learned something new

Ya, they came out with that at the 06 launch, there were pics all around. Never have seen one in the flesh and it really baffles me that they bothered with a redesigned hardtop when the PRHT was surely in the works already, you would think.

Chris

I see where you got it now, currently on sale at miata.net. Some additional info from the ad;

Mazda Part # NFY2-R1-81XE-68 Sunlight Silver (22V) List Price: $3,099.00 My price: $1650. Includes my time in helping you to install it on your car, so local pick up only!

It's in the newest listings currently.

Chris

Are there any classes of racing that consider the PRHT inadequate as a roof, but will take a "solid" hardtop instead?

I can see some people preferring the older style, (not me!), but I could not believe that Mazda would have done this for such a small market.

Unless some engineer figured out at the last minute what could be fit where, and within budget............Anyone know for sure why this hardtop exists at all?

Pat

Chris,

How about if Mazda reintroduced the Mazdaspeed Miata, but with 200 factory horsepower and 16 inch forged BBS wheels, and the PRHT worked into the NB design?

Put the seats from the 1995 "M" edition in it, and offer it in both black and that crazy new red, at a "reasonable" price.

Would you race me to the dealership for one? :-)

Pat

I would have to call it an anomaly. One of those goof ups big companies sometimes make. I can't imagine how few were sold or how much $ was spent in the R&D and build process.

Chris

They don't even have to incorporate the NB into the design for me. I'm one who gives a thumbs up to the NC other than the s***ty smiling Mazda corporate face (somebody really should be shot for that mess). But ya, the idea you have is wonderful. If Mazda wasn't so anal about rotary's being in RX's only and such, I'd die for the RX8 engine transplanted into the NC!

A tech I met at an AZ dealership had plans to do the swap into his NB (iirc) but I don't know if he ever followed thru.

Chris

Agreed on the NC, I was just doing a dream Miata. In reality, my ultimate Miata may be that 1995 model with a near-complete engine/driveline/interior transplant from a 2005 MSM.

If that car somehow had a PRHT installed, and been painted black instead of red, it would be close to perfect for me.

Not sure why the rotary has never really grabbed my attention. I know it has awesome power and weight, which appeals to me, but I have never seriously considered a car with a rotary, except for the 3rd gen. RX-7, and that was never purchased because it was about $10,000.00 out of my price range.

Pat

A few such conversions have been done, but the height of the rotary's output shaft is a formidable challenge. A V-8 is probably easier.

really! The output shaft, eh? If you know of any links to this project actually being done, post um up for us please. I always just figured that the compact size (of the rotary) would be simply wonderful under the hood of a Miata, interesting!

cd

Allow me to offer a link to a not totally completed project :-)

Regards Bruno

PS. Hi Chris :-)

Height of the output shaft is not really an issue. Output shaft center is relative to the flywheel, and the flywheel diameter on the 12A and 13B rotaries are very close to the same size as the Miata. There is not a lot below the bottom of the flywheel on either engine. Just checked a 13B that the younger son has rebuilt to go into a project RX7, and the flywheel is about even or slightly below the bottom of the block. Not sure how far the oil pan drops below the bottom of the flywheel on the two engines - you may lose some ground clearance to the oil pan. I think you have to look at it the other way. In a piston engine, most of the mass and weight are above the crankshaft. In a rotary, the mass and weight are pretty much centered on the drive shaft which should lower the overall weight centerline, and increase handling. Engine mounts would definitely need work. My one son has gotten pretty hard core rotary and has wanted to put a 12A in a Miata. I looked in the engine compartments of a first generation RX7, and the NA Miata, and it is pretty close. Should fit without any extreme measures, and the bell housing/tranny are nearly identical. Depending on the choice of tranny, the shift turret may be in a different place. Early RX7s were forward (or maybe that is behind) of where the later, and Miata turret is located. Apparently there are fixes for that out there from others converting early 1st gen RX7s to the 13B engine with matching tranny. Best place to find out about it is the RX7 forums.

I really think that the detachable NC hard top is a concession to the racing fraternity. It allows the rules to permit a lighter racing version as a "stock production" version.

That's a possibility I guess. Hey Pat, check out the thread Bruno listed, that NC has a hard top on it. I'll have to take a look at Stephen's links. Obviously their are people out there working on this but Mazda could do it in a heartbeat!

Here's my suggestion to Mazda; New Mazdaspeed Miata with the 13b rotary in it and if MX-5 bothers you call it an RX-5 Mazdaspeed ;-) This could be a wonderful performance car with the 'right' price since Mazda would be mostly digging into their parts bin!

Come on Mazda!

We can try! Chris

That looks cool! I will have to check it out later in more detail when I have some time. That Mazdaspeed front bumper looks very cool.

Pat

Bruno, LIFE IS TOO SHORT! Either that or I'm simply too slow at everything I want to do! I've spent hours following the 13B into NC build! I haven't caught up yet but I'm still in there. This deserves it's own post my friend! Thanks for linking it, this guy is amazingly talented and has spent unbelievable hours documenting everything! I love this guy!

Thanks again! Chris

Fixes that nasty GRIN everybody hates!

Chris