The story behind the Mazda MX5 generations
With the Mazda MX 5, the Japanese car maker hit the pulse of the times in 1989, as this vehicle triggered a veritable boom in the automotive world that brought the roadster back into the zeitgeist.
The MX 5 succeeded not only in reviving the roadster division, but in creating such a desire that the model was able to snatch the title of the world's best-selling roadster, with 1,000,000 units sold (between 1989 and 2016).
The MX 5 has been around for over 30 years and is now in its fourth generation. Although the MX 5 was fully grown and mature right from the start, it has had the opportunity to take on many colors and shapes over the last 30 years - whether with a soft top, vinyl roof or hardtop, PVC rear window or glass rear window - there was something for everyone. Only those who wished to have a folding roof would have had to opt for the Mazda 121.
The first generation - the Mazda MX5 NA
The first generation of the MX 5, the Mazda MX 5 NA, which was produced from 1989 to 1998, was a hit right from the start. With the roof up or down, the Mazda MX 5 NA is a real eye-catcher. The distinctive flip-up headlights in particular contribute to the recognition value.
The Mazda Roof of this generation is modeled on the original and has a zipper around the PVC window. This zipper makes it possible to supply more fresh air even when the roof is closed.
Optionally, the MX 5 NA can also be purchased with a glass window, as this uses the roof of the successor Mazda MX 5 NB, which uses a glass window as standard. However, the roof with glass window does not have a zipper around the window.
The roof itself is available in the Sonnenland fabric (in the colors black, blue, brown as well as numerous special colors) as well as in PVC (in the colors black, white and beige).
In contrast to the original, the Mazda MX 5 NA roof by EUROTOP has rain strips sewn into the fabric above the side windows so that no water can run into the interior when the doors are opened. The rain strips are optional; if desired, they can also be left off.
The second generation - the Mazda MX5 NB
The second generation, the Mazda MX 5 NB, then followed just under 10 years after the debut of the MX 5 NA and was produced from 1998 to 2005.
The Mazda MX 5 NB decided to forgo the flip-up headlights of its predecessor and switched to fixed headlights, and glass rear windows were now standard for the NB model.
Although unmistakably a Mazda MX 5, the Type NB brought its own design language and accents: door handles, fenders and bumpers also got a makeover.
On the other hand, the changes to the roof were quite marginal. Like its predecessor, the convertible roof of the Mazda MX 5 NB was available in Sonnenland fabric (in black, blue, brown and numerous special colors) or PVC (in black, white and beige).
The third generation - the Mazda MX5 NC
The third generation, the Mazda MX 5 NC, was produced from 2005 to 2015.
The design of the convertible roof of the Mazda MX 5 NC differed significantly from its two predecessors. For example, the roof, or more precisely - the one-piece front section of the soft top, now also has rain strips. In addition, a Z-fold has now been implemented in the MX 5 NC, which has its pros and cons.
In any case, the installation of the Mazda MX 5 NC roofs is significantly different from that of the two previous generations. The materials of the convertible roof also differ, as the soft top is not made from Sonnenland, but from the US fabric Stayfast.
The fourth generation, the Mazda MX 5 ND, has now been in production since 2015. The new Roadster is slightly shorter and lighter than its predecessors. As this model is still quite new in the market, neither convertible roofs nor installation are offered for it.
