NEWS: Parts from Mazda’s Roadster Restore program in Japan are coming to the US

Mazda’s headline at Chicago Auto Show was all about the 30th Anniversary Edition Miata — and its subsequent selling out four hours later — but CEO Masahiro Moro buried an even more exciting Miata revelation in the press conference. Mazda will be bringing the official reproduction parts developed in the Japanese Roadster Restore program to the US. NA Miata owners, rejoice!

“At Mazda, when our fans talk, we listen and we respond,” Moro proclaimed. “For those who still own the first-generation MX-5 Miata we are very happy to announce the sale of additional restoration parts for the original MX-5 Miata NA in the US.”

“Several thousand parts are currently available through our dealer network,” said Moro, referring to the existing database of parts that are still in production. “Our fans can be reassured that additional parts, identified by owners and specialty shops, will become available by June of this year.”

In Japan, you can actually take your entire Roadster in and get it restored, from body and paint to an engine rebuild. It doesn’t sound like that’s the case in the US; it’s just the parts that will become available.

Mazda didn’t detail exactly which parts, but in Japan they include official reproductions of the original 14 x 5.5J +45 wheels, their center caps, and even the Bridgestone SF 325 185/60 R14 tires, as well as the optional Nardi wood steering wheel and shift knob, floormats, label set, and the fabric convertible top. We’ll have to wait and see which ones make their way stateside.

Mazda has become the first Japanese automaker to offer a classic restoration program like this in the US (Nissan had a brief period in which they sold fully restored 240Zs, but that was a different proposition). What’s really heartwarming about this program, though, is Mazda’s stated reason for doing it.

“With this expanded initiative, we continue supporting roadster culture by prolonging the life of the NA model. We know how much all of this will mean to our long-term loyal fans,” Moro explained. “We look forward to seeing these historic vehicles on the road and on the track for years to come.”

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13 Responses to NEWS: Parts from Mazda’s Roadster Restore program in Japan are coming to the US

  1. Ylee says:

    Nice!!! (With a Mike Tyson accent)

  2. Yuri says:

    Nissan still makes a surprising amount of parts for the S30Z. I’m always amazed when I order something and it shows up in a Nissan box with a build date within the last couple years.

    C’mon Toyota, help out the AE86 owners…

    • Mark F Newton-John says:

      Sorry, I doubt that Toyota will do anything about old Corollas. There are too few to make it even worthwhile, compared to the Miata. You still see those on the road while you don’t see almost any other 20-year old Toyota, except for Camrys, and no one is going to seriously bother with restoring one.

      • Bob says:

        I have had some random luck finding reproduction 1st gen Celica bits Toyota quietly reproduced 10+ years ago. The supply seems to have dried up, but it happened. Weatherstripping, badges, I got Japanese spec fender mirrors, etc. I don’t know what the AE86 market is like though, haven’t owned one.

  3. Mark F Newton-John says:

    I can see why Mazda is doing this for the Miata, rather than the RX-7. SInce most if not all running RX-7s have been modified, and most Miatas are still relatively stock, it was a better business decision. Although I think Mazda should sell crate rotary engines to replace all the non-rebuildable ones that have been blown up…

  4. Negishi no Keibajo says:

    My partner and her NA is squarely in the market for this program. She was about to embark on a respray and restoration but this changes everything.

  5. Kevin Burns says:

    Now if we can get Toyota to offer restoration parts for their classic two seater from this era the AW11 MR2, I will be one happy customer too.

  6. Spirit Road says:

    Roadster life is gonna be pretty cool moving forward! 🙂

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