The Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in the 1920s, but the series production of passenger cars did not begin until 1960. Just four years later, Mazda introduced the rear-wheel-drive, two-seat Cosmo Sport at the Tokyo Motor Show. It had attractive and modern styling with a sweeping roofline, bumper-split taillights, a sporty stance, fish-like gills on the front quarters, simple lines, and a pronounced greenhouse. The mechanical components were equally modern and daring, with the heart being a Wankel rotary powerplant. Mazda licensed the Wankel from Germany's NSU, and the Japanese company further developed the design, improving durability and reliability. The Cosmo was the first production feature to be powered by a twin-rotor rotary engine. The Wankel was named after NSU engineer Felix Wankel and are lauded for their free, high revving ability as well as the high output relative to the size and weight. For all of its successes, the Wankel was plagued by reliability issues, dooming its widespread adoption in the automotive industry. Mazda believed in the engine and was the only major company to employ rotary engines in mass production, continuing through the RX-8.
Coupe
Chassis #: L10A-10074
View info and history
Auction entries : 1The first generation of hand-built Cosmo production is referred to as the Series I/L10, and just 343 were built. The two-rotor engine offered 110 horsepower from just 982cc of displacement. Zero-to-sixty was impressive, taking 8.2 seconds and having a top speed of 114 mph. The 930-kilogram two-seater had a four-speed manual transmission and an independent front suspension with a deDion rear end. Disc brakes were in the front, with drums at the rear. In July of 1968, a more powerful 128-horsepower L10B version was introduced, resting on a longer wheelbase. During its production lifespan, 1,176 examples were built.In 1968, the Mazda factory entered two Cosmo cars in the 1968 Marathon de la Route, an 84-hour test of endurance held at Germany's Nürburgring circuit. During the entire race, the Cosmos ran near the front of the field. One retired in the 82nd hour, and the other finished 4th overall behind two works-entered Porsche 911s and a works Lancia Fulvia 1.3 HF. Mazda had proven the reliability of the Wankel engine and had showcased its 'halo' car on an international stage.
by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020
Coupe
Chassis #: L10A-10074
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020
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Mazda Monthly Sales Volume
March 2024
37,119
February 2024
32,705
January 2024
30,279
December 2023
39,518
November 2023
27,715
October 2023
23,504
September 2023
28,031
August 2023
30,174
June 2023
29,786
May 2023
33,262
April 2023
32,351
March 2023
34,778
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