The Auto Channel--Sports Car International V11 I10

3 QUESTIONS

Each month SCI looks for different perspectives on the same three questions. This time we asked Tom Matano, the well-regarded leader of Mazda's American styling arm and now Executive Vice President of Western Operations for the firm.

What's your all-time favorite sports car?

I usually rotate my top ten; the contents are always the same, but the ranking changes from time to time. These are the Alfa Romeo TZ, SZ and Canguro, Abarth-Simca 2000, Ferrari 365GT/BB, 250GT SWB and P4, D-Type Jaguar, Lotus 23B and De Tomaso Vallelunga. Then for sound, the BMW M1 racing engine. Right now I've got a Vallelunga, Lancia Scorpion, Miata and an RX7.

What would you change about today's sports cars?

Ease of tinkering. We tried to accommodate this on the Miata, and I think we managed to get some of it in the end.

Where are sports cars headed in the future?

As we hoped when we introduced the Miata, other manufacturers have followed suit and now I think this special category of automotive fun can be kept for the next generation. I do hope for a better driving environment, though - maybe there will be more toll roads designed for the sheer pleasure of driving sports cars, or better yet a whole village designed around twisty circuits. I'd call it "Miataville," maybe?