Few sports cars have inspired as much creative reinvention as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. With more than a million units sold since its 1989 debut and four generations on the road, the little roadster has become the go-to donor car for builders who want a lightweight, affordable, and endlessly adaptable platform. The results range from retro-styled coach-built beauties to full-on EV conversions — proof that the Miata’s appeal stretches well beyond the showroom floor. Below, we take a look at some of the most compelling restomods, kit cars, and EV conversions based on the Miata. Whether you’re after a track-ready weapon or a vintage-inspired work of automotive art, there’s a Miata conversion out there for you.
Rocketeer
We start our list with a British Miata restomod that is making its way to the States. Rocketeer Cars, a UK-based restomod company, is bringing three different variations of its Miata-based project to the US. One is called the MXV6, which replaces the Miata’s four-cylinder engine with a 3.0-liter V6 that produces between 280 and 375 hp.
Details on the other two creations being brought to America remain scarce, though we do know that one will be based on the Miata’s third-generation NC model, and that the other will be called the Rocketeer Keiryō (Japanese for “lightweight”). As the name suggests, the Keiryō is all about weight reduction, tipping the scales at just 1,870 pounds.
Rocketeer recently introduced the V6 version of the NC, widely believed to be the least loved of the four Miata generations.
Mitsuoka Rockstar
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s a Corvette! Well, not quite. This curious conversion takes the ND Miata and transforms it into something that looks remarkably like the second-generation (C2) Corvette Stingray. Japanese firm Mitsuoka accomplished this through a series of custom fiberglass body panels that replace most of the original car’s bodywork. The only original components retained are the windshield, doors, and side mirrors.
The Rockstar is a limited-edition creation, with only 50 units — all right-hand-drive — built in total. As a result, you’ll likely need a stroke of luck on the used market to get your hands on one.
Healy Enigma
No, that is not a typo. Rather than drawing inspiration from America and the Corvette, we travel to England for a bizarre modern interpretation of a classic Austin-Healey. The product of a collaboration between the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation and the Donald Healey Motor Company, Austin-Healey was active for two decades, from 1952 to 1972.
The Enigma is built by UK-based Healy Designs, and modifies a third-gen (NC) Miata to incorporate classic Austin-Healey styling cues — while dropping a vowel somewhere along the way. These include large, rounded headlights and a retro oval grille. Under the hood, the original engine has been swapped for a Lexus-sourced 4.0-liter V8.
GBS Zero
Another UK-based creation: the GBS (Great British Sports Cars) Zero. This stripped-down track toy may not bear much resemblance to the Miata, but it is based on the model’s early generations, with conversion kits available for both the NA and NB models.
The Zero is a great option for drivers who enjoy working on their own cars. GBS’s offering for North American customers is a self-build kit, shipped over in a crate and including components such as bodywork, wheels, and suspension. The final result answers the question: “What if the Caterham Seven was based on the Miata?”
Bauer Catfish
Bauer Limited takes a different approach to turning the Miata into a track-ready machine. In terms of design, the Catfish isn’t quite as dramatically distant from the original as the GBS Zero. However, it’s still nothing like a stock Miata — all the body panels have been replaced, and the interior is entirely new, with racing bucket seats completing the package.
The Bauer Catfish has been around for well over a decade, having first been revealed in 2012. New examples are no longer available, but this rare machine does surface occasionally on the used market and at auction, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
Electrogenic
EV conversions are all the rage in the restomod world, and the Miata is no exception. Global EV specialist Electrogenic offers an EV conversion for the first-generation (NA) Miata that retains the car’s character and essence while transforming it into a zero-emissions machine.
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Electrogenic has a strong track record with EV conversions, having applied the same treatment to the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar E-Type, among others. The Miata kit boosts power to 160 hp, while torque (229 lb-ft) is more than doubled compared to the stock NA Miata. The result is a 0–60 mph time cut down to six seconds, compared to the original NA Miata’s 8.6-second run.
Hurtan Grand Albaycin
Another retro-inspired creation: the Grand Albaycin, made by Spanish coachbuilder Hurtan. Based on the fourth-generation (ND) Miata, it adds a unique retro-futuristic character. The design draws inspiration from the period between the 1930s and the 1960s, blending elements from different eras into a single cohesive package with a modern twist.
The Miata’s original engine lineup is left untouched, but the interior has been completely redone with a two-tone color scheme that echoes the exterior and an abundance of premium materials including leather and wood. The Grand Albaycin had a very limited production run and commanded a high price — approaching the $80,000 mark — making examples both rare and expensive to track down today.
Blackwell SPR1
This intriguing kit car is the brainchild of UK-based firm Blackwell, founded by a former employee of brands including Lotus and Caterham who drew inspiration from the world of British sports cars. The SPR1 blends the Miata with design elements borrowed from an unusual source: the TVR Sagaris. The Sagaris is a little-known, limited-run model of which only 211 examples were produced between 2005 and 2006.
Blackwell uses the NA Miata as a base, building fiberglass body panels in-house to transform it into a Sagaris lookalike. The taillights, meanwhile, are sourced from Volkswagen. While most of the modifications are cosmetic, mechanical upgrades such as turbo kits and engine swaps are also available.
Xenex Speedster
Florida-based aftermarket company Xenex Motorsport sells a body kit for the first-generation (NA) Miata called the MX-Speedster. The MX-Speedster runs without a roof and features a small windshield; the company recommends wearing a helmet when driving at speed. The distinctive speedster “humps” behind the seats complete the look.
A more expensive version of the package adds further elements such as an exhaust, wheels and tires, and interior features including Apple CarPlay and custom gauges. While most kits are installed on cars with a stock engine, some V8-powered MX-Speedsters have been built as well — ideal if you want one of the wildest Miata builds out there.
Sarasota Super Sport Miata SS
The last car on our list is the Sarasota Super Sport Miata SS, built by South Carolina-based firm Sarasota Super Sport Performance. The Miata SS is based on the fourth-generation (ND) model and comprehensively overhauls it to create a high-performance machine.
A GM LS3 crate engine is swapped in, along with a GM clutch and power steering rack. A host of other upgraded components round out the package, including a rear differential borrowed from a Chevrolet Camaro, racing coilovers, new brakes, and a 5-mode active exhaust. The Miata SS is sold as a conversion kit, meaning prospective buyers must supply their own donor car.
Sources: Mazda, Rocketeer, Mitsuoka, Sarasota Super Sport Performance, Blackwell Sports Cars, Hurtan, Electrogenic, Great British Sports Cars, Healy Designs
