Remembering Tom Matano: The Designer Who Gave Us the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Tom Matano was a Mazda MX-5 Miata enthusiast and design legend whose work shaped a generation of sports cars.
He was born Tsutomu Matano on October 7, 1947, in Nagasaki, Japan.
He died on September 20, 2025, leaving behind a huge legacy for Miata fans worldwide.

From Nagasaki to Detroit — the early chapters

Matano moved to the United States after studying in Tokyo.
He learned design and engineering fundamentals and then landed his first industry role in Detroit.
Early stints included work at General Motors, Holden in Australia, and BMW in Germany.
Those stops sharpened his eye for proportion and simplicity.

Joining Mazda and the birth of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

In 1983, Matano joined Mazda North American Operations as a chief designer.
Soon after, he became a central figure in the effort that produced the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
He worked with a small, focused team to translate a simple idea — a lightweight, affordable roadster — into a global icon.

The Miata story: teamwork and timeless lines

The MX-5 Miata was not one man’s work.
Still, Matano’s leadership and sketches helped set the car’s tone.
He insisted on balanced proportions, driver-focused ergonomics, and a playful personality.
As a result, the Miata captured the essence of classic British roadsters while improving reliability and cost.

Design philosophy: less clutter, more joy

Matano favored clarity in line and purpose in detail.
He believed a car should look honest and feel light on its feet.
Those ideas led to the Miata’s simple nose, taut fenders, and compact footprint.
Consequently, the design stayed true across generations while allowing Mazda to evolve the platform.

Passenger seat: Bob Hall Driver’s seat: Tom Matano [Source: Wheels.ca ]

Career highlights beyond the Miata

After his North American tenure, Matano continued to rise within Mazda’s global ranks.
He served as executive designer for Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan before moving into education.
Later, he joined the Academy of Art University in San Francisco as executive director of the School of Industrial Design.
Over the years, he also worked with Next Autoworks and stayed active in automotive journalism.

Real-life moments: small scenes that reveal a mentor

At shows and meetups, Matano loved talking to owners about ride height and steering feel.
He often listened more than he lectured.
That humility made him a favorite among grassroots Miata communities.
Fans remember him as approachable, witty, and deeply curious.

Why the Mazda MX-5 Miata mattered — and still does

The Miata proved that fun need not be expensive.
It reminded drivers that handling can trump raw power on many roads.
Matano’s design choices helped keep the car light and engaging.
As a result, the Miata built an enthusiastic, global ownership culture that still thrives.

Community reaction and the public farewell

News outlets and fan pages quickly paid tribute after Matano’s death.
Social posts from Mazda and Miata clubs highlighted his role as a cultural touchstone.
Meanwhile, magazines ran retrospectives that examined how one design team changed the sports-car landscape.

A personal connection: our 2021 interview

In fact, we had the privilege of interviewing Tom Matano back in 2021, in a feature titled “The Endless Horizon of Time: Musings on Design from Tom Matano” published on TopMiata.
In that interview, Matano spoke candidly about his design philosophy — how he believes in truth to form, function, proportion, and materials — and likened the MX-5 Miata to a pair of jogging shoes: meant for daily joy rather than track-day theatrics.

He also reflected on how experiences from nature, memory, and early life shaped his sense of balance, perspective, and restraint.
That conversation remains a treasured window into the mind that helped bring the Mazda MX-5 Miata to life, and one we now value even more deeply.

Practical legacy: lessons for designers and owners

Designers can learn from Matano’s focus on clarity over flash.
Owners can learn from his insistence that every control should serve the driver’s joy.
Finally, teams can take his collaborative approach as a blueprint for marrying engineering with aesthetics.
Those lessons keep influencing cars beyond just the Miata.

Conclusion — an engineer’s eye, an artist’s restraint

Tom Matano helped turn a simple brief into one of the most successful sports cars of modern times.
He blended technical discipline with a love for proportion and driver connection.
Through the Mazda MX-5 Miata, his design continues to make people smile on back roads and at car meets.
In short, Matano left a living, driving monument to good design.

FAQ — Tom Matano and the Miata

Who was Tom Matano?
Tom Matano was a Japanese-born automotive designer credited as one of the key figures behind the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

What role did he play in the Miata’s creation?
He served as a chief designer and team leader who helped define the Miata’s proportions and driver-focused layout.

When did Tom Matano pass away?
He passed away on September 20, 2025.

What lessons did Matano leave for designers?
Prioritize clarity, keep details purposeful, and always remember the driver’s experience.

Where can I find more about his work?
Start with his Wikipedia page and then read features on TopMiata