Original Eye on New Design: Tom Matano and 2016 Mazda MX-5

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Tom Matano and 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

While the fourth generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata came to life under the watchful eye of Mazda’s current Design Director – Derek Jenkins, the guys who were there more than 25 years ago also came to see. One of those original Miata designers is Tom Matano-san.  You can see Mr. Matano carefully studying the interior of the ND generation Miata in today’s ‘Photo of the Day’.

tom matano mazda designer
Tom Matano – Mazda designer

Matano-san also brought us lasting designs like the third generation Mazda RX-7 (in 1995).

One of the original master-minds of the Mazda Miata was Bob Hall.  TFLcar’s Emme Hall (no relation) was fortunate enough to speak with Bob at the 2014 New York Auto Show, where the MX-5 was celebrating its 25th birthday.

See this interior here.

Check out this insider TFLcar video of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reveal concert

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov

Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011.