1997 Mazda MX-5 Harvard

First registered in May 1997 and supplied new by Hayter Brothers, Mazda main agents in Hampshire, this Harvard special edition is one of only 500 examples ever built - and with fewer than half thought to still be on the road, this is a very rare car indeed. And, it has only had three owners from new.

Featuring the larger 1840cc engine, the later cars have a useful increase in both power and torque compared to the earlier 1.6-litre cars. This, combined with the burgundy leather seats (trimmed in grey piping) and matching door cards, walnut-effect centre console, Momo leather steering wheel, and Harvard badging mark this as a very special car indeed.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen at the vendor’s premises in Coldstream on the Scottish borders; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. However, as the seller is aware that his location might not be convenient for some bidders, he’s offered to deliver the car at a discounted rate. As an example, delivery to Birmingham would cost £300

All Harvard special editions were finished in Stone Silver and fitted with unique 15-inch alloy wheels, both of which are present and correct on this stunning example.

The paintwork is on very good overall condition, and the even panel gaps point to an absence of accident damage in its past. The seller tells us that: “the paintwork is pretty good and there is no rust on sills, wheels arches or floors. Its sound and solid underneath too”. He goes on to tell us that the black vinyl roof is in good condition with no damage or splits.

There are some minor paintwork blemishes and bubbles, and the quality of the finish on the new outer sills isn’t the best we’ve ever seen. On the whole though, this is a solid, honest example that would make an ideal daily driver while the new owner carried out a running refurbishment to bring it up to the standard he or she prefers if they wish.

All the Harvard trim – burgundy leather seats piped with grey, matching door cards, and walnut burr-effect centre console – is there. The seats are free of holes and splits and show only gentle wear, creasing and fade. The carpets are in good condition too.

It has received extra burr walnut trim including a matching gear knob and handbrake handle. It also benefits from a good quality JVC CD player, retro-fitted electric windows, and a Mk2 windblocker, which is surprisingly effective at cutting draughts when travelling at speed with the roof furled.

The vehicle had a major overhaul by a Mazda main dealer approximately 17,000 miles ago. This work comprised a new radiator, new cambelt and water pump, a change of both brake and clutch fluid, a new fuel filter, and work to the brake calipers and some oil seals were replaced. The work, which also included a full service, set the owner back almost £2000.

The seller tells us that: “the car drives absolutely beautifully. The engine feels really strong and responsive with good performance. It holds its temperature perfectly in all conditions. The clutch, gearbox and brakes all feel and work just as they should. These later Mk1s always drive so well and this one is no exception to that. It’s just excellent on a good twisting road and a huge amount of fun for the money.”

The seller tells us that the MX-5 has a good service history (the service book shows seven stamps) and will be supplied with its original owner’s handbook pack. He also confirms that it will be professionally checked over before its sale. The MOT certificate is valid until October 2018.

Check out the Gallery with 120 photos of the car and its paperwork. Note that some of the shots of the leather were taken indoors and do make the colour appear brown; this is a trick of the indoor lighting, rest assured they are the colour you see in the outside photos! 

The supply of good early Mazda MX-5s is starting to dry up; while mechanically strong, their Achilles heel has always been rust, especially along the sills. Needless to say, this should not a concern here as it has already had the appropriate repairs carried out.

Yet, this dwindling supply hasn’t yet translated to high values, and even the very best usable cars can still be found for well under £5,000. With the small amount of work needed to bring this car up to show standard, we think it should sell for around £3 - 3,500, at which point it offers more fun for the money than just about anything on sale today.

And, with the bodywork tidied up, it should hold its value well and even start to slowly appreciate over the next few years. This means that the lucky new owner might even find they’ve managed to enjoy almost-free motoring…

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in Coldstream; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.