Mazda’s Most Influential Model Wouldn’t Exist Without This Man

It was 36 years ago at the Chicago Auto Show when Mazda revealed its first-ever Miata roadster. During a cold, blustery February in 1989, the Hiroshima-based automaker pulled the sheets off what would eventually become its most iconic model.

Of course, nobody knew it at the time. But the Miata would change the world with its lightweight construction, pure driving experience, stout reliability and affordability. It would go on to become a beacon for motoring enthusiasts, track-day lovers and open-top fans alike.

And none of it would’ve happened without the help of Tsutomo “Tom” Matano. Matano recently passed away at the age of 76. But more so, colloquially referred to as the “father of the Miata,” he left behind a legacy that is arguably Mazda’s greatest.

To pay tribute to Matano’s successes, we look back on the Miata’s history and how he gave us a car that lives on today as the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car of all time.

Matano didn’t originally start at Mazda

Born in Nagasaki, Japan, just shortly after the end of the Second World War, Matano spent most of his early life growing up in his home country. He later obtained an engineering degree at the Seikei University in Tokyo.

But instead of finding work domestically, he immigrated to the United States in the mid-1970s. Matano furthered his education Stateside, where he eventually landed a job with General Motors.

Matano later moved across the globe to work at GM’s Australia division, specifically Holden Design. By 1977, however, he jumped ship and moved to Munich, Germany, joining BMW’s design department.

It wouldn’t be until 1983 that Matano would find himself back to associating with his homeland. He returned to the US to become Chief Designer for Mazda North America Operations (MNAO).

Mazda USA

There, he climbed the corporate ladder to become the Vice President of Design and later, the Executive Designer and Director. And in the process, he oversaw the design of the first-generation “NA” Miata in partnership with Bob Hall, one of Mazda USA’s chief product planners at the time.

The Miata arrived at a time when many thought the convertible was dying

Mazda USA

When the Miata took its first bow, it entered what was seemingly a dying market. Small roadsters were dying in favor of family-friendly, fuel-efficient vehicles. On the other side of the spectrum were tech-forward and rich luxury sedans.

Archetypal examples, like the MGB, Triumph Spitfire and TR7, Alfa Romeo Spider, and Fiat 124 Spider and X1/9 were no more. And open-top motoring appeared to become isolated to pricy midsize models or the premium market.

Mazda USA

Additionally, the industry was still haunted by the lingering fear that the US was going to ban convertibles outright in the 1970s and 1980s due to safety regulations. Yet, Mazda defied the odds.

Despite the questionable market, it all started in the the late ’70s. At the time, Hall was a renowned journalist for MotorTrend. He met with Mazda’s then-chief of research and development, Kenichi Yamamoto.

Mazda USA

During a meeting at the automaker’s HQ in Hiroshima, Hall, an openly self-professed lover of lightweight sports roadsters, opined to Yamamoto about the concept of one from Mazda. He dreamt of a vehicle that blended all the best characteristics from some of Europe’s finest examples with the precision and reliability of Japanese engineering.

At first, Yamamoto wasn’t convinced. That is, until he supposedly got behind the wheel of a Spitfire and drove it on the windy roads of Hakone.

The first Miata went through several design pitches, Matano oversaw them all

Mazda USA

Initially, the concept of a lightweight sports roadster underwent three designs before Matano elected the final rendition. One of the pitches suggested a mid-engine arrangement, similar to the Toyota MR2.

But after further deliberation, Matano and his team stuck with a front-engine layout. Mazda’s design team in California, which Matano led, further honed in the car’s overall shape and details. Its engineering team in Japan worked on the engine, chassis and suspension development.

Mazda USA

That same design team led by Matano, also consisted of notable designers, Mark Jordan, Wu-huang Chin (no relation), Norman Garrett, and Koichi Hayashi. And by 1989, the final product was ready.

Matano also led the design for the most iconic RX-7

Matano might be known as the “father of the Miata.” But he’s also highly recognized as being a similar figure for Mazda’s most iconic generation of rotary sports car: the third-generation FD RX-7.

Mazda

Although the RX-7 was Mazda’s flagship sports car since its launch in 1978, it wouldn’t be until the FD generation that it truly entered the global limelight. It was a star car in the famous Hollywood car flick, The Fast and the Furious, driven by none other than Vin Diesel’s lead character, Dominic Toretto.

As Japan’s underground racing scene exploded in popularity, so did the FD RX-7.

He will be sorely missed throughout the Miata community

Mazda USA

Matano-san wasn’t just known for being “father of the Miata.” Even after his retirement from Mazda USA in 2002, he remained a prominent fixture in the Mazda community. He was known to regularly attend shows and events, often arriving in one of his bespoke creations: a hardtop coupe concept of the NA Miata.

Many would also find him interacting with Miata fans and owners, garnering a reputation for being welcoming, genuine and humble. And he would often post his experiences on his Instagram page, under his appropriately chosen handle, “miatapapa.”

So while he leaves behind a massive community and fanbase, his ultimate creation will continue to live on as Mazda’s greatest legacy.

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