Sad news from the automotive industry this weekend. Tsutomu ‘Tom’ Matano, the legendary designer behind the original NA chassis Mazda MX-5, has passed away at age 76.
Matano was born in Nagasaki in 1947. He graduated as an engineer from the Seikei University, and eventually moved on to the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California in 1970. He joined as a chief designer for Mazda North America, a development center in the same state. It was there that he helped pen the design of the first-generation Miata.
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Matano-san’s other notable creations include the third-generation RX-7, also called the FD, one of the most iconic and most beautiful JDM legends of our time. His work was what helped pave the way for the Mazdas that we know of today.
Matano was a beloved personality among Mazda enthusiasts. He remained an active member of the community throughout the years, and was even able to visit the Philippines about a decade ago—when the current-generation ND Miata was launched here in our market.
Rest in power, Matano-san. You will be deeply missed.
