Murican trucks are pavement princess short-bed towtrucks rather than haulers and offroaders now, sadly. I'd love an affordable open-bed hauler with some modern creature comforts (good AC, heated steering wheel, defrosting windshield/rear-window, ventilated seats, android auto, relatively low bed-height for easy loading)

That's should read Yank Tank or Emotional support vehicle

I don't have the skills to do this kind of thing, but I would.

this one makes me sad, because the DS is so mechanically clever and sleek looking... they've ripped out the neat innards and offset all the panels :(

One of my neighbors jacked up an old school VW bug. The thing is the same height as my sprinter van, or 96" / 8' tall. It's totally ridiculous and awesome at the same time. He normally has it parked at his shop, since he built it as an advertisement of what he can do, so I can't provide a picture right now, but I will try to remember to post a pic when I can.

i hate that was i born too late to use "fucks" as adjective of estimation.

There's two ways: Modify a Miata; Make something look like a Miata.

Most would think it's easier to modify a Miata. That's sorta true. One could relatively easily replace the suspension, rims, and tires to make it look like the OP. But, the first time it's off-road it'll likely bend the frame.

The frame needs to be reinforced to function off road. That's generally a huge pain in the ass. It's much easier to shorten the frame of an existing SUV or light truck then attach the Miata's body and panels to it. It's much easier to make a truck look like a Miata than make a Miata into a truck.

But, this particular vehicle is very lightweight. Frame reinforcement might be much easier. A Miata hobbyist or Mazda mechanic would know because there's likely only one way that makes good sense for this specific model. My best guess is that because the Miata frame needed very little it was chosen for this purpose. I'd guess it's a modified Miata.

Next time ask the owner anything. Everyone who owns something like this is dying to tell others all about it.

I do not know. I was at Silver Lake State Park sand dunes in MI and there were a TON of crazy homemade and custom vehicles flying around the dunes.

When there's a drill there's a way.

And between "my buddy cleetus PAID me to take trash off his hands and I turned it in to a sick off-road Miata" and "I have mortgaged my home twice, my wife left me, and I owe 350,000 dollars to some shady Iranians on top of that"

Matrix: Reloaded

That's badass.

Beauty is subjective, friend. I take no issue with your views.