 75. .


We give Mr. Toshihiko Hirai credit because he was the official project lead for the NA in 1986 and the FD later on. He had a fish bone diagram of the 5 essential things the Miata had to do

1. Connection with ones surrounding
2. Proper exhaust sound
3. Engaging shifter
4. Connection between drivetrain and chassis and
5. Conversation between chassis and road.
Mr. Hirai used the Jinba Itai phrase. Oneness of horse and rider. Toshihiko Hirai passed away April 2023. He signed 13 AKMC Miatas, dubbed the Lucky 13, in 2006.

Miata T-Shirts

Where do I get Miata shirts?

Cafepress
Zazzle
(Hawaiian Themed)
(Bunch of Cartoony Miata ones if you scroll down)
(Eunos Shirt)
(Sweet Japan Looking German Made Shirt in Euros)



Choro Q


Neko Works NA

Tomica Garage filled with Miatas

Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage with Miatas


Hot Wheels NA

Click here to learn how to customize your Hot Wheels Miatas.


Tomica NA Red and Limited


Johnny Lightning NB


Tomica NC
 


Tomica ND red and black


Hot Wheels NDs


Matchbox NDs


Disney MIA and TIA in all three paint schemes


Tamiya RC NA


This is the third time Tamiya has sold a NA Miata; each release was with a new chassis design.

The first time it was released, it used the RWD M-02 chassis, which only had a single horizontal shock at each end which directly connected the left to the right control arms. It is the only one to be released with the OEM alloy wheels of the NA8, which makes sense since it was released in 1994.

The second release was in 2004, which dropped to OEM wheels, but included the new M-04 RWD chassis with fully independent suspension.

The latest version's big change is that it is using the M-06 chassis, which is a "tub" design to position the battery longitudinally for improved handling, as opposed to the open box frame, lateral battery, of the previous models. The standard kit still comes with the same 540 brushed motor, bushings (not bearing), and friction shocks.


Tamiya RC ND


Toshima Red NA Pedal Car


1999 10th Anniversary Edition Gift Set

(More Miata toys)

Miata Murphy's Laws

1. When you finally buy a Miata you find a better and cheaper one for sale. (all)
2. The ONE time you leave the top down and it rains. (Mike)
3. When you turn your Miata in for service or you break it out for maintenance you miss an epic, record breaking event. (Chris and Mike)
4. When you shop for months on the internet. Fly down to the Lower48, buy a Miata, and drive it all the way back to Alaska. Only to find that you have to move for a job opportunity back to the Lower48 where you bought the car in the first place. (Kevin)
5. You buy a Miata because you thought it was a fast car and then meet all your car buddies with really fast cars. (Youngins)
6. When you have a record matching attendance of Miatas but are still missing that 1 NC to break the record and get a generation picture. lol
7. You sell your Miata and regret it everytime you see the new member driving it in a caravan with that stupid grin on his face. (Vember)
8. When Mr. Hirai signs your trunk and you either crash your Miata, sell your Miata, or a semi runs into the trunk and rear of your signed Miata. (John, Kazue, and Marilyn)
9. You fly back home to Australia and bring your Miata with you. You do a right-hand drive conversion because that is the law where you live. After the conversion you marry and live with your wife where left hand drive is allowed. (Bruce)
10. When you plan all year for Mazda's 100th Anniversary and then Corona! (Mike)

What are wrong with these pictures?

1) They hooked up the Miata wrong for a dyno run.
2) This is not a peace sign.
3) Painted the plastic part yellow near A pillar.

Miata Memes