It’s time to delve into the Speedhunters archive for another 10-year throwback post, and this week we’re heading back into the Southern California canyons for a look at a very cool ’99 Mazda Miata.
Jeremy D’Ambrosio selected a variety of parts to build his ideal NB Miata, and the result was spectacular. Let’s revisit Mike and Larry’s 2014 feature…
To me, automobiles might be the most emotional objects on the planet, and if you are reading this I’d say there’s a good chance you’d agree. For us, cars are much more than just devices to get from point A to point B, and the emotional responses they bring out in us can be overwhelming.
What kind of responses do they trigger? Well, that depends on what type of car it is. Some vehicles can blow our minds while simply standing still. A Lamborghini Miura for example, is an automobile so beautiful that it need not move to make us fall in love.
Other cars win our favor through incredible feats of engineering – whether it’s a modern race car designed in a high-tech laboratory, or something created by the hands of a skilled backyard fabricator.
A classic car might appeal to our interest in history, and then there are those cars that are so fast that they instill genuine fear in us. The point is, cars aren’t just machines to us – they are objects that produce powerful emotional reactions.
And of all these emotional reactions, none is more powerful, or more basic, than the one that says, ‘I want to drive this!’ The car in question might not be the most beautiful you’ve ever seen, nor the fastest, but it makes you want do nothing more than hop behind the wheel and drive it. It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words, but you certainly know it when it happens.
This brings me to a car we recently had the chance to spend some time with in the mountains above Los Angeles. It’s a 1999 Mazda Miata built by Jeremy D’Ambrosio, and I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say that this one of the coolest and most well-rounded Miatas on the planet.
Jeremy picked up the NB-chassis Miata four years ago when he relocated from Pennsylvania to Southern California for school. USC? UCLA? No, Jeremy came to SoCal to attend the Art Center of Design in Pasadena – a educational facility that’s turned out some of the world’s best automotive designers.
It’s reasonable to say that many of the students that pass through the halls of the Art Center are huge car enthusiasts and Jeremy is no exception. He chose a Miata not only for its renowned handling, but because the simple and attractive aesthetics of the car allowed him to go in any direction he wanted. A true designer indeed.
An Exercise In Design
In fact, a big part of Jeremy’s goal was not just to have a car that he could take to local track days or SoCal’s great mountain roads, he wanted to use it as a test subject for various styling ideas that passed through his mind.
A big part of his inspiration came from vintage Japanese race and street cars – namely the distinct look of wide fenders and fat tires. Combine that with the Miata’s original goal of being the modern British roadster, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of Jeremy’s theme with the build.
In terms of styling, the most outstanding feature is the roof line. The car is running an Autokonexion fastback hard top that gives the car a completely different look from the standard Miata. There’s certainly some Datsun 240Z and maybe even a little Corvette in there…
With its unique, sweeping roof many people mistake the car for being something other than a Miata – and it’s only the true Roadster nerds that can quickly identify the car’s origins.
Aside from the altered bodylines, the once feminine NB Miata shape is made more aggressive through a set of Autokonexion fender flares, Project-G G-Fuser side skirts and Project-G vented quarter windows. If you needed a refresher on Project-G and what they do, make sure you check out Taryn’s story from last year.
Other details that add to the retro racer look include a set of Garage Vary nostalgic taillights, a Garage Vary front lip and a set of carbon staggered mirrors from Japanese Roadster speciality shop Zoom Engineering.
Jeremy says he’s completely okay with having an overstated car, and other exterior touches – like the polished aluminum hood and oversized rivets – help give the Miata a rough, in-your-face look.
As for wheels, the car is running a set of R-Type RS Watanabes measuring 14×8-inch in the front and 14×8.5-inch in the rear with sticky Toyo Proxes R888 rubber all around. In my mind there’s just no beating the look of 14s and meaty tires on a Miata.
Today’s Miata scene is full of people that build their Roadsters simply to look cool and cruise at a leisurely pace. But Jeremy is not one of those guys. This becomes immediately apparent when you open the hood and find that the Mazda’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is fitted with a Rotrex C30-74 centrifugal supercharger.
Other engine work includes a Mazdaspeed intake cam, a Racing Beat header and mid pipe, along with Mazdaspeed engine mounts. As for electronics there’s a full Megasquirt DIYPNP engine management system along with an AEM UEGO wide-band controller. When everything is dialed in, the set up sends an impressive 235 horsepower and 183lb/ft of torque to the rear wheels – more than enough to allow the featherweight NB to keep up with more powerful modern machinery.
Aside from the performance upgrades made to the motor, Jeremy has also approached the Miata’s engine bay with a similiar eye for aesthetics. Visual upgrades include a Garage Star cowl cover and Project-G Precision Series plug cover, oil cap and dipstick handle. In this shot you can also spot the Cobalt three-point brace.
