Little by little, the rise of SUVs has turned roadsters into an “endangered species”. However, the Mazda MX-5 one of the most iconic (and affordable) roadsters on the market is, it seems, a worthy opponent for the “fashion format”.
Endowed with reduced dimensions and a moderate weight, the Mazda MX-5 is the choice of many to tackle a mountain road, but how many would remember to use it to “attack” an all-terrain trail? Initially we might think that no one would, but Joel Gat comes to prove us wrong.
Passionate about the outdoors and fun cars to drive, Joel Gat had a “problem”: his car, a current-generation Mazda MX-5 RF, did not allow him to go everywhere. In fact, in an interview with Grassroots Motorsports Gat he said: “What's the point of having an MX-5 that's fun 90% of the way if it doesn't cover the last 10% of the way?”.
To solve this “problem”, Joel Gat threw “hands on” and created the Mazda MX-5 RF that we show you here.
After all, it wasn't even necessary to change much
As you can see in the images, the changes that this Mazda MX-5 RF underwent were, to say the least, discreet. The original suspension was kept and the only new features are the Sparco wheels, the Falken mixed tires (which forced the removal of the side skirts and the inside of the wheel arches) and… some rubber mats!
Only with these changes did Joel Gat's MX-5 RF be able to face trails such as those shown in the photographs and in which, as the sign indicates, it is advisable to use a model with all-wheel drive, high height at the ground and short wheelbase, which is the only requirement the MX-5 fulfills.
Of course, going down “bad paths” with a Mazda MX-5 requires extra attention. For this reason, Joel Gat says that he often walks over obstacles (mainly water courses) on foot. Finally, he explains to us that it is necessary to “balance the need for “balance” — due to having only rear-wheel drive — being careful not to hit the bottom of the car”.
Perhaps in order to drive with a little less care, Joel Gat seems to be getting ready to offer his Mazda MX-5 RF a set of Fox shock absorbers that should increase his ground clearance a little.