FAQ: Clubman
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:02 pm
FAQ: Clubman - The Australian Mazda MX5 Clubman - Updated 28 April 2010
To verify an MX5 Clubman as authentic, contact Mazda Australia by phone: 1800 034 411,
or email: <CustomerServiceEnq@mazda.com.au>, with the VIN from the firewall requesting verification, or otherwise, as a Clubman. Verification by email usually takes less than 24 hours, excluding weekends, & provides a written record for owners or potential owners.
1993 Clubman: 35
(2 Laguna Blue, 4 Silverstone, 6 Chaste White & 23 Classic Red) - (the first cars had build date of September 1993 & compliance date of October 1993)
1994 Clubman: 144
(4 Silverstone, 7 Brilliant Black, 12 Laguna Blue, 48 Chaste White & 73 Classic Red)
1995 Clubman: 7
(1 Brilliant Black, 1 Laguna Blue, 1 Classic Red & 4 Chaste White)
Total Clubmans: 186
(8 Brilliant Black, 8 Silverstone, 15 Laguna Blue, 58 Chaste White & 97 Classic Red)
According to Bullitt, the Clubman was available after 1995, however it was by irrevocable order only & none were delivered.
Clubmans did not come from the Mazda factory with any options - if fitted they were done locally by dealers.
According to Casey, the Clubman was not a special edition but an option:
QUOTE
You had three options when buying an MX5 between 1993 and 1996.
One was the regular model (std gearbox, std engine, std diff ratio, open diff, std suspension, & p/s).
Two was the Clubman (std gearbox, std engine, std diff ratio, TorSen diff, Bilstein dampers, thicker front anti-roll bar, & no p/s).
Three was the auto (auto gear box, derated engine [more low-down torque, less top end power], taller diff ratio, open diff, std suspension, & p/s).
UNQUOTE
The known differences between the Clubman & the standard NA8 are: Clubman sticker on passenger side of boot lid; when still present the drivers side door jam vehicle information sticker indicating "Suspension: Bilstein", "Grade: --------", & "Special Edition:" left blank; 20mm front anti-roll bar (versus 19mm on standard NA8); Bilstein dampers; & Torsen LSD.
The location of the Clubman bootlid sticker varies slightly from car to car. On one example, the left edge of the sticker is vertically inline with the left edge of 'the silver MX-5' badge below it. The left bottom of the sticker is 8mm from bottom edge of the boot lid, while right the bottom of the sticker is 13mm from bottom edge of the boot lid. For reference this puts the left edge of the sticker 226mm from the left edge, just above the left corner, of the boot lid. On another example, it's 21cm from the left boot edge to the outer area of the 'C', & 5mm from the bottom of the boot edge to the outer edge of the 'C', & 6cm from the bottom boot edge to end of the tail edge of the 'N'.
Clubmans were not fitted with power steering, air conditioning, or hardtop from the factory. However, some were fitted with Mazda air conditioning by dealers, & a few have been fitted with air conditioning &/ or hardtop &/ or power steering by owners over the years. Otherwise, Clubmans are identical to the standard NA8, except it seems for a different pitman arm &, in some cases, hollow spoke or semi hollow spoke wheels, & a Bilstein logo sticker. When present, the Bilstein may be on the rear beaver panel, or front quarter panel under side indicators, or on the rear quarter panel between wheel arch & door jam.
Some Clubmans were fitted with hollow spoke (5kg) or semi hollow spoke (5.5kg) NA8 rims, as opposed to the standard NA8 solid spoke rim (6kg). Apart from some markings around the outside of the rim they appear identical until the inside of the rims are compared - for details see: < http://www.miata.net/garage/mx5wheels/index.html >. Some Clubmans also had a Bilstein logo sticker on their rear beaver, front quarter, or rear quarter panel.
Babalouie believes the Clubman may have a different pitman arm on the steering knuckle to account for the different geometry at the Bilsteins lower ride height. The US Miata R Package, which also had Bilsteins, had a different pitman arm, so it would follow that the Clubman would also have it. The location of the Bilstein spring perch is about 1.5cm lower than the standard NA8, which results in the Clubman having about a 1cm lower ride height.
Benny spoke to the Bilstein importers about the mismatch between the spring and shock rates, and was advised Mazda reverted to the stock NA8 spring rate at the last moment without telling Bilstein about it. This resulted in a very firm ride and bounciness over uneven surfaces as the bilstiens don't have enough rebound damping.
Heasmans in Sydney < http://www.heasmans.com.au/bilstein/service/index.html>, or Quadrant Suspensions in Melbourne
< http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/bilstein.htm >, & other Bilstein dealers around Australia, can revalve & rebuild Clubman Bilsteins with very good results < http://www.bilstein.com.au/ >.
There are a number of Clubmans with 13 months between their build & compliance dates, i.e. build date: October 1993, & compliance date: November 1994.
According to Col & cshaks, Budget Car Rentals in Melbourne had some Clubmans in its fleet around 1994-1995.
