Designer and 'Father' of the Mazda Miata, Tom Matano, Passes Away at 76

Designer and 'Father' of the Mazda Miata, Tom Matano, Passes Away at 76

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      Tsutomu “Tom” Matano, the visionary behind iconic Mazda sports cars such as the Miata and FD RX-7, passed away on September 20 at the age of 76.

      Widely regarded as “the Father of the Miata,” Matano played a crucial role in its development alongside Bob Hall. However, his career encompassed various automakers. After earning an engineering degree from Tokyo’s Seikei University in 1969, he relocated to California to study design at the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena before joining General Motors in 1974. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Australia to work for Holden, where he developed liveries for the brand’s touring cars, among other responsibilities, before heading to BMW in Munich, contributing to the E36 3 Series development.

      Yet, it was Matano’s time at Mazda that truly defined his legacy, inspiring countless automotive enthusiasts and professionals. He began as Mazda North America's Chief Designer in 1983 and spent the following 20 years rising through the ranks until he managed Mazda’s global design team. During this period, he was responsible for iconic models such as the original NA and second-generation NB Miata, as well as the third-generation FD RX-7. By the time he left Mazda in 2002, he had also taken on the role of Executive Director of the Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design in San Francisco.

      A significant aspect of why Matano’s passing resonates deeply within the automotive community is his continued involvement up to the end of his life. He was a familiar presence at public events, particularly among Miata enthusiasts. In the last two days, social media and enthusiast forums have been filled with heartfelt tributes, memories, and photos of Matano interacting with those inspired by his work.

      Rest in peace, Tom—you will be greatly missed, but your legacy will undoubtedly endure. To conclude, I would like to share a quote from an interview he gave to Auto & Design in 2023 that reflects his philosophy, especially resonant for anyone like me who aspired to design cars as he did:

      “We must start over from the human. From the users’ real needs, above all, from offering them solutions in a ‘warm’ and in some ways ’empathetic’ way. I remember that when I drew the lines of one of the Mazdas I worked on, the RX-7 FD, I was deliberately envisioning an athletic but not overly muscular body, as if it needed to be washed gently. I achieved a result that inspired affection: the owners kept it in the garage with smiles on their faces. My point is, design should never lose this intent.”

      Tom Matano. Academy of Art University

Designer and 'Father' of the Mazda Miata, Tom Matano, Passes Away at 76 Designer and 'Father' of the Mazda Miata, Tom Matano, Passes Away at 76

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Tsutomu “Tom” Matano, the visionary behind iconic Mazda sports cars such as the Miata and FD RX-7, passed away on September 20 at the age of 76. Widely regarded as “the Father of the Miata,” Matano played a crucial role in its development alongside Bob Hall. However, his career encompassed various automakers. After earning an engineering degree from Tokyo’s Seikei University in 1969, he relocated to California to study design at the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena before joining General Motors in 1974. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Australia to work for Holden, where he developed liveries for the brand’s touring cars, among other responsibilities, before heading to BMW in Munich, contributing to the E36 3 Series development. Yet, it was Matano’s time at Mazda that truly defined his legacy, inspiring countless automotive enthusiasts and professionals. He began as Mazda North America's Chief Designer in 1983 and spent the following 20 years rising through the ranks until he managed Mazda’s global design team. During this period, he was responsible for iconic models such as the original NA and second-generation NB Miata, as well as the third-generation FD RX-7. By the time he left Mazda in 2002, he had also taken on the role of Executive Director of the Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design in San Francisco. A significant aspect of why Matano’s passing resonates deeply within the automotive community is his continued involvement up to the end of his life. He was a familiar presence at public events, particularly among Miata enthusiasts. In the last two days, social media and enthusiast forums have been filled with heartfelt tributes, memories, and photos of Matano interacting with those inspired by his work. Rest in peace, Tom—you will be greatly missed, but your legacy will undoubtedly endure. To conclude, I would like to share a quote from an interview he gave to Auto & Design in 2023 that reflects his philosophy, especially resonant for anyone like me who aspired to design cars as he did: “We must start over from the human. From the users’ real needs, above all, from offering them solutions in a ‘warm’ and in some ways ’empathetic’ way. I remember that when I drew the lines of one of the Mazdas I worked on, the RX-7 FD, I was deliberately envisioning an athletic but not overly muscular body, as if it needed to be washed gently. I achieved a result that inspired affection: the owners kept it in the garage with smiles on their faces. My point is, design should never lose this intent.” Tom Matano. Academy of Art University Mazda The most significant automotive news and reviews, without any fluff. Subscribe to our complimentary daily newsletter, delivering the essential stories directly to you every weekday. Tsutomu “Tom” Matano, the visionary behind iconic Mazda sports cars such as the Miata and FD RX-7, passed away on September 20 at the age of 76. Widely regarded as “the Father of the Miata,” Matano played a crucial role in its development alongside Bob Hall. However, his career encompassed various automakers. After earning an engineering degree from Tokyo’s Seikei University in 1969, he relocated to California to study design at the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena before joining General Motors in 1974. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Australia to work for Holden, where he developed liveries for the brand’s touring cars, among other responsibilities, before heading to BMW in Munich, contributing to the E36 3 Series development. Yet, it was Matano’s time at Mazda that truly defined his legacy, inspiring countless automotive enthusiasts and professionals. He began as Mazda North America's Chief Designer in 1983 and spent the following 20 years rising through the ranks until he managed Mazda’s global design team. During this period, he was responsible for iconic models such as the original NA and second-generation NB Miata, as well as the third-generation FD RX-7. By the time he left Mazda in 2002, he had also taken on the role of Executive Director of the Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design in San Francisco. A significant aspect of why Matano’s passing resonates deeply within the automotive community is his continued involvement up to the end of his life. He was a familiar presence at public events, particularly among Miata enthusiasts. In the last two days, social media and enthusiast forums have been filled with heartfelt tributes, memories, and photos of Matano interacting with those inspired by his work. Rest in peace, Tom—you will be greatly missed, but your legacy will undoubtedly endure. To conclude, I would like to share a quote from an interview he gave to Auto & Design in 2023 that reflects his philosophy, especially resonant for anyone like me who aspired to design cars as he did: “We must start over from the human. From the users’ real needs, above all, from offering them solutions in a ‘warm’ and in some ways ’empathetic’ way. I remember that when I drew the lines of one of the Mazdas I worked on, the RX-7 FD, I was deliberately envisioning an athletic but not overly muscular body, as if it needed to be washed gently. I achieved a result that inspired affection: the owners kept it in the garage with smiles on their faces. My point is, design should never lose this intent.” Tom Matano. Academy of Art University This 25-year-old classic hot rod was full of character, but lacked in power. This modification addresses that issue. 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Designer and 'Father' of the Mazda Miata, Tom Matano, Passes Away at 76

Beyond being the designer of one of the most significant sports cars in history, Matano interacted with fans and guided students aspiring to emulate his career.