Pristine 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata with Under 5,700 Miles Joins DFW Car & Toy Museum Collection

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a remarkable automotive treasure to its Ron Sturgeon Collection—a 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata with fewer than 5,700 original miles. This early-production NA Miata represents a pristine example of the vehicle that revolutionized the sports car market when it launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year, rekindling the spirit of classic British roadsters while offering unmatched reliability and driving enjoyment.

The vehicle's significance lies in its exceptional preservation and historical importance. As Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum stated, "The original Miata changed the sports car world forever—offering driving joy in its purest form. Finding one with such remarkably low mileage and in this condition is extremely rare." This acquisition provides automotive enthusiasts and historians with an opportunity to study an essentially untouched example of a vehicle that became a global phenomenon due to its lightweight design, perfect balance, and engaging driving dynamics.

Technically, the museum's Miata showcases the original specifications that made the model legendary. Powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four engine factory-rated at 116 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque, the car delivers power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission and optional limited-slip differential—the ideal combination for spirited driving. The exterior maintains its classic profile with chrome exhaust tip, color-keyed bumpers and mirror caps, and signature pop-up headlights that defined the model's iconic appearance.

Inside the cabin, period-correct features include a cassette stereo with headrest-integrated speakers, while practical upgrades include air conditioning converted to R134 refrigerant in 2021. The driver faces a leather-wrapped steering wheel fronting a 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and supporting gauges for fuel, oil pressure, and coolant temperature—all preserved in showroom condition.

This acquisition enhances the museum's extensive collection of over 200 collector cars and 3,000 vintage toys and artifacts, providing visitors with access to automotive history ranging from rare exotic vehicles to beloved favorites like the Miata. The museum's new 150,000-square-foot facility at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth offers free parking and admission, operating Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. More information about visiting hours and exhibits can be found at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.

The preservation of such low-mileage examples has significant implications for automotive heritage conservation. As modern vehicles become increasingly electronic and complex, this Miata serves as a tangible connection to an era when mechanical simplicity and driving purity defined the sports car experience. For collectors and historians, vehicles in this condition provide invaluable reference points for restoration projects and historical documentation, ensuring that future generations can experience these automotive icons as they were originally intended.