This is only the second 1991 Mazda Miata MX-5 Special Edition in British Racing Green we have featured here on Barn Finds. That first one had just 25,000 miles on it, but this one here has that one beat. This fun little green time machine has only 3,944 miles on the odometer. The seller states it’s “as original as it was when purchased new. Only the battery is not original.” I’m not sure how many of these 4,000 Special Editions left the factory with an automatic transmission (my guess is not many), but this one did. It’s located in Clovis, California and is for sale here on eBay. As of this writing, 10 bids had been placed, but the $17,069.69 top bid had not met the seller’s reserve. A special shout out to T.J. for spotting this Special Edition and sending it our way to feature.
Mike, the seller, doesn’t give us many details and history of his 31-year-old sports car has less than 4,000 miles on it. The photos (and photo setting) aren’t the best, and there are no engine bay photos. Based on the photos provided and low mileage, it does look like a new car. The iconic green paint looks very good and the matching hardtop has never been lifted off the car. The seller says the soft top has not seen the sun in 31 years and the tonneau and car cover are also included.
The interiors of these Special Editions are gorgeous, and the particular shade of tan (some call it butterscotch) selected is a perfect contrast to the British Racing Green paint. The leather seats, door panels, dash, Nardi-branded wood shift knob and wood handbrake grip all look great. Special Editions came equipped with such creature comforts including air conditioning, power windows, CD player, and cruise control. 1991 was the second model year for the Miata and the first year that buyers had the option of ordering an automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes. As I mentioned, this Miata was ordered with an automatic, which will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Hagerty’s estimates the Special Edition adds 20% to the value of a 1991 Miata, but it also estimates an automatic transmission lowering the value 20%. Having the factory hardtop adds $1,000 to the estimated value.
There are no photos of the engine, but this Special Edition didn’t have anything special added under the hood, as it has the standard 1.6L inline-four. But given the Miata’s light weight (around 2,100 lbs), and very good handling, these are fun cars to drive. I thought these BRG Special Editions were cool when they were offered in 1991 and sort of ironic as well. The Miata was an unexpected revival of the iconic British 2-seater roadsters of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Except this time around, they were more practical, refined, and most importantly, reliable. They were also very popular. In 1991, over 71,000 Miata’s were produced worldwide, 31,240 of those were sold in the U.S. And 4,000 of those were the BRG Special Edition like the mint condition example for sale here.
Nice car; silly miles. And Mazda is/ was the expert at creating a mystique of ‘special editions’ for just about every year of the Miata, like my 95M. The slushbox will make a difference +/- to the hardcore and yet some need the feature so as to enjoy the experience.
I just hope that the soft top has been exercised occasionally to keep it from crusting up in its’ cage.
I’ve only visually inspected the top. Looks and smells new.
A Miata with an automatic just isn’t right –
with a manual,it can be lots of fun to drive (fast).
I have a ’97,& wouldn’t have bought it,had
it been an auto.
On the other hand,I can’t drive mine for a while,
due to major hand surgery on my right (dominate) hand.
It’s not surprising that is has fewer than 4,000 miles. Who would want to drive a Miata with an automatic?
“it”, not “is”
Women ? lol
I have a buddy with a 2007 Miata and an auto. It is a six speed auto and it shifts faster than I ever could. All the performance is there, trust me. Of course, what is this, a 4 speed auto? I hope not a three.
It’s about the fun of driving a manual, not necessarily the performance. For many years now, it’s easy to have better performance in a drag car with an automatic, and they always had consistency as an advantage for bracket racing, but rowing a 4-speed on a classic muscle car through the gears just can’t be beat. Even more so, to me, with a sports car.
I agree with “The other Chris”. There is plenty of technology that has “improved the numbers”, but has detracted from the driving experience. To each his own. But I prefer light nimble cars with manual transmission. Quite frankly I don’t give a hoot about power steering, traction control, air conditioning, and all the other luxuries. For me, it is the raw interaction of man and machine. Don’t get the wrong impression, I not only love technology, but I create it. I am a senior development engineer. Happy Motoring.
Cannot remember which year. But I was looking forward to driving a rented Miata with the paddle shifters (actually a variant of their “sport-shift” automatic). Bad news, I was very disappointed in the performance, it is not a DSG. Good news, I am thankful for the rental experience that taught me that I did not want to buy that combination. Still wish that Mazda would have offered the RX8 rotary in a Miata. That would have been a perfect combination.
Exactly. The same goes with a Porsche.
“as original as it was when purchased new. Only the battery is not original.” – Gonna need tires asap.
The car sat in climate controlled environment for about 20 years so tires are okay to good, but I’d replace them for safety sakes! I’m the seller, btw, and lifelong car guy! If someone is a buyer, they can text or call me. My number is in the ad on eBay. Also listed locally through Craigslist. Thanks for highlighting the story and the auction.
With an automatic I am surprised it is already above 17K, however the miles are so low, and it is a Special Edition.
The person who buy this is going to treat it as a garage queen.. So who cares if it’s a manual or automatic?
Like the others I was going to say why would you own such a car for so long without experiencing the joy of driving it.? Then I saw the auto tranny. I love my NC but without the 6 speed H-pattern it would be pointless.
First year and a half (’90-first half of ’91) Miatas are prone to the crank nose bolt gremlin. Might want to check build date on this before bidding. I had a ’90 and went through 2 of them, even with the replacement improved bolt design. I did put 200K+ on it though and had a ton of fun…
I recently purchased a 2003 Miata, 1.8 fi, manual shift with identical interior and exterior colors. It is a base model but came with AC, Bose stereo system and alloy wheels. The car is a lot of fun to drive and if I lay off some of the fun stuff the car will get 34 mpg.
My only concern at this point is finding a quiet tread pattern to roll on. I get a lot of cabin noise with the tires on it presently.
These are fun little cars to buzz around in. Had a ’91 Convertible Silver one when i lived on Oahu back in the early ’90’s.
Never had any problems with it……in the time I had it.
it was Automobile Magazine’s Car of the year in 1990.
And Car & Drivers, Ten Best list just about every year in that time period.
I doubt i could out of one now…..well I could but it would be painful.
Seller should have taken the $17k and ran, that is all the money for a slushbox example.
Should have? The auction is still going on.
Back in 2009 I went to the volunteers of America car lot in Everett Washington searching for a car to tow behind our RV from what they had in stock at the time it was a choice between a Miata with 90k miles on it or a 96 Aspire with 11k miles both were under $2k at the time the miata only had the soft top I wound up choosing the Aspire because of the weight under 2,000 lbs I didn’t have to invest more money into a brake buddy and I didn’t have to invest more money into changing the timing belt right away. The Aspire turned out to be a dependable car. Gave it to our daughter in 2015 with 70 k miles on it most of it tow miles sometimes wonder how the Miata would have done
4.000 miles in 31 years meant the car just sat a lot. Not necessarily a good thing.
It’s been exercised for about 2,700 miles over the last six years and the battery was replaced a couple times. I’m the seller.
Selling it for practical reasons and it will fund two used Hondas for our two kids. That’s why we’re selling.
Agree with will irony and bill banter who cares if it’s an auto or prone to nose bolt problems this one will be a garage and trailer queen forever people who want this are only looking at potential $ end game investment
Vehicle is sold. Auction closed item no longer available.
Well, the museum that was going to buy the car has backed out.
The car will likely be detailed and listed on Bring a trailer. Just FYI.
Great car until I saw it is an automatic, what a bummer