Mazda in mourning: farewell to Tom Matano, the father of the MX-5
The Japanese designer, creator of the world's best-selling roadster, has died at the age of 77
1' min read
1' min read
The automotive world says goodbye to one of its most iconic figures: Tom Matano, the Japanese designer who worked at Mazda from 1983 to 2002, died on 20 September at the age of 77. He is credited with the birth of the Mazda MX-5, the small spider that became the best-selling roadster in history.
When it debuted in 1989, the MX-5 became an instant worldwide success: a car that brought back the spirit of British and Italian roadsters, with Japanese reliability and accessibility.
Although the spider remained his most famous design, Matano also signed another Mazda that has entered into legend: the RX-7 FD, the third generation of the sports car with a rotary Wankel engine. Its flowing forms consecrated the coupé as one of the most fascinating Japanese cars ever.
