Shunji Tanaka, the man responsible for the design of the first-generation Mazda MX-5, has died. He was 75 years old.
Tanaka’s death is being reported by various (American) car media after a friend of the man reportedly announced it on Facebook. It is certainly not surprising if the name ‘Shunji Tanaka’ means nothing to you, but his work has had major consequences. Tanaka gave the first MX-5, or Miata if you hit a North American one, its definitive, iconic shapes.
The word ‘definitive’ is, however, quite important in this context. The basic lines of the first MX-5 are the result of a design competition between Japanese and American (California) designers. The American design won (see last photo), but Tanaka was given the task of turning that basic design into a usable car. A lot has changed in the process and the MX-5 NA became the sporty-looking, but at the same time unpretentious roadster that has been adored by the car world for so long.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl