The first-gen Mazda MX-5 is one of the most important sports cars of all time. And while its lightweight and agile chassis is almost unique right now, it’s actually inspired by the 2-seat roadsters that British manufacturers such as MG used to make.
Growing up in the 1990s, an NA MX-5 looks pretty retro and classy to me. Maybe that’s why the value of these relatively modern roadsters has skyrocketed. Pop-up headlights definitely make it cute in an old-fashioned kind of way.
However, there’s a way to combine the original Miata and the MGB Roadster appearance from 50 years ago. To do that, you need a special kind of body kit. A company called Pitcrew makes this special front end that fits the NA Mazda MX-5, meaning the one that was made from 1989 to 1997 (not the model years).
As you can probably tell from the photos, the front layout is now completely different. The fenders and bumper are one-piece, like back in the days before crash protection. However, it’s obviously not made from metal.
We were almost fooled into thinking this is an NC (3rd-gen) Miata. Why? Because the hood is rounded and has a power dome. The NA MX-5 hood would be square with rectangles cut out for the pop-up headlights.
And while the Pitcrew front end starts from $3,000, this Miata obviously costs way more money to build. For example, it’s been fitted with some retro-looking wheels, a hardtop, and some new taillights. Miata owners love custom leather and trunk spoilers too. But probably the best feature of Keith Law‘s “Retro Burgundy” Pitcrew Miata is the paint.
It’s an actual Miata color that was quite popular in later models. Other Mazda cars in the 2000s were also popular in this deep burgundy red shade. Of course, retro sports cars also boasted such a shade. It was prominent on Lotuses and on the MGBs of the 1970s.