The only known Australian print media articles dedicated to the Clubman were in Wheels in January 1994, & in Sports & Classic Cars Australia June-August 1994. Sports Car International, #97 of August 1994, contains an article called 'Miata R Boy Racer', while Car & Driver magazine, October 1994, contains an article called 'Mazda Miata Specials' dedicated to the US R Package & M Edition.
The US Miata R Package was similar to the Clubman except for the addition of a boot lid spoiler, front & rear lower lip spoilers, & a 12mm rear anti-roll bar (versus 11mm on the Clubman).
The following quotes relating to the Australian Clubman, the US Miata R Package & the Japanese R Limited are from the book: 'Mazda MX-5 Miata' by Brian Long (2006 - 3rd Edition):
Australian Update (p69):
\"Australia had two 1.8 litre models - the standard MX-5 1.8 & the Clubman...\"
America in 1994 & 1995 (pp69-70):
\"The R Package option was available on the basic car priced at $1500. Stiffer springs, bushings & harder shock absorbers (sourced from Bilstein) gave the Miata R notably sharper handling but a somewhat choppier ride. With its alloy wheels, Torsen limited-slip differential & front & rear spoilers, the R was a pure sports car. Items such as power-assisted steering & ABS were not available - in fact a stripe (designed by Mark Jordan & listed at $230) & air conditioning were the only options. Car & Driver [October 1994] found the R quicker off the line, but more importantly it was much better in manoeuvrability & salom tests. It also recorded 0.86g on the skidpan against 0.83g for the M Edition. The magazine summed up the R with the comment: \"The suspension glows on the track\".\"
Japan's Limited Editions (p71):
\"In the following month [February 1995], the R Limited was introduced at 2,175,000 yen. Based on the S Special, the R Limited came in Satellite Blue Mica or Chaste White (of the 1000 built, the blue shade accounted for 894 sales) with a red leather interior, like the RS Limited, it featured a lightened flywheel, 4.3:1 final drive, BBS alloys & Potenza tyres, but this time had a wooden three spoke Nardi steering wheel & gearknob, as well as wood trim on the handbrake lever.\"
America in 1996 (pp77):
\"...while the $1500 R Package featured alloy wheels, a Torsen LSD, uprated suspension components (including Bilstein dampers), front & rear skirts, & a rear spoiler.\"
The American Scene (pp80-81):
\"The R Package (for manual cars only) incorporated uprated suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, rear subframe performance rods, a Torsen LSD, front & rear spoilers, a rear skirt, & alloy wheels with locking wheelnuts.\"
Emails have been exchanged with Brian Long, who will include some detail about the Clubman in the 4th edition of his book.
To verify an MX5 Clubman as authentic, contact Mazda Australia by phone: 1800 034 411,
or email: <CustomerServiceEnq@mazda.com.au>, with the VIN from the firewall requesting verification, or otherwise, as a Clubman. Verification by email usually takes less than 24 hours, excluding weekends, & provides a written record for owners or potential owners.
1993 Clubman: 35
(2 Laguna Blue, 4 Silverstone, 6 Chaste White & 23 Classic Red) - (the first cars had build date of September 1993 & compliance date of October 1993)
1994 Clubman: 144
(4 Silverstone, 7 Brilliant Black, 12 Laguna Blue, 48 Chaste White & 73 Classic Red)
1995 Clubman: 7
(1 Brilliant Black, 1 Laguna Blue, 1 Classic Red & 4 Chaste White)
Total Clubmans: 186
(8 Brilliant Black, 8 Silverstone, 15 Laguna Blue, 58 Chaste White & 97 Classic Red)
According to Bullitt, the Clubman was available after 1995, however it was by irrevocable order only & none were delivered.
Clubmans did not come from the Mazda factory with any options - if fitted they were done locally by dealers.
According to Casey, the Clubman was not a special edition but an option:
QUOTE
You had three options when buying an MX5 between 1993 and 1996.
One was the regular model (std gearbox, std engine, std diff ratio, open diff, std suspension, & p/s).
Two was the Clubman (std gearbox, std engine, std diff ratio, TorSen diff, Bilstein dampers, thicker front anti-roll bar, & no p/s).
Three was the auto (auto gear box, derated engine [more low-down torque, less top end power], taller diff ratio, open diff, std suspension, & p/s).
UNQUOTE
The known differences between the Clubman & the standard NA8 are: Clubman sticker on passenger side of boot lid; when still present the drivers side door jam vehicle information sticker indicating "Suspension: Bilstein", "Grade: --------", & "Special Edition:" left blank; 20mm front anti-roll bar (versus 19mm on standard NA8); Bilstein dampers; & Torsen LSD.
The location of the Clubman bootlid sticker varies slightly from car to car. On one example, the left edge of the sticker is vertically inline with the left edge of 'the silver MX-5' badge below it. The left bottom of the sticker is 8mm from bottom edge of the boot lid, while right the bottom of the sticker is 13mm from bottom edge of the boot lid. For reference this puts the left edge of the sticker 226mm from the left edge, just above the left corner, of the boot lid. On another example, it's 21cm from the left boot edge to the outer area of the 'C', & 5mm from the bottom of the boot edge to the outer edge of the 'C', & 6cm from the bottom boot edge to end of the tail edge of the 'N'.
