Must-have mod: You can now fit a gated shifter to your NA Mazda MX-5

For years, the Mazda MX-5 has been one of the most modifiable cars out there, especially so when it comes to the first-gen 'NA' model. However, a gated manual shifter is one mod which hasn't yet existed for it.

Well, at least not until now. A brand new startup by the name of Minottek has been created solely (for now) to offer a complete gated shifter kit for the legendary Japanese sports car.

Inspired by experiencing a gated shifter for the first time in a Ferrari 360, as company founder Ryan Conforti told Road & Track, his experience working for a business that produces parts for exotic cars means the top-notch quality of this shifter kit is no surprise.

Priced at A$885, although on backorder until mid-April due to its overnight success, the kit has been designed to fit like an OEM item, with rubber seals ensuring rattle-free operation, and a surrounding trim piece to help it blend right in.

Over 200 hours of development went into developing the complete gated shifter kit, including more than 20 revisions to the gated shift pattern (Image: Minottek)

Minottek claims over 200 hours of development work went into the kit, including more than 20 revisions to the gated shift pattern to ensure that perfect click sound.

One of the development cars for it also had over 320,000km on the clock with original motor mounts, meaning the shifter will be able to handle the drivetrain's movements in any MX-5.

While mentioned before that this is the company's only product for now, Conforti did tell Road & Track that with the formula figured out for such a conversion now, he hopes to be able to progress to the second-gen NB MX-5 next.

Other cars such as the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86, and Honda S2000 have also been much-requested by potential customers.

Is this the next must-have mod for the MX-5? (Image: Minottek)