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The Mazda Miata is the perfect blank canvas for those who want to create a unique car.

Released in 1989, the Mazda Miata became the quintessential two-seater sports car, borrowing heavily from the design of the earlier, but simply excellent Lotus Elan. Also known as the MX-5 or Eunos in other world markets, the little car would captivate owners will nimble handling, a selection of keen engines and the ability to outshine vehicles that cost ten times more.

Considered to be one of a handful of Japanese cars that were game-changers, the Miata provided an affordable entry point for those seeking drop-top roadster thrills on a strict budget. Those who bought one could experience the type of motoring experience usually reserved for those with a swollen bank balance, as here was a car that offered poise, performance, and a manufacturer's sporting pedigree without wallet wilting costs.

Despite its fantastic off-the-shelf prowess, the Miata could almost be viewed as the motoring equivalent of a blank canvas, a highly capable car that is just begging to be wrenched on and improved. Mechanically simple, it provides a superb base for those looking to tackle their first build or those that wish to go all out and create a truly exciting project car. Thanks to an enormous fan following, there is an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to selecting parts from third-party suppliers. If you can dream it, then it is likely that you can build it and with that in mind these are the coolest mods for your Mazda Miata.

For those that have no experience or history of modifying cars, then the little Mazda Miata provides an excellent starting point to get stuck, allowing for a foundation of basic skills and knowledge to be learned without breaking the bank.

With suitable project cars available for a few hundred bucks, the basics can quickly be mastered with a swift oil change, spark plug swap or upgrade, plus the fitting of a cold-air induction kit as a suitable starting point for a refresh and a few more horses.

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Anyone looking to get the most from a car will look at the suspension setup, which, although excellent in factory specification on the Mazda Miata, can be improved upon to deliver a sharper feel, better grip, and more control at speed.

To complement the new, more focused suspension setup, most modifiers swap out the brakes, either looking at uprated pads and discs or simply going for a much bigger setup, laying the foundation for an increase in horsepower.

With the induction kit pulling in more cold air, fitting an aftermarket manifold to the naturally aspirated engine will improve internal exhaust flow, allowing for improved bhp output and torque delivery throughout the entire rev range.

Combining the new manifold with a free-flowing sports exhaust will additionally boost power whilst providing a wonderfully raspy soundtrack that will make the Miata sound like it has escaped from the nearest racing paddock.

If cutting up a track or knitting together a favorite series of silky tarmac apexes isn't really going to cut it, then why not pump up the ride height? Fit adjustable air suspension and some reinforced under skirting and head off-road.

If posing is more your thing, just air-bag each corner, whack on a huge set of highly-polished wheels, detail the bodywork, and slam your ride to the road before heading out in search of a suitable Instagram post-worthy backdrop.

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Despite being a heated discussion point for many Miata owners, the benefits of forced induction over staying naturally aspirated are immediately evident when both costs and future upgradability options are thrown into the mix.

All-in-one kits can be bought off the shelf, but they still take a favor amount of work to fit properly. Once installed, an owner can look at a reliable power output between 180-250hp without too much stress on other standard parts.

If chasing big power numbers isn't too much of a concern, then strapping a supercharger to the Miata engine might be a more suitable way of providing a healthy dollop of horsepower over the standard output numbers.

Suffering no lag when compared to their turbocharged cousins, a supercharger delivers a more linear powerband with flatter torque curves, plus when the throttle is planted you get an instant response accompanied by that awesome and addictive whine.

What the Miata really needs though to unleash its full potential is a twin-turbocharged LS3 V8 that will pump out around 650hp, allowing for afternoons baiting supercars into pointless races as thick rubber elevens follow it everywhere.

Then again, a three-figure power output is a bit lame, so why not butcher a generation three sibling Mazda RX7 for its twin-turbo rotary engine? Rebuild the internals and revel in the fact that the race specification engine bestows the Miata with 1200hp.

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When it comes to stamping a style on a Miata, the only thing holding back the creative juices are the owners. Limited only by their own lack of creativity, a Miata can be modified to represent whatever wild ideas spring to mind.

Whether it be a rocket bunny kit, the slick streetfighter look, or a more stripped back left out in rain to rot effect, there are parts to fit and paints to suit. Then, if an owner gets bored or styles change, they can just chop and change once again.

An outstanding feature of the standard car across all generations is the factory-fitted transmission being both crisp and precise to use. It is capable of taking moderate power increases without giving much trouble to owners.

Simply adding a short-shift kit will reduce throw by 40%, while splashing out on a competition gearbox will give users the option to reduce the 0-60 mph run, extend the top speed and totally transform the Miata's in gear drive.

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While big engines, forced induction, rotary swaps, and even strapping on some nitrous bottles might all be a tempting option, it's all a bit last decade. An old-school solution that has been seen and done before, so why not be different.

UK-based Zero EV have ripped out the old-fashioned gasoline heart and replaced it with a much greener 26 kWh battery motor delivering 107 hp, a range of 100 miles chargeable in 4 hours, and a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds.

Having cut his teeth on the UK street racing scene in the late 90's and early 00's RJ faded from the limelight only to return 20 years later. An avid motoring enthusiast RJ especially enjoys JDM and Italian cars, and is an experienced multi-industry writer.