Choosing Miatas Over Ferraris and Lamborghinis
Andrea Mancini isn’t your typical Italian car nut. While many collectors in Italy chase Ferraris and Lamborghinis, Mancini has built his collection entirely around Mazda’s unassuming roadster, the Miata. The result is Miataland, a collection of more than 50 examples of the small two-seater, ranging from quirky rarities to fully custom builds.
How It Started
Mancini’s obsession began in 1998 with an NA-generation Miata, the version with pop-up headlights. After later switching to an NB with fixed headlights, something changed, and he decided he’d never sell another Miata again. Since then, his garage has grown into something resembling a running history of the model, with most cars sourced from Japan and others arriving by way of the UK before landing under his roof.
The Rarest Pieces in the Collection
Among the standout cars is a Yamamoto Signature ND, one of only four ever built, created as a tribute to the Miata’s original engineer. Mancini also owns the M2-1001 and M2-1002, two rare models from Mazda’s now-defunct M2 boutique division, one built as a lightweight track car and the other finished as a plush, leather-lined cruiser. He even owns an NC-generation Miata, often considered the least popular generation among purists, though his is a 20th-anniversary edition built with genuine track capability while remaining street legal.
Beyond Factory Specs
Mancini hasn’t limited himself to stock configurations. His collection includes a Miata styled to resemble a Ferrari GTO, another built to mimic an Austin-Healey Sprite, and one fitted with a supercharged Ford V8 engine capable of outrunning many genuine supercars on Italian roads.
Running Out of Room
Space at Miataland is already tight, and a new Toyota-collaboration Miata could test Mancini’s self-imposed rule against adding more cars. For now, the collection stands as a testament to the idea that genuine enthusiasm for a single model can rival, or even outshine, chasing the prestige of a traditional exotic car collection.