Rare 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata Gets a Stunning Restoration in Kenya

Benardict Ngase
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Benardict Ngase
Ben Temnick is a Kenyan automotive journalist and reviewer known for leading the content team at Motor Rove. He has been active in automotive writing since...
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  • The 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted in Chicago with a 1.6-liter engine, 116 hp, 100 lb-ft of torque, rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual at launch.
  • Wololo Julius restored an abandoned red Mazda Miata in Kenya with metallic blue paint, halo headlights, white wheels, bucket seats and a rear spoiler.
  • The classic roadster is rare in Kenya because NTSA rules block vehicles older than eight years, making surviving examples highly valued by collectors.

The 1989 Mazda Miata debuted at the Chicago auto show in February 1989. The roadster is a small, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive car powered by an inline four 1.6-liter DOHC engine that is capable of producing 116 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque.

It’s a rare gem on the roads of Kenya, as getting one now may become a challenge. NTSA regulations strictly ban the importation of vehicles older than 8 years, and at some time you can pay collectors heavily to acquire one.

In a restoration project, Wololo Julius has transformed one abandoned Mazda MX5 Miata, giving it a new life from red paint to a metallic blue, also new popping lights, and added some mods, including a rear spoiler, added bucket seats, and new wheels of white rims, giving it its original sporty stance.

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In a video posted by Wololo on Instagram, it shows a completely worn-out Red Miata, and it transitions to the restored 1989 MX-5 Miata with a vibrant metallic blue color, white wheels, and custom halo headlights.

We didn’t have much on performance, but the original 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata came with a 1.6-liter inline four engine with 116 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque working in close with a five-speed manual transmission.

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They come with three color options, red, blue, and white. Later, Silvertone Metallic was added by Mazda.

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Ben Temnick is a Kenyan automotive journalist and reviewer known for leading the content team at Motor Rove. He has been active in automotive writing since 2019 and utilizes a background in automotive engineering to provide technical insights in his reviews. He focuses on delivering honest, data-driven perspectives on the latest vehicles entering the East African market.
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