I’m a huge fan of the concept behind Factory Five’s Subaru-based 818 roadsters and coupés, but what if you want to get more out of your already awesome Mazda roadster? Enter: Flyin’ Miata.
A bone stock Mazda Miata is only the beginning. There comes a point when you’ll want more, and so you will upgrade its suspension, and maybe throw in a set of bigger brakes too.
Since your improved Miata will now handle even better, you’ll feel confident enough to give it more power as well, despite what those purists say. Just a touch more, you won’t go crazy. A bit of supercharger here, a small turbo there, maybe a free-flow stainless steel exhaust, and that’s it. You’ll be happy.
But in case you aren’t finished yet, Flyin’ Miata can take things a bit further, come first-gen or Japan’s latest.
Now, if you want their version of the Ariel Atom idea, that’s called the Exocet. It’s a really simple concept. The kit starts at $7,499, and you can even have a windshield! Miatas don’t get any lighter than this, and the LS V8 fits that chassis too. It’s certainly cheaper than an Atom V8.
Personally, I’m more into the Catfish though. Sure, it still has that kit car vibe to it, but with a base kit that starts at $13,900, you get a car that’s 600 pounds lighter than the donor, yet has 260 turbocharged horses and 340 pound feet to make it reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
The new Miata needs about six to do the same.
As a second car, what more could you wish for?
Photo credit: Flyin’ Miata
Contact the author at mate@jalopnik.com.