JDM Origins

Happy Aniversary My Fairlady Z

Chacko Xiong — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:15:58 +0000

If you wanted a sports car in America four decades ago, you either bought various European models or stuck with the Corvette. Back then, sports cars were one of two things, expensive or unreliable, and did not include the words “Made in Japan”. With the invasion of the 240Z into the US market, Japanese sports cars would go on to change that image.

On October 22, 1969, the Datsun 240Z was introduced to America. For a mere $3,626 base price (approximately $21,500 today) the average Joe could come home with a state-of-the-art Japanese sports car. Sold as a 1970 model, a carburated 2.4L SOHC straight-six powered 150-horsepower through either a 4-speed “standard” or 3-speed automatic transmission. Keeping all that horsepower to the ground was a 4-wheel independent suspension and 175 SR 14 radial tires wrapped around 14″ x 4.5″ steelies. Thanks to the rack-and-pinion steering, front disc brakes and stiff hardtop chassis, the 240Z was also a nimble and responsive sports car.

On the inside, a wooden shift-knob and steering wheel complimented the driver’s controls while the vinyl covered the high-back bucket seats and the door panels. RPM and speedometer gauges were set deep within the dash while a pod of gauges lined the very top of the middle console. From the driver’s bucket seat all the mission critical factors could be seen with a quick glance.

For god sakes, we’re the only company that owns a letter of the alphabet! We’ve got to do this.

Jerry Hirshberg
Former President, Nissan Design America

The 240Z became an instant hit at dealerships as the reliable, stylish and exciting sports car that was incredibly affordable. It was so popular that it was one of the first Japanese cars that American buyers were willing to pay more than sticker price for. Over 16,000 units would sell that first year and double that during the year after.

To celebrate the 40-year mark of the Z-car, Nissan recently announced an upcoming 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition for 2010. Although the new Z packs a bit more punch than the original with it’s 3.7-liter 332 horsepower DOHC V6 engine and a few extra gears (6-speed in manual, 7-speed in automatic), it still offers the same essence of a sports car as it did back then.

It will also include the Sports Package that comes with the front chin spoiler and rear spoiler, plus a handful of performance upgrades. Such goodies include 19″ Rays Aluminum-Alloy wheels to clear the larger sport brakes, and a rear limited-slip-differential. Nissan states that the Anniversary Edition will be limited in production but has not released an official sticker price yet.

PRESS RELEASE

Nissan Celebrates Four Decades of Sports Car Leadership With New, Limited Edition 370Z “40th Anniversary” Model

October 15th 2009-Franklin, Tenn. – Forty Years After the Debut of the Original Datsun 240Z, the Iconic Z® Continues to Capture the Imagination and Passion of Sports Car Enthusiasts Worldwide

The 25th anniversary is silver, the 50th is gold. And the 40th? Another precious metal, or more correctly metal, rubber and glass – the Nissan Z®. Forty years ago, on October 22, 1969, the Datsun 240Z arrived in North America, heralding a new era in sports car design.

Where previous sports cars were primarily a.) imported from England or Germany b.) expensive c.) fragile or unreliable or d.) all of the above, the new import from Japan offered the performance of a Porsche, the looks of a Jaguar and the price and reliability of, well, a Nissan. The 240Z was a revelation to the automotive world – an affordable sports car that could be driven every day and was accessible to anyone with the $3,626 base price.

And though the price of a new Z® might have changed a little in the past 40 years, its unmatched value, style, performance and segment leadership remains stronger than ever. To celebrate, Nissan has created a special, limited production version of the current 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. It will be available at select Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in spring 2010.

“Throughout the history of the automobile, a rare handful of cars stand apart as vehicles that not only capture the imagination of the world but also embody the essence of the automaker’s brand, engineering and ideals. The Z® is just such a vehicle,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

Changing Times – Literally
When the original Datsun 240Z debuted as a 1970 model, its design and performance were considered state-of-the-art: a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter single overhead cam inline 6-cylinder engine, 4-wheel independent suspension, 14-inch wheels, choice of a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, and a quarter-mile acceleration time of 17.1 seconds at 84.5 miles per hour. The 240Z was conceived as a closed coupe body, rather than the typical open-top sports cars of the age, to enhance body rigidity and, therefore, improve handling and durability.

