'74 is a twelve cyl. if I remember...the early ones all had that beautiful, straight six. I learned to drive a manual in my dads, at the Hatfield racetrack (long gone) in PA, when I turned thirteen. I only used a Miata as an extreme example of how much things have changed. I am not a Miata lover (I am 6'3" and 200lbs.) but I have "spec" raced them several times at Robling and Sebring road courses... I am pretty sure it is a faster way around the track. They allow you to brake sooo much later, and carry sooo much more speed thru a curve...you can even get back on the power earlier comming out. The Big Cat just can't compensate with enough in the straights. I dunno...never saw anyone race the two. (Pinks..road course edition) I never dared drive his E-type hard.... but I was in it with him goin' balls out, all opposite lock, chasing a little Alpha at Lime Rock. I think I coulda taken him in a '06 wearing Pilot Cups P.S. we didn't catch the Alpha