I remember reading about the Mask-grill connection in a book about the development of the Miata, but I may have been wrong about the particular mask type. Your totally right about the awesome backbone chassis inspiration though!

The EU pedestrian crash regulations that are forcing manufactures push hoods and grills to higher and higher positions presents an interesting problem for Mazda with the Miata. With the majority of other Mazda vehicles now resting on a shortened/lengthened/lifted Mazda6/CX-5 platform and all also wearing a variation…

Referencing Mr. Regular's review of the NA Miata, I hope that Mazda does not fall victim to falsely equating a sporty design with a male power fantasy machismo roid rage design. I know that a lot of people see the Miata as an underpowered hairdressers car, but that demographic already have the Camaro, Mustang, WRX…

The NA Miata wore Mazda's original "mouth" grill and I believe that the design was inspired by Japanese Hannya Masks.