In 1994, Mazda created the R package version of the popular Miata.  The idea behind the car was that it would be a no frills car that would have a upgraded suspension and some very minor body add-ons.  This would allow the car to compete in stock class with all the racing bits added at the factory.  These upgrades included Bilstein shocks with special valving, different spring rates and slightly different size sway bars.  The exterior changes included front and rear air dams and a small rear lip spoiler on the trunk lid.

Gone from the car were power steering, power windows, power mirrors, leather wheel and even A/C.  Fortunately, A/C was still available as an option and even die hard auto cross racers elected to add the climate system. 

From 1994-1997, less than 2000 R package cars were built and only 47 of those in 1997.  The Laguna Blue featured on this car was only available in 1994-95 and there were only 147 provided in the color for the inaugural year.  Semi-optional on the cars was the R package livery designed by Mazda.  It consisted of white or black vinyl striping in a very distinctive patter.  Although the dealers were encouraged to sell and install the package, very few did because of the work required to properly install it.  For those few that did, it reportedly cost $1200, perhaps another reason customers did not chose the option.  There is one school of thought that for the 1994 model year, the stripes were actually included with every car, to be dealer installed and yet most never were.  When Mazda realized it wasn’t going to become a standard item, they then added it as an option.

I searched for this car for at least five years, wanting it only in the Laguna Blue and with low mileage, never raced and properly cared for.  I would run a wanted to buy ad on Miata.net about every six months with never a single response.  In June, I ran the same ad and as fate would have it, the owner of this car was cruising the classifieds with idea of trying to determine pricing for their car as they had decided to sell it.  They saw my ad, made the phone call and two weeks later the car was in my garage.

It is a 30,000 mile example of the car that was kept mostly stock.  It has Jackson Racing ceramic header, Flying Miata free flow cat and dual exhaust which, unfortunately, required the cutting of the rear bumper cover.  As I’ve grown to like the dual exhaust, I’ve obtained all the parts necessary to return the car to stock some day but in the meantime, it will remain in its slightly modified form.  The car was fully documented with the original window sticker and almost all service documentation since new.