RE V on bonnet and key

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2004
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Chic Lynch

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Chic Lynch » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:36 am

That's because your car isn't a Mazda. Presumably it is an import and was
originally sold in Japan as the Eunos Roadster. The V is the Eunos logo.

Eunos was just another division/brand of Mazda, kind of like Lexus is to
Toyota (though not as upmarket).

[...]

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Wed Nov 24, 2004 8:31 am

Thanks, Chic, it certainly says Eunos on the back end, and its registration says it's a Mazda, and, from what I can learn from an internet search for MX-5, the European version is model named Eunos, (ugh! too much like Eunuch!) and the American version is named Miata. Presumably, Miata's are LHD only? Certainly the only ones on sale in USA are Miatas. I get the impression that they are otherwise identical. It's got an O/E spoiler fitted to the boot lid, which looks identical in styling to the one on the Turbo version just launched. Also, power windows, A/C, and power steering. And, it's a japanese import made in 1991. And, it's a delightful little car! And, it still leaks!!!

Ron
From: Chic Lynch <mx5list@lynchz.com>
Date: 2004/11/24 Wed AM 12:36:26 GMT+13:00
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: RE V on bonnet and key
That's because your car isn't a Mazda. Presumably it is an import and was
originally sold in Japan as the Eunos Roadster. The V is the Eunos logo.

Eunos was just another division/brand of Mazda, kind of like Lexus is to
Toyota (though not as upmarket).

[...]

carl.halvorsen

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by carl.halvorsen » Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:12 pm

Some more info on the Eunos brand.
The plastic pouch that the owners handbook came in with my Eunos Roadster had
the Citroen emblem on it as well. Apparently the Eunos dealerships were also
agents for Citroen. Now here is the interesting part. The last time I got a
wof there was a vintage Citroen in as well - a 1909 model 2 cylinder job.
Being the observant sort I took a closer look and to my surprise the bonnet
badge and the wheel centers were the same as the Eunos V badge, same colour as
well. I believe the Eunos symbol has been copied from the early Citroen
symbol and is related to the Eunos dealers in Japan also selling Citroen.

Carl

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by MN » Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:12 pm

If I remember correctly this whole thing about Eunos was covered in an article
some years ago in Topdown. As I recall Eunos is a very large Mazda dealership
in Japan that was (is?) allowed to place its ow badge on the cars its sells.
There are 2 other such dealerships Elfini being one and the other escapes me.
Elfini badged MX5's are not very common but you do see them. So an MX5 is an
MX5 (or a Miata if you're in the States) and Eunos, Elfini or anything else is
just a badge for a car dealership it has nothing whatsoever to do with the
model name. If you're watchfull you'll see a number of different Mazdas models
with Eunos or Elfini on them.

Cheers
cheers,

Mark

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by zorruno » Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:15 am

nichollsmk wrote:
If I remember correctly this whole thing about Eunos was covered in an
article some years ago in Topdown. As I recall Eunos is a very large
Mazda dealership in Japan that was (is?) allowed to place its ow badge
on the cars its sells. There are 2 other such dealerships Elfini being
one and the other escapes me. Elfini badged MX5's are not very common
but you do see them. So an MX5 is an MX5 (or a Miata if you're in the
States) and Eunos, Elfini or anything else is just a badge for a car
dealership it has nothing whatsoever to do with the model name. If
you're watchfull you'll see a number of different Mazdas models with
Eunos or Elfini on them.
I think it is 'Efini' and the other is 'Autozam'. I don't think it is a
dealership label, more of a branding by Mazda. As Chic said, it is like
Toyota creating the Lexus brand. There are quite a few Eunos's, such as
the 500, 800* etc (similar to Mazda Millenia here? Most have miller
cycle engines I believe)

All NA MX5s in Japan were not Mazda badged, but Eunos Roadsters (or
maybe up to around 1996?) Mazda MX5 in most of Europe & Australasia,
and Mazda Miata MX-5 in the US/Canada.

I don't think there is such a thing as an Efini Roadster, but I could be
wrong. Bill Bawn had (has?) one that was badged Efini, with some funny
running lights on the front guards, but I'm guessing that it was an
aftermarket user created thing.

I've seen Efini RX7s - not sure what else... and Autozam was the brand
for fun, small cars (I think 121 came out under the Autozam brand at one
stage)

They seem to have comprehensively gone back to the Mazda branding for
everything now.

zorruno
(z)

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Grant » Thu Nov 25, 2004 7:39 am

The only Efini I have seen is the Mazda people mover. Lots of them around.

