The current generation of Mazda MX-5 (ND) may not even have resulted in an Alfa Romeo model as it was initially planned (we had the Fiat and Abarth 124 before). However, that doesn't mean that there aren't some MX-5s “transforming” into models of the transalpine house. A good example of this is the Type 184 kit we were talking about today.
A kit that makes it possible to transform a Mazda MX-5 NB (second generation) into a very faithful replica of the Alfa Romeo 158, the first to win a Formula 1 world title, in 1950, with Giuseppe Farina at the controls. As if that wasn't enough, it was still one of the most successful racing cars ever since it hit the circuits in 1938.
Limited (for now) to just 10 units, this kit was created by Ant Anstead, who you may know from television shows like “Wheeler Dealers” or “For the Love of Cars”, and costs £7499 before tax (approx. of 8360 euros).
The transformation kit
Why the Type 184 designation? It alludes to the fact that the engine of the Mazda MX-5 NB has 1.8 l capacity and four cylinders. And it's the same reason for the denomination of the Alfa Romeo 158, ie a 1.5 l with eight cylinders.
The kit that “turns” the MX-5 into a 158 includes a tubular chassis, body panels and up to four functional exhaust outlets (to which four “fake” ones are added to mimic the look of the eight-cylinder Alfa Romeo 158) . It is even possible to see that some covers were created to make the brake discs look like drums..
As you can see, the Mazda MX-5 uses all possible mechanical components to bring this replica of the Alfa Romeo 158 to life.
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Given the very convincing end result, is the Type 184 a good way to breathe new life into a crashed MX-5 NB or simply to create a different car? Leave us your opinion in the comments.