More Than A Car: Chip's MX5
Petrol Heads — We Are a Little Strange
More than a car? It might sound dramatic, but after spending a Sunday morning shooting with Chip and his MX-5 NC2, I completely understood what he meant when he said his car was “something more.”
To us petrol heads, cars aren’t just transport. They’re companions, hobbies, sometimes even therapy. The joy doesn’t stop at the drive itself; it’s in the culture that surrounds it. You join owners’ groups, attend meets, talk endlessly about small tweaks that make big differences. Whether it’s a JDM classic, a supercar, or a lightweight roadster like the MX-5, the bond goes far deeper than A to B. It’s about connection to the machine, the road, and the community that understands why we care so much.
We car people are a peculiar bunch. We buy our cars gifts: new exhausts to help them sing louder, brakes so they can dance harder, coilovers and wheels like the perfect outfit for a special night out. And the MX-5 NC2 fits right into that world, refined, balanced, yet eager to play.
Chip’s example shows exactly why this generation deserves more love. His NC2 wears a tasteful black aero kit that neatly wraps the front and rear bumpers, with side skirts that give it a planted, purposeful stance. A throaty exhaust adds just the right soundtrack, present but never over the top. While a set of red leather re-trimmed seats make the interior feel both personal and premium. Completing the look are ENKEI wheels tucked perfectly under the arches, thanks to a gentle drop on lowering springs. The result is a car that manages to be menacing and elegant all at once.
It’s easy to see why Chip loves his MX-5. It captures what being a petrol head is all about that wonderful mix of personality, performance, and pride. It’s more than just a car. It’s a reflection of who we are: a little strange, maybe but completely, joyfully obsessed.
Mazda MX-5 NC2: The Unsung Hero of the Miata Family
The Mazda MX-5 NC2 (2009–2012) is the quietly confident chapter in the Miata story, a little broader in the shoulders, a little more mature, yet still full of that classic roadster spirit. Powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with about 167 horsepower and weighing around 1,150 kg (2,500 lbs), it’s got just the right mix of pep and poise to make any winding road feel like an event.
The NC2 refined everything the first NC tried to do — a sharper gearbox, tighter suspension, and an interior that finally felt properly grown-up without losing the joy. And then there’s that clever Power Retractable Hardtop, which means you can enjoy top-down sunshine and civilized conversation on the highway — a rare combo in the Miata world.
It’s true the NC generation doesn’t always steal the spotlight from its siblings: the NA gets nostalgia, the NB gets cult status, and the ND gets the crowd’s applause. But the NC2 quietly delivers a driving experience that’s pure Miata, just with a bit more comfort and composure.
Think of it as the dependable friend who always shows up, never complains, and somehow makes every drive better than you remembered. Underappreciated? Maybe. Undeserving? Absolutely not.
Scroll down to view the full gallery from this awesome shoot!
