30th Anniversary Miata RF Shines in Racing Orange

Mazda unveiled the first MX-5 Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The roadster would go on to become the best-selling open-top sports car in the world.

By 2016, the Miata had sold one million units and was considered one of the most beloved enthusiast cars in the automotive kingdom. In 2019, when the Miata’s 30th anniversary came around, Mazda returned to the Chicago Auto Show to unveil a special edition model.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Mazda initially allocated only 500 to the US out of 3,000 worldwide. All of them were sold within hours, prompting Mazda to allocate an additional 143 to American enthusiasts. Now, one of the 643 cars is recently for sale on eBay in Titusville, Fla.

All the Right Stuff

The 30th Anniversary Edition Miata is set apart from its counterparts by several features. The most obvious is its Racing Orange paint, said to have been inspired by the color of a racetrack sunrise. Mazda would know about this, as the company is renowned for competing in and winning several grueling 24-hour endurance races around the world.

All 30th Anniversary Edition Miatas came standard with a limited-slip differential and exclusive Rays forged wheels with “30th Anniversary” etched into the rims. To match the paint, the interior features orange trim, stitching, and seat piping in the standard Recaro sport buckets. Its Brembo brake calipers are also orange. Finally, each car comes with a serial-numbered badge to show its number among the 3,000 produced.

The car for sale, number 1,400, is an RF model. Mazda offered the 30th Anniversary Edition in both soft-top and RF versions, the latter of which features a unique power-retractable targa roof panel. It’s also equipped with a desirable six-speed manual transmission, although automatics were also offered from the factory.

Lightly Modded

The 30th Anniversary Miata in the listing boasts only 6,250 miles and is said to have been kept in a temperature-controlled garage. It looks brand new from the photos. But the owner has lightly modified the car with these goodies:

• A RoadsterSport SuperStreet TwinTip Miata catback exhaust
• Progress Technology coil springs
• CravenSpeed door bushings
• Tinted windows

It’s also been protected with a ceramic coating, which explains the stellar condition of the orange finish. Should you want a bone-stock example, the seller notes that all OEM parts are included with the sale.

Like all Miatas, the 30th Anniversary Edition cars are a blast to drive. They’re also among the last of a dying breed—the affordable, lightweight sports car. The rumor mill suggests that the next Miata will be a hybrid or electric, adding complexity and weight. This might just be the last chance to enjoy such a pure expression of a sports car.

During 35 years of Miata production, there have been dozens of special editions. In addition to commemorating a milestone, the 30th Anniversary Edition is among the most distinctive—mostly because of its vivid paint.

Considering the 643-unit US allocation, it’s also among the rarest, as reflected in the $39,999 asking price. When new in 2019, a manual-transmission 30th Anniversary RF would have sold for $37,595, so the price seems reasonable. If you failed to claim one during the initial frenzy, here’s your chance.