With warmer weather come warm weather trends. We’re just barely starting to see springtime weather here in Kentucky and already the collector cars are out roaming the streets. There’s nothing quite like seeing a Pontiac Firebird 400 fueling up next to a 1959 Chevrolet Biscayne station wagon, it warms the gearhead’s heart just a little bit. Now is also the time everyone’s thoughts turn to open-air motoring. I’ve already seen F-bodies with the T-tops out running around on the sunnier days, but everybody knows that to do it right you need to lose the top completely. The right idea would be to find something like an old Impala or Delta 88 and enjoy some four-wheeled yacht cruising, right? It’s not a bad idea, but we might have a second option…especially if you’re wanting to hit the trails and not the highway.

In certain circles on the Internet you will hear the phrase, “the answer is always a Miata”. Look, on the surface we don’t have anything against Mazda’s little roadster. You can make all of the jokes you want, but they got people to enjoy open air motoring in a car that wasn’t an absolute dog turd to drive. Park a 1989 Miata and a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron next to each other. The answer will become clear. Miatas are cheap, handle well, and can swallow a small V8 easily, turning a friendly nod to a British roadster into a hat-tip to Carroll Shelby in one swift motion. They rally, they autocross, they eat up road courses and they even are elderly-friendly. Miatas have a place in the world.

But on top of a frame sourced from a Ford Bronco II, V6 and all? You be the judge, readers.

Craigslist Link: 1990 Mazda Miata