Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Book of the World's Favourite Sportscar [Paperback]

Brian Long (Author), Takao Kijima (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

Now in its second decade of production, Mazda's superb convertible roadster has become by far the world's best-selling sports car. Here, in definitive detail, is the full story of the MX-5 Miata (known as the Eunos Roadster in Japan) from inception in the early 1980s to the current third generation models. Researched in Japan, this book includes exclusive interviews with key people in the MX-5 story. Coverage includes development, launch details, the model’s evolution in all the major markets, motorsport, specials, and much, much more. The book also features a foreword by Takao Kijima, MX-5 Miata's Chief Engineer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Startline magazine, February 2007, UK
 
The MX-5 is now in its second decade of production and with over half a million of them on the road, Mazda's roadster has become the world's best selling sports car.

The book covers the full story of the MX-5 from its inception in the early 1980's to the very latest third generation models. All markets have been included with special limited editions also appearing as well.

The book features a foreword written by Takao Kijima, chief engineer on the MX-5 project. With over 600 color pictures featured, some showing the car's competition history, the book includes everything for the MX-5 devotee.

MX-5 club of New South Wales, June 2007
Australia

This is the third edition of the Brian Long’s book, coinciding with the release of the third generation of the MX-5, the NC. And as a bonus, the book includes the content from the first and second editions. That should not put off owners of those editions; rather, it enables the history of this amazing car to be contained in the one edition. For new buyers, here is an opportunity to obtain the complete history of the MX-5, from NA to NC, in the one volume.

Brian Long received full co-operation from Mazda in preparing this fully updated and revised version of the original, definitive work on the MX5. While it covers the American, Japanese and European markets in great detail, it does not forget Australia, variously referencing 'news from the Antipodes' (twice), 'Australian update' and 'update from down under'.

The book contains nearly 600 contemporary color pictures, and reproductions of advertising and sales brochures from around the world.

The author, Brian Long now has around 40 books to his credit. Coming from an engineering background, he has been an enthusiast for as long as anyone can remember. His passion for sports cars and vintage machinery remains as strong as ever. Born in Coventry, England, he now lives in Chiba City. He is a member of the RJC in Japan, the Guild of Motoring Writers, and the Society of Automotive Historians.

About the Author

Brian Long now has around 40 books to his credit. Coming from an engineering background, he has been an enthusiast for as long as anyone can remember. His passion for sports cars and vintage machinery remains as strong as ever. Born in Coventry, England, he now lives in Chiba City with his wife, Miho, and their two children, Louis and Sophie-Mercedes. He is a member of the RJC in Japan, the Guild of Motoring Writers, and the Society of Automotive Historians.

Takao Kijima is the MX-5 Program Manager for Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Veloce (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845840569
• ISBN-13: 978-1845840563
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Book of the World's Favourite Sportscar, February 6, 2007

By 

Ivana Gjurin (Zagreb, Croatia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Book of the World's Favourite Sportscar (Paperback)

Fantastic book for those who wants to know the history about the world's famous roadster and for those who own and admire MX-5. The book is full of fantastic photos and articles of all 3 models: NA (Mark I), NB (Mark II) and NC (Mark III) and drawings how MX-5 was prepared, designed and produced. It gives the detailed oveview of all parts of the famous roadster.
The book is "must have" for all MX-5 (or Miata) owners.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indulge Your Miata Enthusaist, June 14, 2007

By 

E. Belmont "E. Belmont" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Book of the World's Favourite Sportscar (Paperback)

The latest of Brian Long's MX-5 Miata books, updated to include the third generation MX-5, reflects the same extensive research and attention to detail that the author put into the previous edition. The numerous photos and cutaway illustrations of concept cars, final products and advertisements are reason enough to buy the book, but it is also great reading. This book offers the enthusiast access to the engineers' and designers' decision-making processes as they culminated in the final designs. The reader also gets insider information about some "near misses", such as the proposed front-wheel drive platform, through interviews and first hand information. The differences between the model years are not only itemized but the reasoning behind the changes is also extensively discussed, making this the virtual Miata encyclopedia. It is a pleasure to have this book on the desk to reread a chapter or just to browse the pictures. The author brought his own unbiased view to the project, and that has allowed the product to speak for itself. This book may be most appreciated by the driver who has enjoyed many miles (Sunday drives to nowhere? autocrosses? laps around a track?) in one or more incarnation of the MX-5 Roadster and wants to know more about the inspiration behind the car. I strongly recommend this book as a gift to a Miata enthusiast. If that's you then go on, you deserve it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book On MX-5, April 11, 2007

By 

Kirk A. Hanson (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Book of the World's Favourite Sportscar (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book about the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It covers all versions of this car, including the NC 2006+ in the U.S., type. The author goes into to great detail about the features of each model and how they were developed. This is the best book on this topic I have read.