Needless to say, a lot has changed. Today’s definition of state-of-the-art, as expressed in the sixth generation Nissan 370Z, includes a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension with extensive use of aluminum components, available 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels, choice of 6-speed manual transmission with innovative SynchroRev Match™ or refined 7-speed automatic and independent quarter-mile acceleration times of 13.5 seconds at 106.6 miles per hour. And today, the recently introduced 370Z Roadster – with its automatic-operation fully lined cloth top, offers nearly the same body rigidity and performance as the rock-solid 370Z Coupe.

Also, where the 240Z offered what many considered “luxuries” in a sports car – including roll-up windows and radio, today’s 370Z is offered with items such as Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Start, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio and an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather® (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Zagat® restaurant guide, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and a USB fort for iPod® connectivity.

About the Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition
The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition starts out as a 370Z Coupe Touring model equipped with manual transmission and Sport Package (including SynchroRev Match™, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential) and adds a premium “40th Quartz” exterior color and red leather-appointed interior.

Additional exclusive equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside, along with the red leather-appointed seats are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Z® also comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.

Pricing of the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be announced closer to its on-sale date next spring.

A Brief History: Six Generations of Z®
The journey from the original 240Z to the current 370Z, of course, made a number of interesting stops along the past 40 years. Interestingly, the 240Z might not have made the journey to America in the first place, if not for the efforts of one man.

Though many, many people were responsible for the design and engineering of the first generation 240Z, its success in North America can be attributed to Yutaka Katayama, who was president of Nissan’s U.S. operations at the time. Known affectionately as “Mr. K,” he was convinced that the company’s new sports car design would be a hit in the U.S. There was just one problem – the vehicle’s name: the Fairlady Z (which is still used in the Japanese market today).

With a name change for this market to “240Z” and some aggressive marketing, including early motorsports success, the Z® became an instant hit – bringing attention and buyers not just to Z®, but also to the entire brand.

After overseeing Nissan’s growth in the U.S. in the ‘70s, Katayama returned to Japan and remains, to this day, linked to the Z®’s success here and around the world. On September 15th, 2009, Mr. K celebrated his 100th birthday and received cards and birthday greetings from Z® lovers everywhere.

In 1974, as the engine displacement climbed to 2.6 liters the name changed to 260Z. The 2+2 model with an extended roofline and tiny back seat also appeared. In 1975, engine size increased again to 2.8 liters and the name changed to 280Z. Z® cars continued to dominate on the racetrack, with Pete Brock, John Morton, Bob Sharp and P.L. (Paul) Newman among the many talented drivers.

Z® sales continued to climb with the introduction in 1979 of the new second generation 280ZX. Now priced at just under $10,000, the 280ZX was named Motor Trend “Import Car of the Year” and sales passed 86,000 units. T-tops and a turbocharged engine followed in the early ‘80s.

In 1984, Z® engine displacement increased again, with a 3.0-liter V6 replacing the classic Z® inline-6, and the 300ZX was born. Also, a specially equipped model celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary and priced at $25,999 was introduced. The 1984 Z® was the best selling sports car in America.

The next breakthrough in Z® history came in 1990 with the arrival of the totally redesigned, fourth generation 300ZX. Offered in two-seat and four-seat 2+2 models, it offered an unheard of 222 horsepower and a top speed of 150 mph. A few months later, the 300ZX Turbo followed – with 300 horsepower, a 160-mph top speed and a $33,000 price tag.

The 1990 300ZX captured the Z®’s second Motor Trend “Import Car of the Year” award, along with a spot on Car and Driver and Road & Track “10 Best” lists. The 300ZX also captured Automobile’s “Design of the Year” and the first of four “All-Stars” awards.

By the mid-‘90s, however, sports car sales in general were slowing and the Z® had lost its “affordable” sports car positioning. With Z® sales declining sharply and the core “value” positioning no longer part of the “Z® DNA,” sales of the Z® in the U.S. slumped and sales were stopped following the 1996 model year. The last 300ZX imported into the U.S. was inducted into the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The next chapter of the Z® history came just before the end of the century. In 1999, Nissan and Renault formed what has become the highly successful Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Mr. Carlos Ghosn was assigned by Renault to head the new management team. Among his first tasks was not just to look at the business aspects, but to find the “soul” of the company. In interview after interview, people inside and outside the company brought up one model to him, one letter: Z®.

