THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: Miata


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Acknowledged

I have really liked and grown to love the design of the Mazda Miata. Its designer Tsutomu “Tom” Matano passed recently and I’m one of his fans.

In an article/obit in AutoWeek I was reading the subhead said “He was not only a great designer, he seemed to be having more fun than anyone else doing it.” What a quote about a professional and person at the same time.

I can attest to the joy that car has given me and many others I’ve met. Must be part of that infectious spirit he put into it.

Next year mine will be a decade old. Time for a good refresher and some additions. The top needs a little work, some suspension and exhaust replacements. Maybe a rear spoiler and see how much a new display screen costs, the sun has gotten to the corners of the original.

It’s under cover now with the rain today, but tomorrow we go for a spin. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Memories become more valuable as time passes.
  • It’s very unsettling to watch friends who will be in a difficult way because of choices they have made.
  • The need for many things, is growing fast and maybe beyond the ability of charitable people.
  • There are a host’s opportunities out there every day for the taking.


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Pumped Up

I was lucky to come upon a Facebook group a while back that I joined. It’s the Maryland Miata Club and I’ve met a lot of nice and knowledgeable people at the monthly meet-ups. Plus, it’s in the parking lot of one of my favorite Italian places called 3 Brothers.

Taking a short cruise before the meet was great with the top down, the late afternoon sun beating down and a cool low 70s day. What is not to like.

It felt good to go to the meet with a clean car and I’m going to do some more detailing today. It will be 10 years old early next year and it’s still looking strong. I believe I have about 60K on it. Since retiring and getting a beater car to use for errands and bad weather I don’t put much mileage on it each year.

And what I do is all pleasure which it should be in a car like that. Then again even when I was working it was my Remedy. For whatever ailed me at the time.

The club has some beautiful rides in it and some have really stuck some funds and technology into these roadsters.

I’m excited about getting out today already.

Here is a shot of one I liked at yesterday’s meet.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Am I part of the last generation that are true motorheads? I rode a cruiser for a few decades. But sales of Harley Davidsons are down and will continue to go down with an aging client base. The same is true for classic cars. I see very few young people at shows and the ones that are, have late model tech machines, not the muscle cars of days past.

Yes, there are a few exceptions but there are a lot of grey hair sitting behind these cars as well as the people attending the shows. My kids and most of my friend’s children have no interest in muscle cars or motorcycles.

So will these things lose value over time. Prices for them the last for decade or so seems quite high. Will parts to keep them going even become more difficult to acquire? What is going to happen to all these classics when we aren’t around anymore. Will they go the same way as every previous generation?


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Practice

It’s car season again here in the Mid-Atlantic. I went to the Maryland Miata Club meeting on Monday and took the opportunity to practice some shooting. There is another big show at Mikey and Mel’s in Maple Lawn this Saturday, and if time allows, I’ll be there also.

So, buckle up and close that hood. It’s driving season again.

Time to spread your wings and escape the shadows.

Then roll out and hug the pavement.

Ready to breathe fire and hug the corners.

You might hear some AC/DC Back in Black.

So, take a number and take the top off and cruise.

Get a good grip on that wheel, lean back and hit the button.

Raise those tail feathers and put it in gear.

All photos by Mike Hartley

Next meeting I’ll just concentrate on body lines.


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After the meet

This Sunday is the Maryland Miata Club meeting. I’m going to go and join in for an hour before returning home and covering the car for the upcoming snow on Monday. I just threw the cover back on the car this afternoon for the dusting that’s on its way today.

The meets usually last 2-3 hours easily but when it’s 30 degrees, even the strong will move inside or head home after an hour. One thing I’m looking forward to is a slice of Three Brothers Pizza. They took over the old Neo Pizza spot. And that’s the lot we meet at.

I’m a ragtop man. So begins a year of travel, but first the long season of cover on, or top up. Hence the name on the logo below – Full Circle Road Trips. Those sunny days and warm summer nights are balanced out with the cool temps and snow.

This year is the year of the destination. I hope to make my travels, a little more part of this blog this year.

I tinkered with the logo below that I’ll use to detail my road trips this year.

There won’t be too many this month in the Miata but that won’t stop the other vehicles. Between the weather and appointments this January is busy. I did take the fun machine out Thursday night because I hadn’t started it in a week, so I thought I’d exercise it a bit with a trip to my friends home.

May you enjoy the drive and the bad drivers be on another road than yours.

Here’s to safe travels and exciting miles ahead in 2025.

Maryland has some great roads. Photo by Mike Hartley.


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Line up

Yeah, I park with these guys and gals. Just a shot from the Maryland Miata Club meeting this past Monday in Columbia. I’m enjoying both the chances to meet people and shoot their cars. And start learning more about my own and what I might do in the future with it.

A row of reds. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ve only been to 3-4 monthly meetings but they also do rides and track events, scenic cruises, talk cars, swap and buy parts, give advice and support, and just have fun and be friendly.

Take a deep breath, Sir. Photo by Mike Hartley

I might just go to one of the track events just to shoot photos of the group. I took enough chances in my younger days. I don’t push things anymore.

I’d guess there were over 50 cars at the July meeting. It was a beautiful day

No roll bar for me, yet. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ll be putting a few miles on my own this weekend but the cover is going on it soon because the rains are on the way.


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Postponed

The trip I was thinking about to Ocean City this Thursday for the car show is off. I’m not going that distance in crappy weather. I’ll hit the fall show in October.

Thankfully I was able to get my car junkie fix last night at the monthly Maryland Miata Club meeting on a beautiful Monday evening in Columbia.

A pretty informal event but fun nonetheless. A nice group of enthusiasts who like these go-carts and modify them nicely or restore them to vintage originality. I’m a newbie to the group, only my second meet but I ran into some nice people and had good looks at their rides.

I haven’t been on any of the (spirited drives) yet through the back roads with small groups. And then there are the track cars and drivers who look fairly serious but seem to have the biggest smiles.

The monthly meeting is only about 20 minutes away so it’s a piece of cake to attend from now on that I hope to make another priority in my life. It will also give me some incentive to start fixing up my stock ride a bit.

I was able to help out a fellow owner who had an electrical problem and found out he lived just down the road from me so maybe a cruising partner in the future. I think I’m going to start mapping out some of my favorite routes around the state for others to enjoy.

Unfortunately, it’s time to throw the cover on it being the rains are coming again.

All photos by Mike Hartley