Before the retractable hardtop variations of the NC (PRHT) and ND (RF) Miatas, Mazda actually built a limited run of fixed hardtop NB Miatas called the Roadster Coupe.
If you have never seen one before, we won’t blame you, as only 179 are said to have been built, and they were all sold exclusively in Japan.
The result of Mazda’s …
If anyone is interested, I can share the full spec sheet from Mazda.
As for my pick, I'd go with the Type S, with the Type A running a close second.
Years ago, I sat in one at Tokyo Auto Salon. It felt like a little Aston Martin.
If I were a billionaire, I'd take a type S over grazing space.
Also, did the coupe exist in an early Gran Turismo? I want to say that I drove the car there. Or maybe I dreamed it?
I didn't realize they built that many. I saw one at an auto show years and years ago, I thought it was a prototype or one-off
There was a prototype one-off in 1996 called the M Coupe. It was yellow and based on an NA (of course). I've tried to get Mazda to hand it over for safekeeping in the spotlight instead of storage in the basement, but no luck so far. I think it was a better looking car than the NB coupes personally, but it was hand-built.
Apparently you can only get replacement body parts if you provide a VIN, so don't get any ideas about building a replica :(
I'd go for the Type S, be happy with the Type A. I prefer coupes over roadsters. Lost my interest due to the auto only in the Type E.
I wonder how the weight compares to the roadsters. I also wonder about the difference in handling due to the increased torsional rigidity.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
According to the spec sheet, the Roadster Coupe only weighs about 10 kg (roughly 22 lbs.) more than the convertible.
Love it!
Too bad we can't buy the sheet metal roof stampings from Mazda to build more stateside...
Last one in red with 1.8/6 Speed please. I'll take my number from the deli counter and wait in line.
I love the Miata idea but will never own a convertible.
If they sold these in North America I'd probably own one.
In reply to dxman92 :
Waiting there right with you--one of those and half a pound of Swiss cheese, please.
Nice!
I am not a convertible guy either but the hardtop would have could have been interesting.
I remember swooning over these when they were new in Japan. Instead I had to wait another decade for an FR-S, which hasn't been a bad thing.
I'd still love one of these, though. Make my Roadster Coupe a Type A, please.
What's not to love? Although I'd still take the never-made V6 RX-8 over one.
The NB is definitely the best looking miata in my eyes, and I've never been very interested in convertibles. This car, I would do bad things for this car.
I hate it, because it did not make production
GTwannaB said:I hate it, because it did not make production
It did. You just weren't living in the right country.
The Type A add-ons look kinda goofy in the bottom picture (the yellow one) but they look great in the lead picture.
I'll take the chef's special. As in, surprise me! Since I tent to leave the hard top on my NB anyways (and did the same with my NAs). Heck, if I had a hard top for my ND, it would likely stay on the car, though I love how nicely that top goes up and down...
if forced to choose, I'll take the yellow one, because yellow, and against my dislike for the way that the front flare doesn't connect nicely at the bottom.
Strong FD RX-7 vibes- just beautiful lines on that car. I'll take a number at the deli counter too.
This would be great with a Hatchback like the old Honda CRX's had.
Lots of usable space for travel in the back - At least if you don't have kids since its a two seater...
In reply to jharry3 :
As the owner of an old CRX - it wouldn't be a terribly big space because someone put a double wishbone suspension and a fuel tank behind the seats :)
I personally prefer the '96 show car to the NB production car, but some of that is due to the unfortunate styling trends of the mid-00s.
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