This 1991 Mazda Miata Special Edition is one of 4,000 cars made wearing special British Racing Green paint with unique tan leather interiors. This example has been owned by the seller’s father-in-law since 1998 and has just 3,057 original miles on the clock. The car is essentially driven to its annual smog check and put back in the garage, which sort of defeats the purpose of owning a driver’s car. Regardless, this one remains in mint condition and also comes with a factory hardtop. The seller notes it does not come with its original wheels but a set of attractive Panasports. Find it here on Miata.net (you may have to register to see more details, but I’ll do my best to summarize here) with an asking price of $21,883. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mike M. for the find.
It’s not uncommon to see these special or limited edition Miatas with time capsule mileage, but the irony is the window sticker shows the original owner paid just over $21K when the car was new, so if you factor in inflation, no great strides have been made value-wise by keeping it under lock and key. Now, I suppose you could own a few dozen cars and that’s the reason behind the low mileage, at which point the sale price likely doesn’t matter much to you. These were nicely optioned cars when new, fitted with the aforementioned unique leather interiors, custom Nardi wood shift knob and parking brake handle, a limited slip differential, chrome door sill plates, and more.
The interior obviously presents as new, and considering that butterscotch-colored leather is a key selling point of the model and that it can look quite weathered if not maintained, a collector will definitely appreciate getting into an SE with a perfect cabin. The headrests of the seats also featured integrated speakers so you don’t lose the tunes if the top is down, and I’m certain the speakers aren’t blown out. The seller notes some minor scuffing on the door sill plates is one of the only cosmetic flaws he can find, along with a modest ding and the need for a good cleaning after being stored underneath blankets for most of its life. Pictures are limited to what you see here, but there’s really not much to complain about given the high state of preservation on display.
The car was bought in 1998 from the original owners with 2,445 miles on the clock, and the current owner added a mere 612 miles in the last 22 years. Ironically, I had one of these in my family under very similar circumstances: my uncle bought my aunt a Special Edition (or “M Edition”, can’t remember which) for an anniversary and it basically sat in the garage for years, getting only occasional use. It had the same wood trim but stepped up to some polished wheels and a very pretty blue/green paint that seemed to change colors in the sun. Happily, that car was sold to a track day enthusiast who ended up turbocharging it and using it quite extensively on road courses in the Mid-Atlantic region. I doubt this time-capsule Miata will see the same fate. Would you drive it or keep it under wraps?
This won’t be a popular comment, but I think if I were in the market for one of these, I’d take my $22k and buy a brand new one for close to the same money.
Works for me. \So you have at least one up-vote.
I mean, neat car, etc., but not for this money. Drive it (what it was meant for) and it becomes a decreasingly low-mile sports car. Is it an appreciating collectible? Not yet, IMO, but I have been wrong before…
I agree as well. I’ve owned a few Miatas (Miatae?), and they’re all incredibly fun cars. They’re nothing short of a brilliant combination of the spirit of the Olde English roadsters with Japanese drivability and reliability. But if you want a car to actually drive, spending the same money on a nearly-new one would be what I would do.
But the Japanese car market is very funny these days. In some ways, shocking. A Datsun 240Z recently sold on BaT for $310,000!!! The original Acura NSXs have doubled to tripled in value over the past few years. With the stock market at an all-time high bubble valuation, lots of people are feeling rich (I wish I was one of them). Moreover, 30- and 40-something tech bros are coming into real money, and are going after the cars of their youth.
This Miata may well bring close to the asking price. But it depends what you want to do with it. For this money, the buyer will probably keep it as a ‘collector’s item’ with only infrequent use and adding few miles to it. With any ultra-low mileage car like this, the value plummets the more miles you put on it. But then, some people wouldn’t care about that, and would rather drive an almost-new 1991 Miata than a 2017 one for the same price.
No, don’t think so. This seems to be a beer drinking crowd. They could care less about a low powered sports car, just don’t bad mouth some ratty old muscle car. Then all their intolerance shows. I own a wonderful third gen Miata that I cherish, yet more then once some good ol’ boy in a 4X4 has called me a “girly man” for being seen in it.
