1970 Mazda Cosmo Sport Series II L10B Coupe

The Mazda Company was founded in the 1920s, but it was not until 1960 that they began the production of passenger cars. Only four years later, the Japanese firm exhibited its first rotary-engined prototype, having acquired the rights to produce NSU's Wankel-designed engines. The world's first dual-rotor rotary engine production car, the Mazda Cosmo L10A, was officially launched on May 30th, 1967. Mazda felt the Cosmo was a worthy vehicle to showcase the revolutionary Felix Wankel-designed dual rotor passenger-car engine. These were hand-built sports cars that helped propel Mazda to the world's automotive stage. The 982cc twin-rotor engine offered 110 horsepower and gave the two-seater coupe a top speed of 185km/h. In July 1968, a more powerful and faster (128bhp, 193km/h) L10B version on a longer wheelbase was introduced. By the end of its six-year production run, just 1,519 examples were built.

The Mazda Cosmo was a comfortable grand touring car. Wanting to prove the car's performance and reliability, the factory entered two cars in the 1968 Marathon de la Route, an 84-hour test of endurance held at Germany's famed Nürburgring circuit. The Cosmos ran near the top of the field during the entire race, with one retiring in the 82nd hour, the other going on to finish 4th overall behind two works-entered Porsche 911s and a works Lancia Fulvia 1.3 HF.

Of the 1,519 examples produced, 1,176 of those were the Series II L10B version. This particular example is a Series II Cosmo that was first registered in the Hiroshima Prefecture, where Mazda is based, in 1970. The Cosmos were primarily home market cars, and thus, all were produced in right-hand drive configuration. Only six examples were sent to the United States when new.

This example is finished in white (the most popular color) over black vinyl with cloth inserts. It has had several owners in Japan. It received some mechanical refurbishment in 2011, including a restoration of its Zenith carburetor, new spark plugs, cleaning of the gas tank, a new front headlight and rear taillight lens frames, a new battery, and a thorough exterior and engine detailing.

This car left Japan for the first time in its existence to be brought to Bonham's 2015 Scottsdale, Az. sale. When the gavel fell, the car had been sold to a new owner for the sum of $110,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015