RIDE OF THE WEEK: 1999 Mazda Miata

by Michael Golubiewski
Production Editor

Dual ownership

Like father, like son. Joe Granteed Sr. and Joe Granteed Jr. both have a love of cars. Last year Joe Jr.’s 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck was featured in Motorhead. Now, the father and son have purchased and rebuilt a 1999 Mazda Miata.

The 2-seat car has been built in Hiroshima, Japan, since 1989, and is now in its third generation. From the middle of the first generation through 2004, the Miata featured a 1.8 L (110 cubic inch), straight 4-cylinder engine. Weighing just over a ton, the Miata was designed to be in the tradition of the 1960s small British roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire, MG Midget and Austin-Healey Sprite.

The engine output is about 116 horsepower. The engine compression ratio in 1999 models was raised to 9.5:1 by adding slightly domed pistons. The intake cam was also changed to a solid lifter design with a stronger cam, and a higher mounted intake manifold. The engine produces 116 ft./lb. of torque.

The Miata features a light unibody construction with a detachable rear subframe. The Miata’s 50/50 front/rear weight balance, along with nearly neutral handling, easy and controllable oversteer have made the Miata popular for amateur and stock car racing.

Joe Jr. says he and his father bought the Miata wrecked.

“We decided that it would be a nice project car to fix up and also to have a little fun with,” he says.

The two split up the reconstruction of the car; Joe Sr. rebuilt the engine and did all the mechanical work.

“I took care of all the body work on the car and the new paint job,” Joe Jr. says.

After that, he says that they “just did some simple things to the Miata to make it look nice and clean.”

Some of those things include new black wheels, a bumper lip kit, a side skirt, and a cleanup of the engine bay.

Joe Jr. says “the Miata is just a fun car to have. It’s really fun to drive and just cruise around in it.”

Plus, he says there’s an added bonus: “The car is really great on gas. It gets great mileage.”

The Granteed’s look forward to the spring and summer weather so they can take the Miata back on the road for a spin.

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