1992 Mazda Miata - Run Devil Run!

Cody ultimately drew inspiration from the Eunos roadster, which was the Miata’s Japanese counterpart. Visual examples from his many nights of online research helped to create an image of what he wanted. He loved the really aggressively-built Miata track-monsters in Japan so he decided to build his own. “I really wanted to build a Miata the way they did in Japan but with a few of my own personal touches. I wanted a Japanese-themed track monster that I could also enjoy on the streets.”

What you see on these pages is the culmination of a 4-year build. This two-door convertible is as mean as they come, and barely retains any resemblance of its stock form. The most obvious alteration made is the widened footwork. For this type of wheel fitment and stance to be possible, meaty rubber wraps around the 9-inch wide TE37Vs, which sit snuggly under a set of Autokonexion fender flares. Behind the Advan A032R rear tires is a Shine Auto rear diffuser with vortex generators and an exceptionally tall RS GT-wing. The front-half of the Mazda has a face lift via a Bomex front bumper and the signature pop-up headlights of the first gen Miata have been removed in favor of Mid-Tenn flush mount units. Further spacing had to be done up in front to properly fit the -15 offset Volk wheels.

Cody had to cut into his OEM metal hood to install a URAS-style hood vent, but the additional ventilation proves useful in keeping the Jackson Racing M45 supercharger cool during Cody’s canyon runs. A smaller supercharger pulley enables him to run higher boost while injectors from a newer 1.8L Miata engine ensure that Cody’s B6ZE motor is receiving adequate fuel.

The cockpit of this roadster is perhaps the least refined of the build. The Auto Power rollcage is scuffed-up, the foam padding of the cage is falling apart and the Buddy Club buckets are beginning to show their age. If this Miata is a “chick’s car”, then “she” must be driving the shit out of this one. The wear and tear of the interior adds a certain character to a build that already has enormous amounts of personality. It’s a sure sign that the owner is having a good time.

The credo that Mazda came up with during the development of the Miata was the Japanese phrase “jinba ittai”, which translates roughly to “rider (jin) horse (ba) as one (ittai)”. It was coined to reinforce how important the connection was between the car and its driver. Jinba ittai is also a phrase that Cody knows all too well. “Of all the cars I have owned, this one is the one that I feel I have the deepest connection with.” Negative connotations or not, we’re sure this hasn’t dampened his spirit to drive a downright wicked roadster.