Clubmans were not fitted with power steering, air conditioning, or hardtop from the factory. However, some were fitted with Mazda air conditioning by dealers, & a few have been fitted with air conditioning &/ or hardtop &/ or power steering by owners over the years. Otherwise, Clubmans are identical to the standard NA8, except it seems for a different pitman arm &, in some cases, hollow spoke or semi hollow spoke wheels, & a Bilstein logo sticker. When present, the Bilstein may be on the rear beaver panel, or front quarter panel under side indicators, or on the rear quarter panel between wheel arch & door jam.
Some Clubmans were fitted with hollow spoke (5kg) or semi hollow spoke (5.5kg) NA8 rims, as opposed to the standard NA8 solid spoke rim (6kg). Apart from some markings around the outside of the rim they appear identical until the inside of the rims are compared - for details see: < http://www.miata.net/garage/mx5wheels/index.html >. Some Clubmans also had a Bilstein logo sticker on their rear beaver, front quarter, or rear quarter panel.
Babalouie believes the Clubman may have a different pitman arm on the steering knuckle to account for the different geometry at the Bilsteins lower ride height. The US Miata R Package, which also had Bilsteins, had a different pitman arm, so it would follow that the Clubman would also have it. The location of the Bilstein spring perch is about 1.5cm lower than the standard NA8, which results in the Clubman having about a 1cm lower ride height.
Benny spoke to the Bilstein importers about the mismatch between the spring and shock rates, and was advised Mazda reverted to the stock NA8 spring rate at the last moment without telling Bilstein about it. This resulted in a very firm ride and bounciness over uneven surfaces as the bilstiens don't have enough rebound damping.
Heasmans in Sydney < http://www.heasmans.com.au/bilstein/service/index.html>, or Quadrant Suspensions in Melbourne
< http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/bilstein.htm >, & other Bilstein dealers around Australia, can revalve & rebuild Clubman Bilsteins with very good results < http://www.bilstein.com.au/ >.
There are a number of Clubmans with 13 months between their build & compliance dates, i.e. build date: October 1993, & compliance date: November 1994.
According to Col & cshaks, Budget Car Rentals in Melbourne had some Clubmans in its fleet around 1994-1995.
The only known Australian print media articles dedicated to the Clubman were in Wheels in January 1994, & in Sports & Classic Cars Australia June-August 1994. Sports Car International, #97 of August 1994, contains an article called 'Miata R Boy Racer', while Car & Driver magazine, October 1994, contains an article called 'Mazda Miata Specials' dedicated to the US R Package & M Edition.
The US Miata R Package was similar to the Clubman except for the addition of a boot lid spoiler, front & rear lower lip spoilers, & a 12mm rear anti-roll bar (versus 11mm on the Clubman).
The following quotes relating to the Australian Clubman, the US Miata R Package & the Japanese R Limited are from the book: 'Mazda MX-5 Miata' by Brian Long (2006 - 3rd Edition):
Australian Update (p69):
\"Australia had two 1.8 litre models - the standard MX-5 1.8 & the Clubman...\"
America in 1994 & 1995 (pp69-70):
\"The R Package option was available on the basic car priced at $1500. Stiffer springs, bushings & harder shock absorbers (sourced from Bilstein) gave the Miata R notably sharper handling but a somewhat choppier ride. With its alloy wheels, Torsen limited-slip differential & front & rear spoilers, the R was a pure sports car. Items such as power-assisted steering & ABS were not available - in fact a stripe (designed by Mark Jordan & listed at $230) & air conditioning were the only options. Car & Driver [October 1994] found the R quicker off the line, but more importantly it was much better in manoeuvrability & salom tests. It also recorded 0.86g on the skidpan against 0.83g for the M Edition. The magazine summed up the R with the comment: \"The suspension glows on the track\".\"
Japan's Limited Editions (p71):
\"In the following month [February 1995], the R Limited was introduced at 2,175,000 yen. Based on the S Special, the R Limited came in Satellite Blue Mica or Chaste White (of the 1000 built, the blue shade accounted for 894 sales) with a red leather interior, like the RS Limited, it featured a lightened flywheel, 4.3:1 final drive, BBS alloys & Potenza tyres, but this time had a wooden three spoke Nardi steering wheel & gearknob, as well as wood trim on the handbrake lever.\"
America in 1996 (pp77):
\"...while the $1500 R Package featured alloy wheels, a Torsen LSD, uprated suspension components (including Bilstein dampers), front & rear skirts, & a rear spoiler.\"
The American Scene (pp80-81):
\"The R Package (for manual cars only) incorporated uprated suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, rear subframe performance rods, a Torsen LSD, front & rear spoilers, a rear skirt, & alloy wheels with locking wheelnuts.\"
Emails have been exchanged with Brian Long, who will include some detail about the Clubman in the 4th edition of his book.
