Pristine 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata with Under 5,700 Miles Showcased at DFW Car & Toy Museum

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a significant automotive artifact to its Ron Sturgeon Collection—a 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata with fewer than 5,700 original miles. This early-production NA Miata represents a pristine example of the model that redefined affordable sports car driving when launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year.

The original Miata successfully revived the spirit of classic British roadsters while delivering unmatched reliability and driving pleasure. Its lightweight design, perfect balance, and engaging driving dynamics quickly made it a global phenomenon. This particular specimen, meticulously preserved, demonstrates why the model earned its legendary status among enthusiasts and automotive journalists alike.

Powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four engine factory-rated at 116 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque, the car delivers power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission and optional limited-slip differential—the ideal configuration for spirited driving. The exterior maintains its classic profile with chrome exhaust tip, color-keyed bumpers and mirror caps, and signature pop-up headlights that defined the model's character.

Inside the cabin, period-correct features include a cassette stereo with headrest-integrated speakers and air conditioning that was upgraded to R134 refrigerant in 2021. The driver faces a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and supporting gauges for fuel, oil pressure, and coolant temperature.

Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's significance, stating that the original Miata changed the sports car world forever by offering driving joy in its purest form. He noted that finding one with such remarkably low mileage and excellent condition is extremely rare. The museum, which features over 200 collector cars and 3,000 vintage toys and artifacts, provides visitors access to automotive history through exhibits like this preserved Miata. More information about the museum's collections and hours can be found at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.

This exhibition matters because it preserves automotive heritage while demonstrating how a single model can influence an entire industry. The Miata's success proved that driving enjoyment didn't require excessive power or high prices, influencing subsequent sports car designs and maintaining a loyal following for decades. For collectors and enthusiasts, such well-preserved examples serve as benchmarks for originality and condition, while for the general public, they offer tangible connections to automotive milestones that shaped modern driving experiences.