Grant.
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

zorruno
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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by zorruno » Thu Nov 25, 2004 10:10 am

nichollsmk wrote:
If I remember correctly this whole thing about Eunos was covered in an
article some years ago in Topdown.
Further to this... and if anyone is still interested the top down issue
was Oct 99. I think Peter Sweetman would have written this.

http://www.mx5club.org.nz/cgi-bin/db.cg ... ew+Records
Or download the pdf directly here:
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/magazine/topd ... r_1999.pdf

and if you want to compare some old Citroen logos:
http://www.citroen-5hp.ch/images/animiertes_logo_o4.gif
http://homepages.tesco.net/~Christian.N ... cyLogo.JPG
http://www.traction.ch/history/pics/schwan.GIF

with the Eunos logo:
http://www.mazdaspeed.pl/o_firmie/logo/eunos.jpg
http://www.ntf.ne.jp/~astina/pix/eunos.logo1s.gif

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Your beauty is truly only exceeded by your knowledge of these things
(z)

Voodoo

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Voodoo » Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:12 am

I believe that the Eunos badge was created by Mazda about the time that Toyota
created Lexus and Honda created Acura. They were to be flagship brands for
each of the companies. The Eunos 800 with the Miller Cycle engine was the
luxury car. In the event the idea was scrapped before it really got to market.
The Eunos 800 was called the Mazda Millenia in the USA and the Mazda Xedos 9
in the UK / Europe. The Eunos brand never made it out of Japan. My recall is
based on a discussion I had with Bob Hall in 1997 when I was buying a Miller
Cycle Eunos 800 and wanted some background to the car.


On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 00:15:44 +1300, zorruno wrote:

nichollsmk wrote:
If I remember correctly this whole thing about Eunos was covered in an
article some years ago in Topdown. As I recall Eunos is a very large
Mazda dealership in Japan that was (is?) allowed to place its ow badge
on the cars its sells. There are 2 other such dealerships Elfini being
one and the other escapes me. Elfini badged MX5's are not very common
but you do see them. So an MX5 is an MX5 (or a Miata if you're in the
States) and Eunos, Elfini or anything else is just a badge for a car
dealership it has nothing whatsoever to do with the model name. If
you're watchfull you'll see a number of different Mazdas models with
Eunos or Elfini on them.
I think it is 'Efini' and the other is 'Autozam'. I don't think it is a
dealership label, more of a branding by Mazda. As Chic said, it is like
Toyota creating the Lexus brand. There are quite a few Eunos's, such as
the 500, 800* etc (similar to Mazda Millenia here? Most have miller
cycle engines I believe)

All NA MX5s in Japan were not Mazda badged, but Eunos Roadsters (or
maybe up to around 1996?) Mazda MX5 in most of Europe & Australasia,
and Mazda Miata MX-5 in the US/Canada.

I don't think there is such a thing as an Efini Roadster, but I could be
wrong. Bill Bawn had (has?) one that was badged Efini, with some funny
running lights on the front guards, but I'm guessing that it was an
aftermarket user created thing.

I've seen Efini RX7s - not sure what else... and Autozam was the brand
for fun, small cars (I think 121 came out under the Autozam brand at one
stage)

They seem to have comprehensively gone back to the Mazda branding for
everything now.

zorruno

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Mon Nov 29, 2004 1:45 pm

The whole issue of badging is weird! The results from a quick survey of four MX-5's in New Plymouth show:

One with no bonnet badge, and a Mazda transfer on its nose and bum. It was unpowered everything, no A/C, NZ new.

Two with a V bonnet badge and Eunos on their bums, PAS, E/W, A/C, one green (Yeh!) with spoiler, one red with fin, Japanese imports.

One with a Blue/White quadrant bonnet badge, (similar to BMW?), with MX-5 on it, Eunos on bum, PAS, A/C, E/W, no fin/spoiler, Japanese import.

The green one, mine, has Nardi wheel, gear nob, wooden handbrake handle and stainless scuffplates, and has a metal Roadster bum badge, the other two Eunos's had Roadster side transfers and a mixture of wooden bits, while the Mazda had no side transfers and no wood.

I'm gonna find out more! There was a V-Spec made at one time, I understand? I think it included some of the options as standard?
[...]
aftermarket user created thing.

