There are many ways to build a Miata. But the one thing that is constant: no matter what you do, they are fun to drive. One can keep them stock, modify them for street cruising, build them for canyon carving, track or drifting, there are no words to describe how versatile these little roadsters are. They are extremely capable, and one does not really need a ton of horsepower to enjoy them.
I have been following Ippei in Japan for some time now. And there is just something about his roadster that I like very much. Perhaps it is because it is simple in form. His Miata still retains the stock body panels and R Package front and rear lower spoilers which carries that timeless design by Mazda. From a visual standpoint, what stands out is how hunkered down his car is over custom, rebuilt stock steelies widened to 9″ inches with a 0 offset on all 4 corners. And time to time he switches them out with SSR MK II’s in 14×8, 0 offset front and 14×8.5 with -7 offset in the rears. The low stance is dialed in with Zeal Super Function coilovers.
The interior has that go-fast look with a Nardi Classic steering wheel, Joyfast shift knob, East Bear bucket seat, Cusco 4 point roll bar, and custom Stack Oil Pressure, Oil Temp and Water Temp gauges for keeping an eye on engine vitals.
Under the hood, you find old school Solex 40mm carbs. For those folks that has installed carbs or individual throttle bodies in their Miatas, they will tell you it is not about the power; it is about that engine response. Just a couple blips of that throttle, and you get all giddy inside. And not to mention the symphony of music of 4 throttles at full sing. There are really no words to describe them, unless you have either driven a Miata with 4 throttles or actually own one yourselves.
Ippei’s little roadster has all the little ingredients for a simple and fun Miata where he drives it all over Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama with his friends. He’s owned his roadster for more than 6 years and is his daily driver. With plans to rebuild his motor for more power. If I had his roadster, I’d drive it every day too!
Now scroll down to check out the awesome photos of his car!
Photographer: Ippei Suzuki ＆ Ryosuke Doi
Writer: Kevin Truong
Owner’s name: Ippei Suzuki
Location: Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @ippei150vsp
1993 Mazda Miata
Engine mods:
B6-ZE, Solex Carburetor S-Type 40mm
Transmission and Differential mods:
Stock 5 Speed Manual, Mazdaspeed LSD
Interior:
Nardi Classic leather steering wheel, Stack meter’s, Joyfast shift knob, Unknown quick release boss, East Bear Sports Sigma bucket seat, Cusco 4P Roll bar
Exterior:
R Package front and rear lips
Suspension:
Endless Zeal Super Function coilovers
Brakes:
Front Summit brake system Order goods, Rear IDI D700
Wheels:
Custom rebuilt stock steel wheels from 5.5 with +45 offset to 9″ wide with 0 offset, 185/55/14 tires
SSR Mark2 14×8, 0 offset, front with 14×8.5 -7 offset rear, with 185/60/14 tires
How did you get in to Miatas?
I bought it for half a million yen at a used car shop.
How long have you owned the car?
I have owned this car for 6 years.
What is your intent with the car?
Keep it simple, low and fun to drive.
Is this your daily driver or weekend car?
This is my daily driver.
What are your future plans/goals with the car?
My Roadster has 195,000 kilometers on the clock. So I plan to rebuild the engine, install the cams and cam gears. I also have a new set of wheels, so I plan to install them soon.