The Mazda Miata has long been celebrated for its balance, simplicity, and lightweight design, making it an appealing foundation for creative reinterpretations. While the roadster is typically associated with Japanese engineering and minimalist styling, one Spanish coachbuilder offered a dramatically different vision by reshaping the Miata into a classic European-inspired grand tourer.
To commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2022, Hurtan Automóviles transformed the fourth-generation Mazda Miata ND into a bespoke roadster called the Grand Albaycín 30th Anniversary Special Edition. The conversion replaced the Miata’s familiar modern bodywork with flowing, retro-styled panels influenced by historic European sports cars such as the Jaguar XK120 and Alfa Romeo 6C. The result was a vehicle that retained the Miata’s proportions and mechanical layout while adopting a distinctly vintage character.
Production was reportedly limited to just six hand-built examples completed in Spain, instantly placing the Grand Albaycín among the rarest Miata-based creations ever produced. Buyers were offered two configurations, Heritage and Bespoke, each emphasizing a different balance of luxury and sportiness. Exterior paint options were limited to midnight blue, cherry red, or lead gray, while interior choices included beige or tobacco brown upholstery. Anniversary-specific details included embroidered seat badging marking Hurtan’s three decades of production.
Mechanically, the car remained rooted in Mazda’s proven platform. Power came from the Miata’s naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engines, with buyers able to choose between a 1.5-liter unit producing approximately 129 horsepower or a larger 2.0-liter engine delivering 181 horsepower. Both engines sent power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, with an automatic option available for select 2.0-liter and Targa variants.
Hurtan indicated that each vehicle required roughly six months to complete, reflecting the labor-intensive nature of the transformation. Official pricing for the anniversary edition was never released, though standard Grand Albaycín models reportedly started at around €59,000 for the smaller engine and climbed to approximately €82,300 for 2.0-liter versions, suggesting a significant premium over a factory Miata.
As the Miata recently marked its 35th anniversary and speculation grows about its next generation, Hurtan’s ultra-rare reinterpretation stands as an example of how the iconic roadster continues to inspire designers far beyond its Japanese roots.