November 08, 2022

Short deck, long hood, low belt line. The Miata Story.

1 hour 24 minutes

If you’re a fan of the Mazda Miata’s amazing balance and handling characteristics, then Tonight’s Break/Fix guest is to blame. He is best known as the Concept Engineer for the original Miata and he developed the original suspension as well as the packaging layout, achieving the group’s goal of the ultimate “Lightweight Sports car.”

Norman H. Garrett III is an accomplished Automotive Engineer having worked for major companies such as Mazda, Subaru and Volvo. His corporate experiences span the global automotive development arena, with notable success in specific markets related to energy, emissions, and materials. He has supported Georgia Tech and Oak Ridge National Lab, and if that wasn’t enough, you might recognize him from some of his most recent articles on Hagerty like “A few things you should know before you steal my 914” and “Right seat confessions of an on track driving instructor” - and with that, we’d like to welcome Norman to break/fix to share some of his stories.

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00:00:00 Meet Norman H. Garrett III

00:01:33 Norman's Early Passion for Cars

00:05:25 First Cars and Early Experiences

00:12:35 Journey into Automotive Engineering

00:20:04 The Birth of the Mazda Miata

00:30:18 The Evolution of the Mazda RX-7 and Miata

00:31:33 The Decision Behind Miata's Engine Choice

00:33:44 Driving Experience and Design Philosophy

00:36:38 Miata's Popularity and Customization

00:42:25 The Future of Miata and Its Legacy

00:44:27 Comparing Miata with Other Sports Cars

00:54:52 Restoring and Modifying Classic Cars

00:57:59 Carburetors vs. Fuel Injected Engines

00:58:24 The Decline of Aftermarket Performance

00:59:45 The Rise of Superchargers

01:00:35 Miata's Insurance Strategy

01:03:11 Porsche 959 vs. Ferrari F40

01:06:26 The Future of Autonomous Driving and EVs

01:09:23 The Evolution of Internal Combustion Engines

01:21:07 Closing Thoughts and Shout Outs

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