1994 EUNOS ROADSTER RS LIMITED

This 1994 Eunos Roadster RS Limited is an exceptionally rare limited edition sports car, which has been enjoyed as intended and has been treated to recent refurbishment, including to the sought-after carbon-Kevlar seats. Under the bonnet sits the 1.8-litre inline-four engine with a lightweight flywheel, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission with the higher 4.3:1 final drive. The odometer currently indicates around 250,000 km from new. While it is currently in Italy, it remains UK-registered.

The RS Limited was a run of just 500 examples for the Japanese Domestic Market – hence Eunos Roadster rather than Mazda MX-5 – and today it is one of the most collectible examples of the Mk1 (NA) model. Every RS Limited was finished in Montego Blue mica paintwork, and its interior featured the lightweight carbon-Kevlar Recaro bucket seats carried across from the RX-7. From the factory, it had Bilstein dampers, a yellow front strut brace, 15-inch BBS alloy wheels, stainless steel kick plates, and a Nardi steering wheel and gear knob.

First registered in November 1994, this RS Limited was imported to the UK in 1998, and has been with its current keeper for nearly three years. While it remains UK-registered, the car is currently located in its owner’s home country of Italy.

The bodywork of this MX-5 is in very good shape, with the vendor reporting that the bonnet and boot have previously been repaired and repainted. The rest of the Montego Blue paintwork appears to be original, and some age-related scuffs can be seen on the front bumper and driver’s door. The replacement roof appears to fit very well, while the pop-up headlamps are in good working order, and the original BBS wheels have some kerb grazes around the rims.

Inside, the cabin now features a set of original Recaro carbon-Kevlar seats upholstered in the correct black fabric, which are in great shape. The cabin also features a replacement OEM gear knob and Nardi three-spoke steering wheel, which have some surface wear. Its wooden handbrake grip is worn with age, but its function is unaffected. The dashboard plastics all appear to be in good condition and all of the electrics are believed to work as they should.

The last routine maintenance was undertaken in June 2020 at around 240,000 km, where technicians at Pit Garage in Turin changed the engine oil, gearbox and differential oils, before replacing the vinyl rear window and installing the restored Recaro seats. Prior to this, technicians at Pit Garage carried out similar routine maintenance in November 2019, when the exhaust system was also replaced; and in January 2019 a fresh set of OEM coil springs and standard shock absorbers was installed, along with new suspension bushes. The original RS Limited Bilstein shock absorbers – which need to be re-valved and re-gassed – are included in the sale.

The most recent MOT test was on 23 January 2018 at 237,945 km, which resulted in a pass with four advisories to monitor some slight damage to the windscreen, a worn nearside front tyre, and worn rear brake pads. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, date-coded to 2014, which are reported to have around 70% of their tread remaining.

Accompanying the vehicle is the original Japanese service booklet, a partial UK service history, some recent Italian maintenance paperwork, and the tool kit.

This Eunos Roadster RS Limited is an exciting Japanese sports car, which has recently been largely brought back to its original and remarkably rare factory specification. With refurbished suspension, a new exhaust, and a fresh full service in June 2020, it is in mechanically very good order, and is ready to enjoy. As one of only 500 examples produced, and far fewer remaining in such original condition, this lesser-seen Roadster would make a superb addition to any collection.

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Please note: while this car is currently located in Italy, it remains UK-registered. All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.