I've seen Efini RX7s - not sure what else... and Autozam was the brand
for fun, small cars (I think 121 came out under the Autozam brand at one
stage)

They seem to have comprehensively gone back to the Mazda branding for
everything now.

zorruno
I believe that the Eunos badge was created by Mazda about the time that
Toyota created Lexus and Honda created Acura. They were to be flagship
brands for each of the companies. The Eunos 800 with the Miller Cycle
engine was the luxury car. In the event the idea was scrapped before it
really got to market. The Eunos 800 was called the Mazda Millenia in the
USA and the Mazda Xedos 9 in the UK / Europe. The Eunos brand never made
it out of Japan. My recall is based on a discussion I had with Bob Hall
in 1997 when I was buying a Miller Cycle Eunos 800 and wanted some
background to the car.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 00:15:44 +1300, zorruno wrote:

nichollsmk wrote:
If I remember correctly this whole thing about Eunos was covered in an
article some years ago in Topdown. As I recall Eunos is a very large
Mazda dealership in Japan that was (is?) allowed to place its ow badge
on the cars its sells. There are 2 other such dealerships Elfini being
one and the other escapes me. Elfini badged MX5's are not very common
but you do see them. So an MX5 is an MX5 (or a Miata if you're in the
States) and Eunos, Elfini or anything else is just a badge for a car
dealership it has nothing whatsoever to do with the model name. If
you're watchfull you'll see a number of different Mazdas models with
Eunos or Elfini on them.
I think it is 'Efini' and the other is 'Autozam'. I don't think it is a
dealership label, more ! of a branding by Mazda. As Chic said, it is
like
Toyota creating the Lexus brand. There are quite a few Eunos's, such as
the 500, 800* etc (similar to Mazda Millenia here? Most have miller
cycle engines I believe)

All NA MX5s in Japan were not Mazda badged, but Eunos Roadsters (or
maybe up to around 1996?) Mazda MX5 in most of Europe & Australasia,
and Mazda Miata MX-5 in the US/Canada.

I don't think there is such a thing as an Efini Roadster, but I could be
wrong. Bill Bawn had (has?) one that was badged Efini, with some funny
running lights on the front guards, but I'm guessing that it was an
aftermarket user created thing.

I've seen Efini RX7s - not sure what else... and Autozam was the brand
for fun, small cars (I think 121 came out under the Autozam brand at one
stage)

They seem to have comprehensively gone back to the Mazda branding for
everything now.

zorruno

zorruno
Black is the new black.
Black is the new black.
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
Location: An Eastern Beach

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by zorruno » Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:48 pm

on 29/11/2004 1:45 p.m. r.v.boxall@xtra.co.nz wrote:
The whole issue of badging is weird! The results from a quick survey
of four MX-5's in New Plymouth show:

One with no bonnet badge, and a Mazda transfer on its nose and bum.
It was unpowered everything, no A/C, NZ new.
pretty much a standard early NZ package with no options (the options
cost more)
Two with a V bonnet badge and ...The green one, mine, has Nardi
wheel, gear nob, wooden handbrake handle and stainless scuffplates...
I'm gonna find out more! There was a V-Spec made at one time, I
understand? I think it included some of the options as standard?
There were lots of different 'packages' for roadsters in Japan.
Have a look at this page http://mx5club.org.nz/info/japan_models/ which
covers most of them. The sticker inside the edge of the drivers door
should tell you what package your roadster was originally*

*e.g. mine is a 94 S-Special in Brilliant Black with the A/C & polished
treadplate options. About the only 'extra' left from the original
package is the rear spoiler though (+ polished plates and a/c).

cheers
zorruno
(z)

Michael & Kate Cooper

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Michael & Kate Cooper » Mon Nov 29, 2004 4:13 pm

Ours has a nice-looking badge on the back - it says Miata MX5. It also has
the Eunos badge on the back, and Roadster on the scuff plates, the V badge on
the bonnet. Jap import, Marina Blue. Someone once tried to prise the Eunos
badge off - no idea why, as I think the Miata MX5 one looks a lot better.

Kate Cooper

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:30 am

Thanks, zorruno, I did a visit, and it would seem that I have a 1991 V-Special, but I'll also look at the door, and see if it still has a sticker on it. It's certainly 1991, BRG, Tan, wooden bits, polished scuff plates, manual, so I'll follow up and investigate the optional extras. I was told it was a "limited edition" when I bought it, but I'm a born sceptic on the subject of car dealers!!!

Ron
[...]

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:47 am

Hi, Kate, I understand that the Miata is the American version, so maybe your plate came from one of them? Miata's a better sounding name, anyway!!
[...]

