Fixing The Miata’s Most Obvious Flaw
The fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 is already a good-looking car, but there’s no denying its toothy grille takes a while to get used to. Japanese aftermarket specialist Scud Power has just the solution, with its long-nose conversion kit taking the ND Miata to another level. By replacing the Miata’s stock front bumper with a sculpted piece featuring a subtle grille opening, the ND looks even more like the spiritual successor to the beloved second-gen NB Miata.Â
The transformation is dramatic enough that casual observers might mistake your modern MX-5 for a restomod NB, arguably most enthusiasts’ favorite Miata. Unfortunately, achieving this improved aesthetic will set you back around $2,000 with shipping.
Scud Power
Getting Your Hands On One
Scud Power operates primarily through its Japanese website, which means international customers face the challenge of navigating both language barriers and complex shipping logistics. The $608 bumper ships unpainted, so factor in additional costs for professional paint matching and installation.Â
For those unwilling to tackle international ordering, a US-based importer stocks the conversion kit, though expect to pay upwards of $2,000 for the convenience. You’ll still get the bumper unpainted, so that’s not even the final price.
Scud Power
A Modern Classic Perfected
The second-generation NB Miata has achieved modern classic status partly because it struck the perfect balance between vintage charm and contemporary reliability. Scud Power’s conversion brings that same philosophy to the ND, which remains one of the most analog and engaging sports cars you can buy today.Â
The Scud Power long-nose kit gives the car better proportions that echo the golden age of lightweight roadsters while maintaining everything that makes the current Miata brilliant. This is the ND at its most honest, looking exactly like what it is underneath: a pure, driver-focused sports car with its heart firmly planted in an era of motoring where that mattered the most.
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