Remembering Tom Matano: The Designer Who Gave Us the Miata
The automotive world is mourning the loss of a legend. Tsutomo “Tom” Matano, the visionary designer widely credited as the “father of the Miata,” has passed away at the age of 77. Matano was not just a great designer; he was a true car enthusiast who seemed to have more fun than anyone else doing his job. His passion and vision brought us the Miata, a car that has become a global beacon of hope for drivers everywhere.
A Career Built on Passion
Matano’s journey was as unique as the car he designed. Born in Japan, he set out for America on a freighter and began a career that took him all over the world. He worked at General Motors in Detroit, at GM’s Holden division in Australia, and even at BMW in Europe, before finally landing at the new design division of Mazda in the US. It was at Mazda that he would eventually get to work on the car that would define his legacy.
Here is a timeline of Tom Matano’s career journey:
| Year | Milestone |
| 1969 | Graduated from Seikei University (Japan) with an engineering degree |
| 1970 | Moved to America |
| 1983 | Joined Mazda’s US design division |
| 1989 | The Mazda Miata is launched |
| 2002 | Retired from Mazda |
The Birth of a Legend
Many designers had a hand in the creation of the Miata, but it was Matano who was eventually put in charge of the project. He, along with others, convinced Mazda to take a chance on a fun, two-seater sports car in a world dominated by larger cars. The Miata was a revolutionary car that filled a void left by classic British sports cars. It offered the same fun and excitement but with a modern drivetrain that worked every time and never leaked oil.
A Life of Friendships and Humor
Matano’s legacy extends far beyond just car design. He was known for his genuine passion, his great sense of humor, and his ability to make friends wherever he went. Former Autoweek editor Matt DeLorenzo recalls Matano sewing “Batmobile-like fins” on a car cover as a joke, and a friend, Stewart Reed, remembers an Italian restaurant naming a dish “Pasta a la Matano” after him. These personal stories show a man who was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. As a friend said, “You don’t realize how much you love somebody till they’re gone.”
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