Come on, people. Do we have to have divisiveness even among car enthusiasts? This country is already so bitterly divided and fragmented into ridiculous factions, often for silly reasons. We’re all here because we like cars. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to cars. Like vanilla and chocolate, beer and wine, just personal preferences. There are an infinite number of ways to have fun with wheels and engines, and they really are all good.
I personally drive a Mustang GT, a Subaru BRZ, and a Subaru WRX. I’ve enjoyed old air cooled VW’s and Miatas as much as a Z28. I’m in my 60’s. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks of what I drive, about whether a BRZ is ‘age appropriate’ or if Mustangs are for guys with mullets. The only person’s opinion you should care about is your own. We can respect and acknowledge that different things float everyone’s boats, and we can all enjoy what we drive at the same time we appreciate that other people enjoy other kinds of rides. Live and let live, and let’s all enjoy at least what we should have in common here, which is a love of cars (and other wheeled contraptions).
SMDA I drink beer.
As far as being called girlyman. Hopefully you don’t have a mullet. I mean that might explain it. :)
You might put some aggressive offset rims and an exhaust on your Miata. Maybe some laundry list or drift stickers on your back window. That would ward off the haters.
AMCFAN, your right as usual. Beer drinking crowd is a bit cliche, but I think you get my drift. Picture a balding 40 year old in a faded baseball cap in a four door pickup that is starting to rust even before he is done with the payments. Add in the loud illegal exhaust and the mind image is complete. That probably doesn’t have much to do with most of the participants here, but there seem to be a few that anytime you comment you prefer something besides what they adore, they get awful testy. As far as my cars appearance, no thank you, I like it just the way it is. If I let it overly bother me every time some Neanderthal barks, I would be pretty nervous, ya got to roll with the punches and smile back because it makes them cringe with impotence.
My thoughts exactly.
I concur and will state obvious that a non driven car makes future issues with belts, pumps , sensors plus hoses Etc.
I took in my late moms 2000 Camry (not in anyway a Miata) but kept about a two years prior selling to Car Max. It was 20k on clock and 17 years old driven by little old lady sitting last three years non driven. It finally ran good after all, belts, water pump and flushed cooling along with brake calipers cleaning new interior twice as it was musty sitting in a dry garage. The car also had all smog sensors swapped (one twice) to get dash 💡 off.
Just saying setting doesn’t help at all….
SMDA Agree with you on many points. No disrespect. I have had a lot of iron new and used and have been around cars all my life. A lot of what I comment on comes from personal experience. People don’t understand that in real life the cars they adore to others were a pos. There is good and bad in everything. They seem to take offense when you point it out.
You nailed the ball cap wearing pick up driving guy making payments while it’s still rusting out!
Trouble is the market remains soft on these in excellent shape with 60k or less miles. I see mint ones for asking prices of $7000.
*Asking. A sitting car without use is going to need much more attention to get road worthy as well.
I would MUCH prefer a well maintained lightly driven over the years one with a few miles on the clock. For waaaaaaay less, too.
me oughtta look atfor a something else
Sold our 1997 NA M edition with 129 actual miles and absolutely show room new for $29000 last year. This is definitely worth the money. The NA Miatas are only going up in value. Buy it, stash it, and make some $$$ on it. Keep it as a piece of art and don’t drive it. OR. Get yourself this new/old Miata and drive and enjoy it. Either way it’s a great car and even if you put 10-15 thousand miles on it it will still be worth $15k. Less depreciation than a brand new one.
Agree 100% with you Murry. Money to be made here. The NA Miatas are on fire now.
Mazda now has a restoration program exclusive in Japan. When we are talking restoration Mazda had Bridgestone make tires and went to great lengths to make oem 14″ . No pouring rubber in an old mold. There were none. They done it for the driving experience.
A garaged California car. Low mileage plus docs. the right colors and pop ups. This is the one!
If I were a Miata enthusiast then this Special Edition would appeal to me, but just speaking for myself I’d either want an old and cheap Miata to bang around town in with the top down occasionally, or I’d spend the money on a new one with all the perks and creature comforts that come with new car ownership.
Obviously you are not a Miata enthusiast. If you were you would at least have a clue what you were looking at and have an idea of the market.
