NO RESERVE 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition 1.8L
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1991
- Make: Mazda
- Model: MX-5 Miata
- VIN: JM1NA351XM1222972
- Mileage Shown: 174,646
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: British Racing Green
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Los Angeles, CA 90026
- Lot #: V-0048019
One of approximately 4,000 examples produced for the U.S. market, this 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a Special Edition finished exclusively in British Racing Green over tan leather upholstery. It features a wooden Nardi shift knob and handbrake lever, stainless-steel door sills, headrest speakers, air conditioning, cruise control, and an upgraded 1.8-liter DOHC inline-four NB engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Said to be a lifelong Southern California car, this Special Edition NA Miata is now being offered for auction with approximately 175k miles on the odometer.
All Miata Special Editions come finished in British Racing Green with a black convertible soft top and a tan tonneau cover. Equipment includes pop-up headlamps, body-colored mirrors, a single exhaust outlet, chrome door handles, and 14” Daisy alloy wheels dressed in new Hankook tires. Noted imperfections include minor scratches and dings around the exterior. A new tan soft top was installed in 2017. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin features tan leather seats with a matching lower dashboard and door panels complemented by a black upper dashboard and center console. Accessories include a black four-spoke steering wheel, stainless-steel door sills, headrest speakers, a wood Nardi shift knob and handbrake, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, and an aftermarket radio. The seller notes some wear on the lower seat bolsters.
This MX-5 has been upgraded with a larger 1.8-liter DOHC inline-four engine derived from an NB-generation Miata. The engine was installed using a Flyin’ Miata conversion kit and drives the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. Standard equipment includes independent double wishbone suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, and four-wheel disc brakes. The seller states all maintenance is up to date.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, a toolkit, a spare tire, and a clean title. The seller adds that this car is not for sale to buyers in California.
The seller would like you to know: This is a 1991 Mazda Miata Special Edition number 727 of 4000 all of which were British Racing Green with Tan Interior. The placard lists child actor (in 1991) Jarrett Lennon as the original purchaser. I recently made contact with Jarrett and he relayed that he has often wondered what happened to the Miata. He shared with me that as a child actor, he was too young to drive any car! His mother was fond of the Miata when it came out and had said if it ever came in British Racing Green with Tan Interior, she would buy one! Well, it happened and when it did she put Jarrett's name on the placard. The car was purchased from a Mazda Dealer in Santa Clarita, CA. Jarrett's mother drove the car for approximately 11 years and 84k miles before giving the Special Edition to Jarrett in March of 2000. At this time Jarrett was facing challenges with his young family and didn't have much time for the Miata, and he eventually sold it on Craigs List in February of 2007. The third owner had the Miata for 7 months and it is believed the Flyin' Miata NA to NB engine conversion was performed under this ownership. In April 2009 the current owners acquired the Miata and drove it until 2018 when they put it in storage and moved to England thinking they would come back. The world had other plans for them, and it is now serviced and ready for its next owner! This Miata has always been registered in Southern California!”
Auction Results
- Sold for: $4,500
- Auction End: Sep 03, 2024 08:08:22PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 10
Attachments
Comments (42)
What a deal! I wish I had room for another car. I wish I had a warehouse!
Sold for $4,500
Congrats @MyNextDreamCar, I'll reach out to you shortly! Thank you to all the bidders and commenters!
Bid in the amount of $4,500
Bid in the amount of $4,250
Bid in the amount of $4,000
Pointing out this Miata had $2500 in services in preparation for sale!
Bid in the amount of $3,750
Know your bids count! This Miata is no reserve so it will sell today! Get in there and bid if you want it!
All DM's replied!
Pop Up Headlight Functionality Video added as requested....
Bid in the amount of $3,500
Bid in the amount of $3,000
Bid in the amount of $2,500
Bid in the amount of $750
Happy Labor Day to all! All Dm's replied, feel free to reach out via the "Contact Seller" button.
@agu22 - There is nothing in the suspension that requires refreshing at this time.