Style Plus Function
Having the right footwork is a huge part of having a proper Miata experience, and Jeremy’s car does not disappoint in this area. It’s running a set of XIDA Clubsport coilovers from AST, along with Flyin’ Miata sway bars and 949Racing adjustable end links.
Braking ability is enhanced by a set Hawk HP Plus pads with DBA X-Gold rotors and StopTech braided brake lines.
As with a lot of the world’s great Miata builds, the interior on this car is just as impressive as the exterior. Starting on the safety side, there’s a Blackbird FabWorx GT3 roll bar and Bethania Garage door bars.
The seats are factory buckets from a Lotus Elise mounted on RyokuRob brackets – together a very popular retrofit modifcation for Miata owners around the world.
The steering wheel is a custom-trimmed 375mm Nardi mounted with a Garage Star hub extender, which matches perfectly with the old school theme.
Further retro style is added by a custom self-upholstered center console with RyokuRob trim rings. RyokuRob also provided the stainless steel shifter which lends a raw and functional look.
Other little details in the cockpit include cool items like a set of rev limiter gauge faces and a rare Mazdaspeed lap timer.
Overall, the design cockpit just begs you to strap in and find a cool road. This is something that goes back to that ‘I need to drive this’ feeling I spoke of earlier.
Being a design student, Jeremy is always looking for ways to change and improve upon the car’s setup. At the moment he’s working on wider, more aggressive bodywork and also considering stripping down the interior even further.
While this Mazda is no doubt impressive both on paper and when you see it in person, the car itself is just one part of Jeremy’s Miata experience. Even more valuable are the memories and the friends he’s made during his journey with this car. It’s a list that includes everything from late-night canyon sessions, to long road trips and lots of hanging out in parking lots.
Jeremy’s Miata is a car that is fast, functional, cool and unique. More than anything though, it’s driver-oriented nature just makes you want to hop in and find an open stretch of pavement to wind it out on. The way I see it, there’s really no greater praise you can throw on an automobile than that.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia
Photography by Larry Chen
Instagram: larry_chen_foto
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
As much as people want to talk about Ferraris or McLarens and all that stuff, when it comes to "the canyons" it's pretty hard to beat a well setup Miata, Exige, etc. Basically anything lighter than 2,000lbs with 200-300whp + a driver who is willing to die and you are pretty much unbeatable. Anyone who takes driving in the canyons seriously though, or who builds a car specifically to "be the fastest in the canyon" should find a gun and fire it backwards. The owner of this car was really nice and didn't drive like a tool bag.
....but I can't wait for Frank to chime in on this....you know it's comin'....
"X factor of tangential proportions will tell you that a front engine car is inferior to the aerodynamic design of a hippopotamus in the wind tunnel. Sippin a bone broth packet with the homies just tryin to melt more guns like ole Joey B. But that's another story from when I was in the war. Colin Chapman is a genius and I tried to channel his chakras into the 211 when I made it. Amateurs don't understand when ur the pro of the canyons. Anyway...**throws shaka sign**" - Frank Profera
One can count by hand the stock cars which weigh under 2000 lbs. Miata, the current one, is 2370lbs . Even Alfa Romeo 4c which is no longer produces is way over 2000 lbs and is as rare as hen's teeth. One has to custom modify the car to reduce the weight to that level. My 1984 "Rabbit" GTI was about 1900 lbs. One has to go back to stock cars of the 70's 80's 90's to find one which weighs less than 2000 lb figure.
I just want to clarify anyone willing to die will beat someone in inferior equipment which is why canyons are such a joke and why I was able to beat the guys for
Optima in a stock 3 series despite it weighing 500-900lbs more than most builds. Commitment matters more than specs and most men lack the fundamental commitment required to clock fast lap times. Very similar to d bags like Frank Profera who think they are boxing with their little private coach but if they got into a legitimate street fight with a trained 20 year old (not an amateur brawler) they will essentially die.
Motor racing is very similar. A lot of you street guys and old timers think you can contest a fit 20 year old in the right machine. You can’t and you won’t. Which is why you don’t race.
Pretty true. That’s one of the reasons new cars are not high on my list of priorities. Too heavy!
Mike Garrett, I don't think any car guy would consider the NB, or any Miata for that matter, feminine. I think non-car guys would consider it feminine, but that's pure ignorance in my opinion.
With a fastback it actually looks like a pretty hard ass car that’s tough. Fast back plus fender flares it’s really a little mini viper. I raced one that made 440whp and weighed 1700lbs with 305mm rear slicks. Fing batshiii insane car built by a guy who passed away a few years ago. 15x12s at the back. Miss this man every day bc he taught me so much about how to modify and setup these cars. The car was offered to me for $12,000 and to this day I’m so mad I didn’t have the money to buy it. This car held a lot of records and would have been a real weapon in my hands. Optima street car guys would shit themselves if I showed up in this lmao.
Its definitely got some feminine design features (nb more so than na). Its similar to an e-type or an old 240z in that it has soft, swooping and elegant lines.
