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 n the early 1980's, Mazda started to seriously look to the future. A design competition was held between MANA (Mazda North America) and Mazda Tokyo to come up with the best idea for a sportscar.The Japanese worked on a front engine, front wheel drive (FF) version as well as mid engine, rear drive alternative (MR). MANA chose the front engine, rear driven (FR) concept for their model.The first comparisons between the competing teams took place in April 1984. The mid engine variety was scrapped and the two teams went back to the drawing boards. A few months later they met again to review their designs. |
The Japanese proposal was a coupe whereas the MANA car was a roadster with detachable hardtop. MANA argued hard for the roadster, explaining that the American market rely heavily on first impressions and that to most Americans a sportscar was equivalent with an open convertible. A coupe would at the best be viewed as a sporty model.The judges were won over and MANA won the competition with their front engine, rear wheel drive roadster. It was now late 1984.By September 1985 the first prototype was built. After an initial test drive in England where it had been built, the car was shipped to Santa Barbara, California. There they took it for a drive through the streets and the response was enormous.By 1986 plans were in full swing for a production model with the first car rolling of the production line in 1989. |
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