Who Designed the MX5? The Man Behind the Legend
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Key Takeaways:
- Tom Matano, designer of the original Mazda MX-5 Miata, passed away on 20 September 2025 at the age of 77.
- Matano's 'Romantic Engineering and Inspired Sensation Design' philosophy changed Mazda's design language.
- His career spanned 30 years at GM, Holden, BMW and Mazda.
- The MX-5 became the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car of all time under his design leadership.
- Matano also designed the iconic FD-generation RX-7 and shaped numerous other Mazda models.
- His connection with the car community created lasting bonds between enthusiasts and the MX-5 brand.
Who Designed the MX5? The Man Behind the Legend
The automotive world lost a legend this September. Tsutomu 'Tom' Matano died on 20 September 2025 aged 77.
Most people know him as the 'Father of the Miata'. But his influence reaches beyond the roadster that carries his creative signature. His automotive career spanned 30 years. His design philosophy didn't just transform a single model: it created an entire automotive culture that continues to thrive across Britain and beyond.
When Matano joined Mazda's North American studio as chief designer in December 1983, the facility was barely an outpost. Fewer than ten people worked there. The studio's original job? Simply monitor market trends in the US. Not propose concepts. Not create designs. But that quickly changed under Matano.
The Revolutionary Design Philosophy of Tom Matano
Mazda's leadership sent a challenge to all division heads to create a vision of the future.
Matano's studio came up with: 'The Romantic Engineering and Inspired Sensation Design'.
The first product to use that design philosophy was the NA-generation MX-5 Miata. Introduced in 1989, it combined reliability and affordability with the pure driving experience you'd normally find in expensive European sports cars. This philosophy balanced technical excellence with emotional appeal. It created vehicles that spoke to both the engineer and the enthusiast in you.
You can see this approach throughout the NA-generation MX-5. The design represented a shift in how Japanese manufacturers approached sports car design.
The Birth of an Icon: Creating the Original MX-5
The first-generation MX-5 wasn't just another car project. Matano reimagined what an affordable sports car could be.
The Mazda MX-5 goes by different names depending on where you are in the world. In Japan, it's the Mazda Roadster. Or it was the Eunos Roadster in its early years. In the United States it's sold as the Mazda Miata. MX-5 was the most common name, but they're all the same roadster.
The NA-generation Miata became the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car of all time. This success didn't happen by accident. Matano and his team focused on creating a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive platform. Driver engagement mattered more than raw power. This philosophy challenged the trend towards complex and powerful sports cars.
The design process involved countless iterations. Matano personally oversaw the details. He insisted on maintaining design purity. And he did it without compromising safety standards. That takes both technical expertise and artistic vision.
Beyond the MX-5: Tom Matano's Broader Automotive Legacy
The MX-5 remains Matano's most recognised achievement. But he didn't rest on his laurels.
He continued his work at Mazda and helped design the MX-6 and MX-3 coupes of the 1990s. However, enthusiasts are likely more interested in his design of the third-generation Mazda RX-7, working alongside Wu-Huang Chin. Many consider the FD-generation RX-7 the greatest RX-7 generation, in part because of its beautiful design.
Matano reportedly had a Ferrari 275 GTB in his California design studio when he worked on the RX-7. He also had it there for the Mazda M Coupe concept. You can see the spirit of the Ferrari in both cars, but the Matano designs are pure Mazda.
His earlier career provided the foundation for later success. He held positions at General Motors in Detroit and in Australia where he worked for the Holden brand. From there, he moved to BMW where he worked on several projects, including the E36-generation 3-Series.
This cross-cultural experience let Matano synthesise different approaches:
- American market understanding
- European design sophistication
- Japanese engineering precision
The result was unique.
Tom Matano's Connection with the Enthusiast Community
Perhaps Matano's most lasting legacy isn't in metal and glass. It's in the relationships he built within the automotive community.
He was often found at car events, talking to fans and autographing cars. He loved what he did and the joy that it brought people. From small local meets to major international shows, he showed genuine appreciation for the community his designs created.
This accessibility helped establish the unique culture surrounding the MX-5. Owners feel connected not just to their vehicles but to the broader story of the model's creation.
Matano understood something important. Successful automotive design extends beyond aesthetics and engineering. It encompasses the ownership experience and community bonds formed around shared enthusiasm.
He'd discuss design decisions. Share development stories. Acknowledge the modifications owners made to their vehicles. This created a reciprocal relationship you rarely see in the automotive industry.
Matano is a big reason why, as many enthusiasts put it, Miata is always the answer.
Preserving the Legacy: The Future of Matano's Designs
How do we preserve Tom Matano's design legacy?
The vehicles he created, particularly early MX-5 models, represent more than transport. They're rolling sculpture that deserves careful preservation. Understanding the design intent behind these vehicles helps inform restoration decisions. You can make modifications and repairs that respect the original vision. But you can also adapt to what you need today.
Quality parts remain available. Specialist suppliers stay dedicated. Because of this, Matano's designs will continue bringing joy to future generations.
Each properly maintained MX-5 serves as a testament to his philosophy. Driving enjoyment shouldn't be reserved for the wealthy. Passionate enthusiasts deserve it regardless of budget.
Tom Matano's legacy extends beyond the vehicles that bear his design signature. He showed that thoughtful design, combined with genuine passion and community engagement, creates automotive icons. Icons that transcend their mechanical specifications. His work reminds us that the best automotive designs balance technical excellence with emotional resonance. They create vehicles that inspire devotion decades after introduction.
If you're fortunate enough to own or maintain vehicles touched by his vision, you carry forward more than transport. You carry a piece of automotive artistry. So whether you're seeking parts for routine maintenance or embarking on a full restoration of your MX-5, remember that you're preserving Tom Matano's enduring legacy.