Get ready for a story that could make even the greatest design workshops green with envy. Imagine a 90s Mazda MX-5, popular and lightweight, slipping into the skin of a Ferrari 275 NART, an icon of the 60s. This transformation is now up for auction, but what motivates this bold project?
The magic of automotive replicas
Our neighbours across the Channel, where legislation is significantly more permissive than in France, are fond of automotive replicas. These are flourishing on online classifieds, often accompanied by stories as fascinating as they are unexpected. The “copy” we present to you today, a rather successful replica of a Ferrari 275 NART (North American Racing Team), is a perfect example.
Difficult to see a Mazda MX-5 NA under this bodywork mimicking that of a Ferrari 275 NART. © carandclassic
Making an overpriced Ferrari more accessible
The original Italian model, which served as the basis for this creation, is now completely out of reach for most budgets. To give you an idea, a 1967 Ferrari 275 NART was sold in 2013 for the tidy sum of 27.5 million dollars, as it was the personal vehicle of Steve McQueen. For those who do not have the fortune of a movie star, this replica offers an entry point into the world of supercars.
However, even an anonymous Ferrari 275 NART remains in very high price ranges, trading around 18.5 million dollars. In contrast, the model we are discussing here is significantly more affordable – that is precisely the purpose of a replica. At the time of writing, the bids on the car & classic site stand at £3,700, or about €4,332.
A Mazda MX-5 transformed into a Ferrari
It is the American company Simpson Design, specializing since 1978 in this type of transformation, that has carried out this surprising metamorphosis. As astonishing as it may seem, the base of this replica is a first-generation Mazda MX-5 (NA) from 1991, whose 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine has been boosted by a supercharger.
Measuring 3.97 m, the first-generation Mazda MX-5 is less imposing than the Ferrari 275 NART (4.32 m). © carandclassic
This vitamin boost raises the power from 115 to 190 hp. That’s always good to have, but comparatively, the inspiration with the prancing horse could boast three times as many cylinders under its long hood. A noble engine with a displacement of 3.3 litres delivering up to 300 hp. But then again, we must not forget that the usage was not the same; the Maranello beast had to impose its law on the circuits of Uncle Sam’s country.
This Miata has lived two lives
The history of this singular beast is clear… over the last twenty years. Registered in 1991, it was imported to the UK in 2000, where ten owners have succeeded one another at its wheel. The current owner acquired the vehicle in July 2023. The body conversion took place in the spring of 2017, as evidenced by an invoice amounting to £10,000 (€11,700), marked by a colour change from Mazda red to a Ferrari Giallo Modena paint that contrasts perfectly with a bespoke black leather interior.
The dashboard and furnishings leave no doubt: it is indeed a Mazda MX-5. © carandclassic
The engine was replaced in 2024, with invoices to support it. The vehicle has been serviced and its technical control, which shows only minor defects, is valid until June 16, 2025. Since the installation of the new engine, the vehicle has covered 37,013 miles, or just under 60,000 km. However, the seller does not specify how far the chassis and the rest of the car have travelled in 34 years… It’s up to you to judge whether the game is worth the candle.
With the help of a turbo, the 1.6-litre engine of the base Mazda MX-5 sees its power increased from 115 to 190 hp. © carandclassic
The charm of replicas
This story is a fascinating blend of engineering and passion for automobiles. Replicas like this one allow those who do not have access to mythical models like the Ferrari 275 NART to appreciate the style without breaking the bank. Of course, purists need not apply! For under this sparkling bodywork still lies the soul of an iconic little Japanese sports car. And what a pleasure it must be to see the faces of passers-by when they spot this beautiful imitation on the road!
From this angle, the roll bars, the windscreen frame, and especially the shape of the doors can betray the Mazda MX-5 serving as the base for this replica. © carandclassic
For those who dream of a Ferrari but cannot shell out millions, this transformed MX-5 could well be an enticing alternative. The bidding has begun; what are you waiting for to raise the stakes? A dream within reach… for a reasonable price.
