#rh wheels

Been 5 years since I’ve posted.

Dustin Black’s 2004 Mazda Miata ls

photos by Cade Garrett, Landon McFarland, and Tony Gomez

  Like many auto enthusiasts growing up, Dustin’s father often recruited his assistance when wrenching in their garage.  This in turn sparked his interest in cars and later got him connected him with a closely knit group of friends who all shared his automotive passion.  At the core of the present day “scene”, this is what it’s all about!  NOT about the “social media blow-up’s”, as Dustin would say.  Because all those naysayers contribute is commentary about how they would’ve modified YOUR car differently, or how they could’ve done it better.

  Either way, you might ask, “Why a Miata?”  For some Mazda drivers it’s about AutoX, and for others it’s all about compact, sporty appearance.  For Dustin, his mind was made up at the age of 13 when driving the NB Mazda Miata in ‘Need for Speed Underground 2’.  Though it wasn’t actually for another 7 years, at the age of 20, that he was able to make his video game obsession into a reality.  Dustin found that Miata’s lived up to the hype, but that his needed a few accommodations for his height.  A modified the driver’s seat and new Nardi steering wheel easily accommodated his larger frame, and soon after installing a painted OEM hardtop, front lip kit, and rear window spoiler his vision started coming together.

  Dustin chose RH Wheels because he wanted something rarely (if ever) seen on a Miata, although his budget only allowed for buying something that required refinishing.  Lucky for us, that’s what Save the Wheels is all about!  Dustin randomly stumbled across some used RH’s for what one might consider “dirt cheap”.  So certainly LESS than what a set of new Replica wheels would cost...  For the pressure cast, monoblock wheels, the refinishing wasn’t overly complicated.  But it did include completely stripping the wheels and sanding down the imperfections, laying down a white base coat, and then a nice clear with red metallic fleck. RH Wheels is a quality-focused, German company that’s been in the automotive industry for decades.  Their wheels are often seen on Porsche and other VAG applications, but as mentioned -- infrequently on Mazda’s.  We can certainly appreciate Dustin’s wheel choice; it’s clean but understated, and blends well with the rest of the theme.

  Dustin’s future plans include upgrading some interior bits, a 6-speed swap, 3.9 torsion rear differential, and engine swap with wire tuck.  He also envisions some Enkei 92’s for daily driving, at which time we’ll need to reconnect for another photoshoot.

  2004 Mazda Miata ls

Rokkor coilovers

OEM Hardtop

OEM Lip Kit

RH AD Cup wheels, 16x9, +45

32mm adapter (front)

38mm adapter AND 10mm spacer (rear)

Strait Axle-Back Exhaust

NRG steering wheel

Cold Air Intake

Slight engine bay tuck