Back in '97, I was in the market for a convertible. Mazda had just released the 2nd generation Miata. Its styling was very evocative of the departed FD RX-7 with graceful, soft lines. The early Japanese print media were given one in orange as the launch press car. Even Ford used it to represent Mazda in the commercial showing all their global brands.



When I saw it, I was in love. Sadly, the color called Evolution Orange Mica was not available here. Japanese car makers always reserve certain models for the home market. Disappointed, but not surprised. There was no hurry, so I decided to wait and see.

My patience paid off when Mazda USA made it available in the summer of '99 for model year Y2K. Back then, carsdirect.com had just started their online car buying concept and they helped me find one with the Sports package I wanted. I brought her home in December of '99, from a dealer 30 miles away with the top down. There was a light drizzle and I got wet, but I didn't care. I just bought my first new car and it was exactly the way I wanted.



Fast forward to today, she is still with me. I did my best to keep her safe through all these years, but she still bore a few scars from various misadventures. One that hurts most was when I ran into a CRV in 2012, and its tailpipe made a circular cutout on the bumper cover.



I had paint protection film applied on the hood and a vinyl adhesive cover placed on the headlights. After more than two decades, the film had dried and cracked. The headlight covers lost their adhesion and started trapping dirt, giving her "eyelids".

There were always other obligations that were more pressing, so I lived with her imperfections, still appreciating her other wonderful attributes.

Now I finally had the means to get her the help she deserves. I found the best reviewed local body shop, and told them to work their magic.

The front bumper had to be replaced due to the collision damage. The hood, both side mirrors, and the rear bumper were repainted. The PPF was painstakingly removed and the paint sanded from the hood:



BTW, that red car in the back under plastic is a Dino 308GT4:



If the owner entrusted them with a 40+ year old Ferrari, it’s a sure sign they know what they’re doing.

It took almost two weeks. Here are some side-by-side comparisons:









She practically looks brand new.



I was 27 years old when I met her. I'm 54 now. She's been with me for literally half my life.

I've driven much more powerful and modern cars. I still prefer an analog car that doesn’t do anything until I give the command. Just give me a light, simple, fun to drive car with an open top, a cool sunny morning with some twisty roads, and I am happy.

Great looking car, I've had a few Gold cars, 77 Camaro, 86 Corvette, they do stand out in a sea of White, Black and Grey dullmobiles....

The NB is still my favorite Miata
The Shinsen Edition would be the one I'd seek, but that gold/orange looks great.

If I got rid of my Midget, an clean NB2 would replace it.

Congrats! Beautiful restoration job.

The Miata is the best British sports car that the Japanese ever made.

Very nice car, but sorry, I got sidetracked when I saw the Dino.

That's great you kept that little car and have it looking like new again!

I bought a 1999 so same year Miata new. It was deep green with black interior and top. It was fun to drive but in nice weather I was on a motorcycle and the car was pretty loud inside so I sold it after 3 years since I wasn't using it much.

The car looks great. Congratulations. Enjoy the drive. I've passed, and been passed by, many Miatas on Portland Intl Raceway. It's a very solid track car.

quote:

Originally posted by Lunasee:
The car looks great. Congratulations. Enjoy the drive. I've passed, and been passed by, many Miatas on Portland Intl Raceway. It's a very solid track car.

If I had a bucket of money to play with, Spec Miata would be a blast.

Fantastic job! That is a real head turner! Enjoy it for many more years to come!

quote:

I bought a 1999 so same year Miata new. It was deep green with black interior and top.

I’ve always called that British Racing Green.

quote:

I was 27 years old when I met her. I'm 54 now. She's been with me for literally half my life.

I love that you have that connection with your car, particularly with a Miata.

Before long, I’ll be able to make that same “half my life” claim about my old Nissan.

Driven a lot of British Sports Cars, it took the Japanese to get it right. Love that color.

I have had three Miata’s, one was a 00’ in the same color. I tried to find a picture but no luck. We sold our last Miata, a 02’ in Icy Mist, last year.

In my mind the NB is the best sports car of all time.

Nice job! We have a '90 that I picked from the original owner in '97 with 34K miles. Great little car, although the optimal season here in Michigan is rather short. It does handle well dodging our ever present potholes.

Thanks for all the kind words. Totally agree the NB looks best with its timeless styling. That unique color definitely has a presence. I see people taking notice when I drive by, especially little kids. They would get wide-eyed and point it out to their parents.

I never warmed up to the NC. It feels heavier and less elegant. The current ND is excellent, but it no longer has that friendly face all the previous iterations possessed. Every time I walk up to mine, she looks like a giant gold fish smiling at me.

quote:

Originally posted by Rawny:
I see people taking notice when I drive by, especially little kids. They would get wide-eyed and point it out to their parents.

I never warmed up to the NC. It feels heavier and less elegant. The current ND is excellent, but it no longer has that friendly face all the previous iterations possessed. Every time I walk up to mine, she looks like a giant gold fish smiling at me.

Bolded: Best part of driving the Midget, have had kids hanging out of their windows to look at it.

Agree on the NC, never loved it like the NA/NB. Love the NDs I've driven, they're just still too pricey.
Hopeful the NE keeps the good things going...

Instead of the paint protection film, did you have the paint ceramic coated this time? It's supposed to be great at protecting your paint.

quote:

Every time I walk up to mine, she looks like a giant gold fish smiling at me.

If Toyota, with their current styling trends, made it, it would look like the Predator movie character fused with a largemouth bass.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
[QUOTE]Before long, I’ll be able to make that same “half my life” claim about my old Nissan.

Hmmm... I'm thinking either a Z, or a Frontier pickup. Am I close?