MX5PWR
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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by MX5PWR » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:12 am

Hi Ron, typical car dealer! there is no such beast as a V Ltd. A common
mistake which you see in many adverts for BRG V Specials. You would have
every right to go bacik to the dealer and have him on for mis represnting
the car.
There was a 1998 series 2 BRG for sale on a yard in New Lynn earlyier this
yr which was advertised as a Ltd edition. I asked the dealer( who was also
the importer) to give me the details of the limited production run for that
car ie how many were produced. It was also advertised with ABS which it
didnt have. Result, one very embarraesd car dealer.

Nigel

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Tue Nov 30, 2004 2:29 pm

Nigel, I think he meant that the V-Special is a limited edition, not that the title includes Ltd! Whatever, I got it for a good price compared to others I've seen advertised. The dealer took it in PX for a Porche Boxter! Compared favourably with the prices of the ones listed on the mx5club website, which, of course, I didn't know about till after buying the car!! My car also has chrome mirrors, which puts it further into the V-Spec model. I know how to check for a limited slip diff, but what about ABS, short of trying to stand it on its nose on a wet road?

Ron
[...]

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by MX5PWR » Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:02 pm

Hi Ron, Either way he was wrong. the special editions were not limited to
a production number ie as long as there were people ordering the specials,
Mazda just kept on producing them, the 1990 V special was released to
celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of the MX5. There were many
other special edition that came out. The limited editions were restricted to
a set production run ie 700 produced and once they were sold that was it.
There is an article in the Feb/March 2004 topdown mag covering this. I will
email diredt to your address.
Re ABS lift the bonnet and on the passengers side you will either have the
water bottle attached to the firewall (if so, no ABS) or a square aluminum
block with lots of pipes coming out of it, if you have this then it has
ABS. Very few 1991 had ABS so if you have it you are very lucky.

I bet the previous owner has no more fun in his Porche Boxter than he had in
the MX5, but has a lot more worry when he parks it or takes it yto the
garage!!!

Have fun in your new toy.


Nigel

r.v.boxall

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by r.v.boxall » Tue Nov 30, 2004 5:03 pm

From the TopDown article, I'm sure that mine's a V-Special only, and, as I said, I'm very happy with it, particularly now that, with help from this List, I've been able to clear the rain rail drains and the driver's side sill drain, which were wetting, actually, soaking is a more accurate word, the carpets.
I'm actually a motorcyclist, and the MX is instead of upgrading my XS750 to a Honda ST1100. It has many advantages - I can talk to my passenger, I don't have to wear a crash helmet, and I can carry a small amount of luggage. And, it doesn't fall over when I stop on a steep camber!!!

Thanks for all your help!

Ron
[...]

Janet & Jeff Curtin

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Janet & Jeff Curtin » Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:30 pm

I know there are VR ltd,s and V specs, not sure if there were V ltd
though.

http://www.mx-5.org/oxford/guide_eunos.htm

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Fletch » Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:07 pm

Actually, Eunos officially made it to Australia...

They had the Eunos 30X which we all call a Mazda MX-3, Eunos Presso, or
Autozam AZ3.
I saw one on the Mazda stand at the Melbourne car show timed to coincide with
the Inaugural Melbourne GP (96?).

I'm not sure if Mazda Aus got around to selling anything else as a Eunos
before the brand was canned?

Fletch.
Red '90. Many n/a mods and Link ECU

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RE V on bonnet and key

Post by EricW » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:02 am

Yup! They sold the Eunos 500 and the 800. I have only ever seen one 500 that I
can recall, looked a bit like the 626

Eric

carl.halvorsen

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by carl.halvorsen » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:26 pm

I have a Mazda Australia brochure on the Eunos 500. Same vehicle imported here
from Japan as the Eunos 500.

Carl

Voodoo

RE V on bonnet and key

Post by Voodoo » Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:17 pm

You're right Fletch. It was an ex Oz Eunos800 parked outside my work that
first got me interested. I modded mine in keeping with the SP version that
Mazdasport did for the Oz market.

That engine was great.


On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 19:07:42 +1300, Fletcher Blades wrote:

Actually, Eunos officially made it to Australia...

They had the Eunos 30X which we all call a Mazda MX-3, Eunos Presso, or
Autozam AZ3.
I saw one on the Mazda stand at the Melbourne car show timed to coincide with
the Inaugural Melbourne GP (96?).

I'm not sure if Mazda Aus got around to selling anything else as a Eunos
before the brand was canned?

Fletch.

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