THE JAPANESE largely built their motoring empire by copying Western designs. Datsun (now Nissan) started making cars in 1931, building Austins under licence, and Isuzu used to make Wolsleys.

When they couldn't licence a rival model directly, the Japanese shipped them back to the Far East where they were meticulously dismantled to see what made them tick before work started on a home grown rival.

So when Mazda decided to reinvent the small open-top sports car ten years ago, it was inevitable the starting point should be a British classic: the Lotus Elan.

A plastic bodied Elan was all that was chic about the British motor industry in the 1960s. It was small, nippy and great fun to drive.

Mazda tracked down a couple of much-treasured Elans, crated them up and flew them back to Japan. The British classics provided the inspiration behind a perky little two seater that became the Mazda MX5.

Since its debut in 1990, the MX5 has gone on to become something of a latter day classic itself.

Until the MGF arrived the MX5 had the open-top market pretty much sewn up.

It's also a mark of just how good the original MX5 was that when Mazda decided on a second generation version very little had to be changed.

It looks a bit tougher. From the doors back there are definite hints of the old RX7 supercar, the tyres are wider and the pop up headlamps have been dumped in favour of more fashionable fared-in lights, breaking a link to the old Elan.

The revised MX5 is just as much fun as it ever was. The 1,800cc four-cylinder engine is punchy and flexible, the stubby little gearstick rattles through the gears as fast as your left arm can move and power-assisted steering responds in a flash.

Its even light on the juice, a crucial requirement in these days of the £4 gallon. A 1.8i model should do almost 45mpg driven lightly. That can drop to about 25mpg if you make full use of the engine while enjoying the spirited handling.

Of course open-top sports cars are brilliant in summer but what about when it's lashing down with rain? A canvas roof can be a right pain in the sort of weather we have to endure in the North-East and a frosty morning plays havoc with visibility.

Japanese build quality puts paid to the problems of leaks and I'm happy to report that cold mornings shouldn't be a problem, either. The rear windscreen is made of glass (not cheapo plastic) and there's a heating element to clear any fogging. A beefy heater is well up to the job of keeping feet warm in chilly conditions.

In keeping with the "pared to the bone" feel, the interior is functional but never fussy. A radio-cassette and electric windows are about the only genuine luxuries you'll find on board.

So why would anyone want to buy an MX5? It only has two-seats, the boot is difficult to load and rather small, and the canvas roof means it will never be as refined as a tintop. All of which is rather missing the point a bit.

An MX5 isn't about practicalities. It's about having fun. It offers everything a Lotus Elan offered to drivers in the 1960s. Only it's more reliable, easier on the gas, kinder to the environment and safer to drive. Above all it's an absolute joy to drive. And if that isn't reason enough to buy one, I don't know what is