Tustin Mazda and Huntington Beach Mazda as part of John Patterson’s OC Auto Team want to send thanks, prayers and condolences to Shunji Tanaka, designer of the Mazda Miata, who passed away at the age of 75. Thanks for everything, Tanaka-San.

Shunji was the original chief designer of the Mazda Miata MX-5 and the announcement of his passing released on Facebook by a close friend stated his last words were, “I have no regret in my life.” Every Mazda Miata owner can understand Mr. Tanaka having no regret as he was pivotal in providing the world with the seminal small sports car.

Tanaka was responsible for the exterior and interior design of the Mazda Miata MX-5 and as awesome a driving experience as the Miata is the design is something that set’s it apart from all other small sports cars, when you see a Miata, you know it’s a Miata.

With the launch of the New 2022 Mazda Miata MX-5 we again would like to thank Shunji Tanaka for a life of Kaizen.