Slant six in a Miata ? Why ???

I remember living in town in the late 80s, I had a 71 Pontiac T 37 that I bought cheap,and it isn't like these days,back then a 70s car that was almost 20 years old was in rough shape. Anyway to cut to the point, I couldn't keep the car at grandparents in the yard,they also lived in town, because it was an eyesore, if I somehow built a garage around it it was ok though. I ended up renting a garage for $35 a month at 17 so i could get the car some what in running condition. I did but it took a year and a half,the summer when I was 19 I was on the road with it. It funny and it makes me feel old, but my generation grew up driving V8s. It was alot of power for a 19 year old LOL! Mom used to say "do you have to squeal the tires every time you leave? back to what we were saying though, guys my parents age ruined it,ever hear about guys rebuilding engines in the street,draining the fluids into the storm drains in the 70s LOL!