1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata Custom

Description

The Mazda Miata moved much of the enthusiast community near to tears when it was introduced in the fall of 1989 for the 1990 model year. Few thought we would ever see a British roadster re-imagined as a competent and dependable yet utterly charming automobile.  

Miata seemingly came out of nowhere, and suddenly it was everywhere you looked. Known globally as the MX-5, the Miata reinvented a vehicle segment in ways that its contemporaries like the Toyota MR2, the Australian Mercury Capri, and even the Pontiac Fiero never could. And, perhaps more importantly, it thrived. 

With the same DNA as the tremendously reliable Mazda 323, Miata MX-5s are capable of high mileage and dependable long-term service. With that said, the owner of this one has made numerous upgrades and modifications, including an extremely rare DAMD front-end conversion with custom lenses, essentially giving the Miata six headlamps. In order to create this look, the bumper cover was removed from a car in Japan, imported to the U.S., and was fitted and painted by Wisconsin’s Zero to 60 Garage, which restores cars for the Pebble Beach Concours.  

The consigner says that with the in-bumper lenses, this Miata is one of two in the U.S. “A lot of thought and attention has gone into this car. No expense has been spared, with more than $25,000 spent on top quality, ultra rare parts.” 

Highlights 

• Powered by a 1.8 liter inline-four engine rated at 133 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, mated to five-speed manual transmission 

• Engine parts replaced/installed since 2022: 

  • Cam angle sensor and cam angle sensor O ring 

  • Valve cover gasket 

  • Cam seals 

  • Spark plugs 

  • Spark plug leads 

  • Front main seal 

  • Timing belt 

  • Water pump 

  • Timing tensioners and idlers 

  • Timing covers 

  • Thermostat 

  • Water temp sensor 

  • New injectors with ITBs 

  • Intake and exhaust gasket 

  • New OEM catalytic converter 

  • New battery (less than 100 miles ago)

• Modifications to engine, body, and interior since 2022: 

  • DAMD front bumper cover featured in Roadster Bros Vol 21 

  • Garage Hundred-One racing ducktail wing  

  • Zoom gas cap 

  • 14x7+19 Enkei RPF1 aluminum wheels with 205/55R14 Nitto Nt01 tires  

  • Tein Flex Z coilovers 

  • Eibach front and rear sway bars 

  • Runabout side mirrors 

  • Exhaust: Racing Beat exhaust manifold, OEM MagnaFlow Catalytic Converter, Pitcrew Racing center exit car back system 

  • Zoom center console  

  • Vintage-style knurled aluminum shift knob 

  • P2M checkered floor mats 

  • MOMO Mod 78 320mm steering wheel with Daikei hub 

  • Advanced Autosports NACA duct quarter window 

  • RevLimiter gauge faces 

  • Upgraded door speakers; radio and Kenwood amplifier not currently installed but included with car 

  • Carbon Trix Tombstone with RevLimiter hazard switch 

  • Jenvey individual throttle body kit  

  • 440cc injectors 

  • AEM Fuel Pressure Regulator 

  • Vacuum block setup from Built By Hutch and Will Thompson, with Vivid Racing quick release fittings 

  • Adjustable cam gears 

  • Oil catch can  

  • Custom throttle tension bracket by Built By Hutch and consigner  

  • Son of Cobra 65mm fiberglass intake stacks 

  • ITG filter and backing plate 

  • MS3PRO ECU dyno tuned by Lindgren Supercars 

  • AEM AFR mounted in glove box 

  • 5X Racing A/C delete kit 

  • Toda Racing adjustable cam gears 

  • Toda Racing performance timing belt 

  • Fluidmpr ATI damper 

  • OEM water pump, replaced in the last 200 miles 

  • Timing system overhauled with all OEM parts within last 200 miles 

  • New valve cover gasket, front intake, and exhaust cam seals and front main seal 

  • Mishimoto cooling hoses

Features 

• Two-door, RWD roadster 

• Bucket seats 

• Four-spoke steering wheel 

• Factory cassette and CD stereo linked to headrest speakers 

• Power windows 

• Dual airbags 

• Instrument cluster includes 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature gauges 

• This 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered with the six-digit odometer showing 77, 720 miles at the time of listing 

Known Imperfections 

• Front-end collision damage 12 March 1988 and 7 April 1998 

• Paint chip under the license plate 

• Two small dimples in the driver side fender 

• No power brakes on the car — manual brakes only, as the booster is not connected after the ITB install 

Included Parts 

• Kenwood Amp and head unit 

• Chrome truck lid luggage rack 

• Lotus Elise S1 bucket seats 

• Two sets aluminum intake stacks  

• OEM tombstone 

• Various OEM parts that came off the car, if buyer would like them 

• Used Hankook race slicks 205/55r14 

Ownership History 

According to the accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report, this 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata STO edition currently resides with its fourth owner. The car was originally titled 2 September 1997 in Boca Raton, Florida. CARFAX reported two front-end collisions, on 12 March 1998 and 7 April 1998. The Miata was sold twice (10 October 2000 and 7 April 2008) before its fourth owner purchased it 4 August 2020 and registered it in De Pere, Wisconsin. The car’s current owner has changed the oil every 1,000 miles (full synthetic oil and an OEM Mazda oil filter) and says he regularly hand washes and details the car, rotates the tires, and cleans the wheel wells and suspension components.