I should have been more clear in my first comment but I’d also like to know which parts of the suspension have been refreshed? If nothing I’d assume that’s at least a couple thousand in work
@agu22 - My pleasure. Suspension is all OEM. Tires are brand new with 150 miles on them, you can see the invoice from 3 weeks ago in image 138 in the gallery. I do not have measurements ont he brake pads at this time.
Ok appreciate you answering. Is the suspension oem miata? Also do you have readings on tire tread and brake pad life?
@Dluxor1 -Pasting my response to this question from below: "The owners left the country thinking they would return and did not put the car on Planned Non Operation. As a result there are outstanding registration fees but they DO NOT follow the Miata when it is titled and registered out of the state of California." There is no evidence of paintwork and the MX-5 has a clean Carfax.
Is there a reason it hasn’t been registered in so long? I believe there may be some back fees associated with it even if someone were to register it out of state. What paintwork has been done on the car?
agu22 - Clutch functions to spec, no records of last change of disc etc. The clutch slave and clutch master were replaced about 3000 miles ago. Coolant system was just service and everything is functioning to spec, nothing outstanding. Yes the pop up headlights function perfectly. I have a video which I am sure Pcar will upload after the long weekend.
Also do the pop ups function normally?
Hi do you know when the clutch was last done? Also what’s the status of the coolant expansion tank/water pump?
All DM's replied. Feel free to us the "Contact Seller" button at the top of the page or ask questions here.
Dang. Someone is going to get a good deal… I don’t have the time to deal with those hoops. Good luck with the sale
@2mAn - Great question. This Miata would probably pass most visual inspections but unfortunately it was previously flagged for "failing Inspection". For this reason the Miata is not for sale in California. The owners left the country thinking they would return and did not put the car on Non Operation. As a result there are outstanding registration fees but they DO Not follow the Miata when it is titled and registered out of the state of California.
Also, looks like the registration is over 5 years expired. Does it have back-fees or is it on non-op?
@Stunt_Road Have you tried to smog it with the 1.8L The smog person may not notice it has a 1.6 in place of a 1.8
Bid in the amount of $500
@Dluxor - Yes it has a catalytic converter an d there is no Check Engine Light on.
I see does it have a catalytic converter?
@Dluxor1 - It may pass smog, but it would need to go to Referee to certify the engine swap is compliant. That is both a lengthy and uncertain process thus not for sale in California.
You say it’s not for sale in California, does that mean it doesn’t pass smog?
Posting Video of: 1991 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA SPECIAL EDITION W/Flyin' Miata NA to NB Engine Swap - Drive By 1: https://youtu.be/CaAiN5XA7XE
Thank you por356c! All DM's replied. Feel free to reach out via the "Contact Seller" button.
Sorry - a better look at the picture clearly shows the exterior defects - and they are entirely expected on a car of this vintage. GLWA!
@Stunt_Road - thanks for the info. Since I live in Michigan, that won't be a problem for me! Thanks for that summary of the post-storage maintenance - exactly what I was hoping to learn. How would you rate the exterior condition - are there lots of dings, scratches, dents or that kind of stuff?
@por 356 - There is no paper trail on how many miles are on the engine. Previous owner told current owners that the replacement engine had 60k miles and they had the Miata from 131k to 151k miles. That would make at most 103k miles on the motor however there is no paperwork to support this. Everything works on the car and there is zero rust on this Miata as it has been registered in Southern California its entire life. You can see the Invoices for recent work in the gallery images 48, 50 and 53. To summarize: Fuel Pump, Fuel Filter, Clean Fuel Lines, Drain fuel, New Battery, Coolant Flush, Remove and Replace Thermostat and Thermostat Housing, Evacuate and Recharge AC System, and 4 New Tires installed. One Item to note is that due to the engine swap this Special Edition Miata is not for sale in California.
Hello - I realize that this Miata has 174k miles on it, but is there any idea of how many miles were put on since the 1.8L was installed? Also, does everything work, A/C, radio, wipers, etc? Please advise of anything that does not work properly. Any rust that we don't see? After such along storage, what was done to make it roadworthy? Thanks.
Bid in the amount of $250