Yearly Improvements in First Gens
   by Felix Miata
   mrmazda@gate.net

• '80 is notable for giving us electronic (breakerless) ignition and the 80 mph speedometer.
  
  

• '81 is notable for giving us soft bumpers, a full-time voltmeter, a bigger fuel tank, a limited-slip differential, rear disc brakes, a lighter flywheel, a finer thread pitch on everything hydraulic, a catalytic converter instead of a thermal reactor, an "external" transmission shift mechanism, softer springs, and a compact spare.
  
  

• '83 is notable for giving us the garbage oil-to-water oil cooler with engine dowel o-rings that leak, universal joints you can't replace [that's not entirely true -RR], larger clutch, a 130 mph speedometer, and a larger flange to attach the driveshaft to the differential.
  
  

• '84 is notable for giving us the 6-port intake, fuel injection, an improved dash/interior, a 140 mph speedometer, and bigger rear axles & wheel bearings to better handle the increased power.