MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO MAZDA'S SPORTY SURVIVOR

The world’s best-selling sports car and still as popular as ever, more than 860,000 MX5s have been sold since the first generation model was launched in 1989.

Proving an instant hit with those who had enjoyed – and endured – two-seater sports cars in the Sixties. Here was a similar format, fun soft-top that was reliable, didn’t leak at the first hint of rain and, best of all, wouldn’t break the bank.

By the time it hit UK showrooms in spring 1990 it cost less than £15,000 ( not much less than today’s entry-level model) and proved a runaway success .

The Mazda’s wide appeal across different generations of drivers has meant the MX5 has remained popular throughout its three incarnations to today’s latest version that comes with a choice of 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines, a soft roof or folding hard-top and now, for the fi rst time in the UK, an automatic gearbox.

But Mazda has managed to keep the MX5 true to its simple origins of affordable running costs with the 1.8 SE model costing £16,340 and capable of 40.4mpg fuel economy.

Anyone interested in joining the Mazda MX5 Owners’ Club at the MX5 Anniversary National Rally on September 12 at Mallory Park circuit in Leicestershire can fi nd more details on its website: mx5oc.co.uk