That's true Miata Guy, but all the best looking cars resemble the female body if we're being honest. Don't think many of us would argue the female form is a beautiful thing -- except Nate and some other guys who don't race. (lmao I couldn't stop myself) but when it comes to fast cars they are not art. They are not museum paintings. They are simply a tool to outperform the next guy on a given day. I don't care what it looks like. If it's faster than the rest of the guys I'll take it. Only very foolish people get hung up on aesthetics in sport or engineering. If it works? It works. Doesn't matter what it looks like and the racing car is simply a tool for the racing driver. The tuner culture came out of this racing culture.
This Fastback roof makes the MX-5 really looking more grown up. Overall a great build and you can really see that there was a designer involved.
But, I was sitting one time in one of these and I don’t know it just don’t feel good to me…
Oh yeah I forgot that I’m 195cm (6.4) XD
Drive_Dude:
The key is to find the right seat, mount straight to the floor once you've decided on your driving position, and smash the foot boards, plus run a hard top. I have a friend who races one who customized it for exactly your height and he actually cant extend his legs all the way to the pedals (adjustable pedal box as well). You can make it really tall friendly if you know how to work cars. Hope this helps. Go get in a Miata (NB or ND) and have fun!
The Tail Lights (anyone know where to get these?) and the Z4 M Coupe fastback (the s2k had this kit too and did it many favors, BMW certainly didn't fumble that design!) transform the NB...
Too bad that front. Polished hood in Sunny South Cali??? Pray to car gods a blinding flash doesn't see this creation make DitchHunters. Exactly why the REAL rally/canyon racers have this matte black or at least satin wrapped. Then the NB headlights and silly front bumper will never work, it's trash... But the round headlights front clip they sell for the miatas would make this car near simplicity perfection. Love the engine bay, clean but not showy, the good stuff.
The taillights look like Garage Vary to me, I have their NA version on my Eunos.
Awesome article and photos
Really nice car but I always laugh at how no one can figure out correct wheel and tire fitment. You don’t run 14x8s with a 205 or 225mm tire on a Miata. You run a 15 and match the width of the wheel to roughly the width of the tire. He should be on a 15x9 with 225s. This is a proven combination. Gent above with the green car understands that by using a 15x12 on a 305. Very basic hot rodding stuff.
Miatas are roadster. That's not a Miata.
Miata’s are actually just cars. Ya know. Like a chassis and an engine. If someone paints a Ferrari black I guess it’s no longer a Ferrari.
According to my personally placed trail cam network, this silver miata (really an MX5 but who's counting) has only driven "spirited" (READ: legally) in the canyons for about 35 miles total, which is ok because the car is a danger to other road users with its chromed hood and dangerously low horsepower and acceleration.
Can't say I've ever seen this thing scurrying around in my rear view mirror - and I check my six militantly every 1-2 seconds. That's a little trick they won't teach you in so called "Skip Barber" school, but saved me from countless interactions with law enforcement.
Thought-provoking choice with the plastic roof. Maybe it rains a lot where he or she comes from. Yeah, WEATHER...I remember it LoL. (California joke for the flyoverland dwellers)
I'm detecting a slight amount of ozone damage to the left front tire judging by these pics - not a good idea to push to the limit. Just looking out for his or her safety.
My eye doctor told me to keep wearing sunglasses. The dermatologist told me to use sunscreen. The dentist told me to brush teeth after i eat yogurt. None of them told me to swap my Miata tail lamps for ebay units but that's the state of American healthcare.
Maybe he or she should find a track "safe space" to keep this thing sequestered on, and leave the twists and turns to dedicated enthusiasts. Just a thought
Seriously Frank, You went back TEN years to look at trail camera footage to see how often one car in thousands who have passed since this was published has traveled? Please have your wife make some beef broth for you and take a much needed nap. Sweet dreams.
I bet you have 13,426 cameras wed to the canyon roads. Sure man. Way to go...
Ahh yes, if there is one person who knows what it means to be a danger on the road it is Frank Profera:
What is this white car?
That is Frank crossing into the on coming traffic lane in the rs211 before it was repainted. He is entering into a completely blind corner at 60-80mph to pass a truck on Latigo canyon road in Malibu California.
Many people have died on these roads from stupidity like this.
every sentence here irritated me
F*** yea. I knew you wouldn’t let us down. F***ing night vision goggles are for the amateurs. We surgically alter the retinas so we can drive canyons faster.
Lock your doors, hide your children, and pour a bone broth packet. Because this summer...
What is this bone broth thing lmao
He said when he gets agitated his wife pours him bone broth packets. Ngl I think he is declining mentally if you look at his comments and I’m not saying that to be rude of take a crack at him.
Oh good God... Someone used those seats as in UPGRADE!?? I binned the ones in my Elise at the very first opportunity. They're simply the worst, least supportive rubbish ever fitted in a sports car. Unless you like sitting on the pavement in the middle of every corner where you've fallen out of the car.