Building one million examples of anything is quite an accomplishment, especially when it's a car. But this isn't just any mainstream model, but rather a niche one with legions of fans throughout the world. Last summer, Mazda announced and revealed its one-millionth MX-5, 27 years after the first one rolled off the Hiroshima, Japan, production plant assembly line. To celebrate the occasion, Mazda sent that specific MX-5 on a year-long global road trip, which it has just completed, according to the automaker.

On April 7, the MX-5 returned to Hiroshima following stops at 35 events in Japan, the UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Mazda also allowed fans to sign their names on the roadster's bodywork. In the US alone, the "Millionth Miata Celebration Tour" came to 18 locations from August to November last year, including Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the LA Auto Show. Before this MX-5 Miata goes on display in the lobby of Mazda's Hiroshima headquarters for several days next month, it'll take part in the Hiroshima Flower Festival (apparently there is such a thing).

Regardless of whether or not you have a favorable opinion of the MX-5 Miata, it can't be argued that it hasn't been a massive success story. For something that started off as tribute, more or less, to the great British-built roadsters of the '60s, only with far better build quality and reliability, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has rightfully earned its place in car history. It is the best-selling sports car of all time, after all.