Mazda Classic Cars

The car that revived the affordable roadster and proved simple, light, and fun beats horsepower.

Launched for 1990, the Miata (badged MX-5 outside North America) was Mazda's modern take on the classic British roadster — light, simple, and rear-wheel drive, but built with Japanese reliability the old British sports cars never offered. It single-handedly revived the small roadster segment and remains the best-selling two-seat convertible in history.

The rotary-powered sports car that proved Mazda could build a genuine giant killer.

Introduced for 1979, the RX-7 used Mazda's Wankel rotary engine to deliver a light, high-revving sports car experience distinct from its piston-powered rivals. Across three generations spanning nearly two decades, it evolved from a simple, affordable sports car into the twin-turbo FD — widely regarded as one of the best-handling Japanese cars of its era.