When the Mazda MX5 was launched in 1989, sports cars enthusiasts gave thanks. Safety regulations had virtually killed off the traditional roadster in the early 1970s, and if you wanted the wind in your hair the choice seemed limited to a four-seater convertible that looked like a pram. Hopes were pinned on the launch of a new MG - but the MX-5 got there first. The car is a star. Here is the full story, from genesis and model evolution to ownership, with all the possibilities that offers.