Development of the new Z® began later that year, with the return to the values of the original 240Z – a car that sports car enthusiasts would look forward to driving everyday; quick, inspiring and affordable.

In summer 2002, the Z® was reborn with the introduction of the 2003 350Z. It was delivered, as promised, with an MSRP of under $30,000.

Following the 350Z’s unprecedented success, the sixth generation Z®, the 2009 370Z was launched last December. Now the little sports car that could comes full circle with the announcement of the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition.

“It’s almost inconceivable that it has been 40 years since the original 240Z changed the course of Nissan and the concept of affordable, everyday sports cars,” said Castignetti. “In a year, 1969, marked by the first man to walk on the moon, the 240Z made a remarkable first step of its own. Happy anniversary, Z®.”

CONTACT: Nissan North America, Inc.

Toyota FT86 at Nurburgring

Chacko Xiong — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:11:56 +0000

We featured the FT-86 last week with photos of the prototype. Now the first ever video of the Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 086a test mule at the Nurburgring. Looks quite promising for a track car!

Gran Turismo 5: Toyota FT-86 Concept Video

Chacko Xiong — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:18:16 +0000

A quick look at a new car and new tracks for Gran Turismo 5, featuring the Toyota FT-86 Concept car.

Classic Comeback: FT-86 Concept

Chacko Xiong — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:02:33 +0000

A quarter of a century ago, Toyota released the Toyota Corolla (better known as the Trueno or Sprinter in Japan). The car would eventually go on to be highly successful in various motorsports around the world and more notably become an icon of the drift motorsports scene. With it’s nimble front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout coupled with a spunky 1.6L 4AGE engine, it remains the underdogs’ weapon of choice.

Although there has been a lot of hopes that Toyota would return to it’s roots with small rear-wheel-drive coupes perhaps under the Scion badge, the brand came without any real performance models worthy of the car enthusiasts’ fanfare. That is until last Tuesday when Toyota officially revealed that there was truth in the rumors about a revival of the iconic sports coupe.

The FT-86 Concept, a joint development project with Subaru, will debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon next month with plans that the production model will be within dealer showrooms by late 2011. Toyota hasn’t said much about the FT-86 yet, but it has been long rumored that Toyota’s RWD chassis will be powered by a Subaru-derived 2-Liter boxer four in naturally aspirated form.

Surely it is us — the automakers — who have abandoned our passion for cars.

-Akio Toyoda
President of Toyota Motor Corp.

Drawing inspiration directly from the AE86 sports coupe, the FT-86 concept was designed by Toyota’s European Design Development (ED2) studio in Nice, France and features many of the design cues from Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 2007.

Subaru has not commented yet whether or not they will add their all-wheel-drive system but has confirmed that the styling will be distinct. Other confirmations of the concept to production is a six-speed manual transmission and 2+2 seating arrangement.

A few days earlier, Mr. Toyoda made criticism on the lack of excitement in the industry saying that, “Surely it is us — the automakers — who have abandoned our passion for cars”. Already the industry is buzzing with delight that Toyota has made a move back in the right direction.

If you just can’t wait until 2011 to drive the production model, you can take a virtual test-drive of it in Gran Turismo 5. Plus, you get to skip the Toyota and Subaru salespeople too. (Not that we don’t like sales people, they just don’t like us, especially when we take every gear to redline.)

More pictures:

Video (added 10/19):

What Did You Miss at JCCS 2009?

Chacko Xiong — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:32:45 +0000

For many people in Irvine, California, October 3rd 2009 was just another sunny day in SoCal but for a few thousand fanatics it was a stroll through Japanese classic car heaven. Although St. Peter wasn’t there to greet the crowd, we did come face-to-face with Joji Luz’s smiley yellow #5 Celica at the front gates.

Now if you are not familiar with the Joji Luz and his Celica, might we remind you that it is the oldest known production Celica this side of the Pacific. How fittingly then that it was there to greet everyone. Right along side of it was an early R100, one of the first few models that Mazda shipped over.

After that it was pretty much a blur of ecstasy. There were Honda N600’s that were so clean, if it was put next to your mother’s fine silverware, she would surely be ashamed. A couple of the custom-chopped CRX’s were also on display. These were some of the original few hundred standard CRX’s which were chopped by R. Straman Co. of Costa Mesa, California in the early 80’s.

We could only imagine how quickly we would bury the needle with the updated Silvia motor.

