The world of vintage race cars is as exclusive as they come, and those who get to enjoy the thrill of piloting these old cars around the track usually have very deep pockets. At the other end of the spectrum lies the Mazda MX-5, a beautifully balanced and affordable sports car that is perfect for taking your first steps into the world of motorsport. The MX-5 has been seen in various states of tune, but one of the most radical transformations we've spotted is the Tipo 184 kit which turns the humble second-generation NB Miata into a true 1950s Formula 1 racer. This kit was created by TV personality Ant Anstead, and pricing has finally been revealed for the kit, which will be available globally.
The kit takes the donor MX-5 - a second-generation NB - and strips it to its base, and is then built up using a tubular frame, after which the gorgeous body panels are bolted on. An exhaust runs down the left-hand side of the car to add to the period-correct look and feel. The interior features a single seat, and touches like custom suspension, and obligatory spoke wheels finish off the classic F1 look. Under the hood, the Mazda's 142-horsepower 1.8-liter engine remains in place, instead of the original race car's 1.5-liter 8-cylinder.
Anstead says of his creation: "I was so inspired by the Alfa 158 that I made my own version of it from scratch. It's so satisfying building and then driving your own beautiful car that I wanted to give other enthusiasts the chance to get into their garages and workshops, open up the toolbox and do the same. It's been a tough time for plenty of people in the past year, so I'd also underline how good for your mental wellbeing it is to make something as beautiful as the Tipo184 from scratch."
He goes on to say, "It's also important that it was extremely affordable. That's why we've kept the cost of the kit to the minimum and it's based on easy-to-source, affordable MX-5/Miata components."
The Tipo 184 will be eligible to race in a new race series, in collaboration with the British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC), and will be "one of the most affordable single-seater race series in the world" according to Anstead. Pricing for the kit has been pegged at £16,450 ($22,950), about $4,000 less than the base price of a 2021 MX-5 Miata, and can be purchased directly from the Tipo184 website. The great news is that the kit will be available globally, including North America. This is one of the coolest conversions for an MX-5 out there, just make sure to stick with the more reliable five-speed if you can.