Inventor of the Miata Reacts to Tiktok Miatas

Summary

Bob Hall, the creator of the Mazda Miata, joins Jimmy from Donut to react to various Miata modifications and TikTok videos. From off-road conversions and drift setups to unusual body kits and bubble leaks, Bob shares his thoughts on how these customizations impact the Miata’s driving dynamics. He also provides insider stories about the car’s design and development, sharing his candid opinions on pop-up headlights, door handles, and even his favorite Miata versions. The video captures a lighthearted yet insightful conversation that highlights Bob's love for the Miata and its diverse enthusiast community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bob Hall is the creator of the Miata, and he reacts to various Miata-related clips, showcasing his deep connection with the car.
• 🚗 Bob prefers seeing a Miata being used, even in unconventional ways, rather than rusting away in a junkyard.
• 🔧 Lifting a Miata would drastically change its driving characteristics, but Bob recommends using a 323 four-wheel drive for such modifications instead.
• 🤔 Bob explains that Miatas, when new and tight, don't leak, but over time, they can loosen up, especially with frequent car washes.
• 🏎️ Drifting was not a primary focus during the Miata's design, but its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup makes it a good platform for drifting, though its short wheelbase could make it harder to control.
• 🎮 Bob enjoys playing Forza and humorously refers to himself as an 'old fart gamer' while commenting on how drift setups don’t work for races.
• 🌬️ In one clip, bubbles coming out of a Miata's doors during a car wash are explained by Bob as caused by bad door seals and air pressure from the AC.
• 🚪 Bob reminisces about the original Miata door handle design and the testing Mazda did to ensure that even people with long nails could open the doors easily.
• 🎨 The story of the Miata is deeply rooted in Mazda's California design studio, but it was a global project with key contributions from Japanese engineers.
• 🏁 Bob discusses how the Miata was designed as a blank canvas for enthusiasts to modify, rather than being a dedicated race car, emphasizing its versatility and fun factor.

Q & A

Who is Bob Hall, and why is he significant in the context of the video?

Bob Hall is the creator of the Mazda Miata, a car with a strong cult following. His insights and involvement in the design of the Miata make him a key figure in the video as he reacts to various Miata-related TikTok videos.

What is Bob Hall’s opinion on off-road Miatas?

Bob Hall appreciates that off-road Miatas are being used in creative ways but feels that modifying a Miata in such a way changes its core driving dynamics, which were not originally intended for off-road or lifted purposes.

What driving characteristics does Bob believe would be affected by lifting a Miata?

Bob explains that lifting a Miata would alter its handling, making the car’s dynamics 'awful' compared to what the Miata is designed to offer. The car would lose its nimbleness and balanced driving characteristics.

How does Bob Hall feel about the stance modification in one of the TikTok clips?

Bob Hall criticizes the stance modification shown in one of the TikTok clips, mentioning that the owner doesn't seem to understand what stance is supposed to achieve and even jokes that the car looks like it might have flipped over.

What advice does Bob give to avoid Miata soft tops from leaking?

Bob advises keeping an eye on all the gaskets, ensuring the top is aligned correctly, and making sure the car isn’t experiencing too much body flex, which could worsen leaks during car washes.

Did Bob Hall envision the Miata becoming popular in the drifting community?

No, Bob mentions that drifting wasn’t something Mazda focused on during the Miata’s development. He learned about drifting later from one of Mazda’s racing instructors but emphasized that Miata’s front-wheel drive gives it an advantage for performance handling.

What does Bob Hall reveal about the development process of the original Miata?

Bob reveals that the Miata’s design process involved a lot of personal dedication. He worked on it before and after regular office hours, as his superiors allowed him to work on it in his free time while handling other projects during the day.

What is Bob’s view on pop-up headlights for the Miata?

Interestingly, Bob was not in favor of the pop-up headlights for the original Miata. He preferred fixed headlights but admits the round pop-ups did provide a classic look that became iconic.

What does Bob Hall think of large engine swaps or extreme modifications to Miatas?

Bob seems to find such extreme modifications amusing and impractical. He suggests that while they are fun and interesting to see, they often stray far from the original intent and purpose of the Miata.

How does Bob feel about racing Miatas?

Bob shares that while the Miata wasn’t specifically designed for racing, it was intended as a 'blank canvas' for enthusiasts. He appreciates that people use the car for racing but stresses that the car’s core design was aimed at being fun to drive in general use.