A shuttered elementary school in Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, is set to begin a new life this summer as a museum celebrating some of Â鶹´«Ã½ most iconic and rare sports cars.
On Aug. 23, the Sportscar Jinba-Ittai Museum will hold a preopening event at the school in the city¡¯s Takamiya district. The?term jinba-ittai?¡ª literally meaning ¡°a horse and a rider as one¡± ¡ª was a key concept behind the development of Mazda¡¯s Roadster two-seater convertible, known overseas as the MX-5 or MX-5 Miata. It embodies the company¡¯s philosophy of seamless harmony between a car and its driver.
Helping lead the museum project is Takao Kijima, 77, a former chief engineer of the Roadster and a legendary figure among automotive enthusiasts. Kijima relocated to Takamiya in April to help transform the community into what organizers hope will become a new pilgrimage site for motorsports fans.
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