You forget one of the perks with new car ownership is depreciation as mentioned.
Nothing old and cheap with a nice used Miata anymore. Many are rusted and beat. They are the choice of the younger set and champions of the autocross track. That is what makes this car a treasure. These were meant to be driven.
Come on, Tell us what you really think.
Well this one hasn’t been driven. Someone is going to pay a lot of money to either drive this one and depreciate it, or they are going to put it back on ice. Like I said l, I’m not a Miata enthusiast and I’m just giving my two cents for free while sipping a coffee on a Saturday morning. Last I checked one needn’t be an expert to have an opinion here on Barn Finds.
True. But at least do your homework first so you can make an educated opinion.
Very good. I’ll remember that next time Boomer
Trouble is the market remains soft on these in excellent shape with 60k or less miles. I see mint ones for asking prices of $7000.
*Asking. A sitting car without use is going to need much more attention to get road worthy as well.
I have the identical car except mine has 130000 miles, the drivers seat bolster is worn, the tonneau cover is worn, it has been repainted twice, the daisies have flaking paint, and it has the ‘sticky dash’ issue. Hehehe, maybe not identical looking, but identical driving fun. Miata’s are made to be driven and if they aren’t, then the best part of them is wasted. I hope someone buys this, makes it roadworthy and drives it like they stole it. They will get their money’s worth.
There’s a zillion better ways to spend $20k.
See, here is an example of my point. You have every right to say this, yet where are the people putting you down, telling you that car haters are not allowed here? Maybe because this site is populated by a great deal of high horsepower gear heads. They really don’t care about sports cars. Try saying that about some rusted out old Chevy or Mopar with a big price tag and see how welcome you are. I own a Miata, I feel just the opposite of you, yet in our great land, we all have the right to our opinions. I like reading all posts, this is a great site. Hope the intolerant ones don’t make me change my mind.
20k? For a higher end 91 Miata?
FFS!? Put that Crack Pipe Down Sllllooooowly.
I think I need to buy a $6000 primo one Stat if that thing Sells.
I don’t know why this thread went so far off the rails, nor can I understand all the anger and typecasting. I think a Miata is fine car. I WISH I had some disposable income to afford a beater, much less a fine example like this one. I’m a loyal Toyota owner and read barn finds more for the 70-80’s imports than anything else. Take your anger and hatred and bring it to the voting booth, we are just discussing cars here. Unreal
Well said, Bakyrd, don’t let it bother you. Some are just naturally angry little people.
I agree, I would put the $20k towards a new Miata that looks far better and has much more power. It’s a no-brainer.
I picked up a really nice ’97 Miata NA (last year-
of that body style) for a really good price.I figured that
if I waited,the price would go up.
These are great cars,but I our ’67 MGB GT,&
MG Midget are a lot more fun to drive.On the other hand,
the Miata is about 1/2 again bigger than the Midget,is much
easier to get in & out of,& makes the Midget look small.
Also,if you have a big ego,don’t buy a Miata – nobody
pays any attention to you when you drive one,although other
Miata drivers do wave (sometimes).
Only 4000 in this color combo? Every single one of them must be registered in Oregon, I see them every day.
Anyone know how to get ahold of the seller? I tried the forum and logged in but can’t comment or get his phone number.
Thank you
I actually googled the VIN and didn’t come up with a single ad on the car. It seems the only avenue right now is through the forum it’s posted on until/if it is listed for sale by another means.
I was selling this car for my 85 yo FIL, but ended up buying it myself….just couldn’t let this one slip away. I was supposed to go pick it up this week during the LGBGP but got Covidified. Hope to pick it up in the next 90 days.
Driving 1 of these low to the ground tiny cars(as well as a fiat x1/9,old lotuses & even a pinto) has got to be a nervewracking experience today with more & more tall suvs on the road each day, with drivers not being able to see & hitting pedestrians & slaming into buildings it seems everyday here locally, with the additional factor of distracted driving – digital dashes, texting, etc.
Joe I hope you’re feeling ok. You seem to be delusional.
That being said, I guess I’ll cancel my order for my 488 GTB.
Oh, wait. I think I could drive under one of those idiotic behemoths.
Nevermind.