US NA/NB Miata Manual Soft-Top Frames and Complete-Donor Assemblies

No NA-to-NB frame supersession or interchange is asserted. The checked NB collision catalog records NC10-R1-100A and NC10-R1-100G as production branches at the VIN 138751 boundary, and the current 2005 catalog retains NC10-R1-100G; this is production/service history, not permission to ignore VIN or installed identity. Complete-top and outer-cover numbers are year, color, material or equipment identities rather than supersessions. Seller pages that advertise 1990-2005 fitment are sourcing claims only.

Start with both VINs, builds and readable frame identities, then keep NA and NB branches separate. For an early NB, stop unless the VIN, production and installed mark resolve the catalog's NC10-R1-100A/G boundary. Separate a bare metal frame/link assembly from an outer fabric/window cover and from a seller-described complete roof. Require an itemized list and clear photos of the header rail, every bow and side link, pivots/rivets, stops, tension cables and springs, body-mount brackets, handles, latches, weatherstrip retainers, rain rail/drip rail, drain tubes, set plates, fabric, rear window/defroster lead, boot and all fasteners; complete does not guarantee any of them. MIA-0006 remains the authority for leak diagnosis, rain-rail, header-seal and latch service, and MIA-0054 remains the removable-hardtop guide. Inspect the frame fully raised and folded by the seller without placing hands near pinch points. Reject unequal or bent bows, twisted header, cracks, elongated pivot holes, loose or seized rivets, binding, corrosion, missing stops/cables, broken mounting ears, unexplained welding/heating, collision or falling-object damage, roll-bar interference, mold/water storage damage, torn fabric, separated seams/window, cloudy or cracked rear window and damaged defroster wiring. Mazda warns to keep hands and fingers away from fastening mechanisms, operate the top only while safely parked, and never drive with it partly folded, uncovered or unlocked. Do not dismantle loaded springs, cables or linkage from this guide. Use a qualified convertible-top/body installer for donor approval, alignment, safe handling and installation; verify seal/latch adjustment and water drainage after fitment.

Replacement vinyl or cloth skins, plastic- or glass-window packages, cables, rain rails and seals are not frame substitutes. Consider them only after a qualified installer confirms the exact NA or NB frame, production, window/fabric configuration, bow and cable pattern, required rain rail and supplied hardware. Do not use an aftermarket skin's broad 1990-2005 listing to infer metal-frame interchange. Custom roll-bar clearancing, chopped bows, fabricated frames, powered conversions and spring/linkage modifications are outside this factory-donor guide.

Match both VINs/builds and readable frame identity. NA NA01-R1-100E and NB NC10-R1-100A/G are separate checked families; broad seller 1990-2005 fitment is not OEM interchange proof. Early NB has a VIN 138751 catalog boundary. Frame, fabric/window cover and complete roof are different contents. Itemize every bow/link, pivot, cable/spring, mount, latch, retainer, rain rail/drain, fabric/window, bracket and fastener. MIA-0006 retains leak/seal/rain-rail/latch service; MIA-0054 retains hardtops. Reject bent, binding, cracked, corroded, welded, collision-damaged or water-stored assemblies. Keep clear of pinch points and loaded linkage; use qualified installation.

Supersede reviewed 12 unique research sources for this guide. 5 also appear above as a seller or official action and are not repeated here; 7 additional citations follow.

Research last verified 2026-07-30.

1. Mellens — 1990 1997 supplementOpen source
2. Trull — NB collision guidepdfOpen source
3. Mazda USA — 2005 mx 5 miata owners manualOpen source
4. Mazdamotorsports — 25 years of exhilarationOpen source
5. PartSouq — diagramOpen source
6. PartSouq — diagramOpen source
7. Mazdapartsnow — folding topOpen source