Simpson Design Improves A Classic

A few years ago Simpson Design stopped making the original Italia body kit for the NA Mazda Miata/MX-5/Roadster. Many enthusiasts in the United States were disheartened when Jim stopped producing the Italia. Not that many kits were manufactured and sold over the years so it was always a rare item. Despite the rarity, there always seemed to be a group of fans who desired to have one.

Perhaps there was some people saving up their hard earned money for the day when they could afford to buy the kit for themselves who simply waited too long and would be left out. There was debate amongst fans whether the lower cost of used Miatas would make kits like the Italia more popular (since the low price of the car would allow more cash available for aftermarket modifications) or if the new generation of Miata owners are simply too cheap to spend the time and money necessary to install such an extensive and costly kit.

Also, it was another sign of the diminishing aftermarket parts availability for the aging NA platform. I'm sure you've noticed there are fewer and fewer boutique parts available these days compared to its heyday in the mid-1990s when the Miata was hugely popular and HyperRev #1 cataloged the many parts available to enthusiasts. Today, many of us feel pressure to buy cool parts while they're available since tomorrow they may be gone forever.

Not long ago a company called Retrofroza located in the United Kingdom began offering the original style Italia kit but from what I've read they are not authorized by Jim Simpso and they have simply copied his items without due respect (as so often happens with fiberglass parts). On top of that, some folks have complained about poor communication and lengthy delays in getting parts from this UK supplier. Additionally, international shipping charges make the already expensive kit cost prohibitive for most people. I'm sure many of you reading this will understand this problem and it helps explain why there are so few Italias in Japan.

Never fear because Simpson Design has not abandoned the Italia. Instead, they have redesigned and retooled to bring you the Italia Classic NA 2.0. One of the major changes is the new tilt nose, similar to the one on the Italia 2. That change does a couple of good things: it allows for greater access to the engine compartment and it will save 1-2 days of work for anyone building the kit.