I have a 1999 Mk 2 1.8 MX5. I’ve owned it for 11 years and when purchased it was fitted with a Nardi Tarino steering wheel. There was no evidence of accident damage to the vehicle although I realise it does not take a great impact to activate an airbag. I wonder if any members know if such a steering wheel was ever factory fitted as standard, as I suspect, the original was replaced at some time before I became the owner. Thanks
Hi, I’ve also got a nardi steering wheel etc. Mine a mk2 1.8 icon. I thought it was factory fitted, but will see if I can find out. I’ve not had any issues with the airbags.
Dave
Thanks for that Dave. It seems strange if we both have similar steering wheel with similar model car. Not sure why Mazda would not want a Mazda steering wheel on the cars when they left the factory. Can’t imagine that they ran out of stock!! Thanks once again.
The Nardi branded steering wheels were standard on the 1.8iS until facelift in 2000, when the iS basically became the Sport, they lost the Nardi badge and were just branded with the Mazda wings logo. They were still the same looking steering wheel shape wise so I suspect that they were still being made by Nardi.
Thanks for that Robbie. That’s clarified the situation. Much obliged for your input.
My 02 sport has a nardi badge.
Is it on the bottom spoke? Doesn’t it have a Mazda logo in the centre? The early ones had the Nardi badge in the centre.
Maybe it was 2nd facelift they changed it…
The Nardi badge is exactly the same as the one in your picture Martin but it is in the centre of the wheel with no other badge on the wheel. I just don’t understand why Mazda did not have their own branded steering wheels on these models. Never heard of this before either with Mazda or other makes but then again probably I haven’t taken much notice.
Confirms my suspicion that the later wheels were still made by Nardi.
Don1, your steering wheel is original.
To be fair, it could be said that the Nardi badge moved from the air bag to the steering wheel itself.