On the Nissan/Datsun block, the SR-swapped Sports Roadsters definitely stole the show. In one of our favorites, a red-top S15 SR20DET was shoe-horned into the sub-2000lb roadster chassis. Considering the factory 2-liter naturally aspirated and carburated motor could already take it over 100mph, we could only imagine how quickly we would bury the needle with the updated Silvia motor.

Across the aisle from the Sports Roadsters were a impressive line dance of the Z-series Fairlady’s. Many of them with more curves and dressed in wheels with fatter lips than Angelina Jolie.

Although there aren’t many Mitsubishi’s that are considered classics yet, next to the line-up of Mitsubishi Starions there were even a few Dodge/Plymouth badged Mitsu’s on the prowl. One of them was an exceptional Plymouth Arrow GT, better known as the Mitsubishi Celeste in Japan.

Although there weren’t as many spectators going far back into the field, most likely because Sevenstock was just the weekend before, Mazda really brought out the big toys. Many people don’t realize the heritage of Mazda’s racing programs both over seas and here in the States.

Down further from the Mazda’s were a “Ken and Mary” Skyline and it’s older brother the Box Skyline. Both very rare to find in pristine condition let alone any condition in the United States.

Toyota spared no expense bringing along not one or two, but THREE 2000GT’s.

In the rest of the Toyota camp there were also some very well equipped Toyota Corolla’s ranging from the TE series to the later AE series. In addition some spectacular Celica’s and Supra’s, one of which was stuffed with a Cobra V8. Close by three generations of the Cressida came in sedans and wagons.

We know most of you are here for the pictures and quite frankly we’re surprised you even made it this far. We definitely saved the best for last though. At JCCS this year, Toyota brought out their trailer and spare no expense bringing along not one or two, but THREE 2000GT’s.

That ends our tour of the 5th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show. For those who weren’t there, you all definitely missed one hell of a show. We’ll keep you posted as soon as the official list of awards gets released.

List of Awards and Winners:
5th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show – Irvine, CA – Oct. 3rd 2009

BEST OF JCCS
1st Place Kyle Ranauro
DATSUN/NISSAN 1959 1000 988cc
2nd Place Glenn Roberts
MAZDA 1967 COSMO SPORT 4M 2.6L
3rd Place Arnel ilog
MAZDA 1972 Rx-3 13brew Turbo

BEST JDM
1st Place Paul Bischoff
DATSUN/NISSAN 1971 Skyline rb25de
2nd Place Mikey Castillo
DATSUN/NISSAN 1971 Skyline L28
3rd Place Oliver Dienzo
TOYOTA 1972 Corolla 2tg

THE OLDEST JCCS
Frenchy Dehoux
TOYOTA 1958 CROWN 3RC

THE FARTHEST DRIVEN
Robert Gallagher
HONDA 1979 Accord B18C5A

BEST ORIGINAL CLASS
1st Place Kyle Ranauro
DATSUN/NISSAN 1959 1000 988cc
2nd Place Glenn Roberts
MAZDA 1964 R360 L24
3rd Place Richard Scharf
DATSUN/NISSAN 1970 240Z 2.4 Litre

BEST MODIFIED CLASS
1st Place James Standridge
DATSUN/NISSAN 1967 Fairlady Roadster SR20DET
2nd Place Eric Straw
DATSUN/NISSAN 1969 Fairlady Roadster SR20DET
3rd Place Jojo Rumbaoa
TOYOTA 1969 Corolla sprinter 2tg

BEST RACE CAR
1st Place Mario Castaneda
MAZDA 1971 R100 13B turbo

BEST WAGON
1st Place Run Calisch
TOYOTA 1978 Cressida I6, 2.6L
2nd Place Audrey Reese
DATSUN/NISSAN 1972 510 L20B-4cyl
3rd Place Martin Valle
DATSUN/NISSAN 1972 510 wagon SR20DET

BEST DATSUN- 240Z –
1st Place William Parks
DATSUN/NISSAN 1972 240z l28et
2nd Place Paul Ajari
DATSUN/NISSAN 1970 240Z L24
3rd Place Scott & Aggie Mount
DATSUN/NISSAN 1971 240Z Small Block Chevy

BEST DATSUN OTHER Z – 260Z-280Z, 280ZX, 300ZX
1st Place Brian Avery
DATSUN/NISSAN 1978 280z L28et
2nd Place Ron Sino-Cruz
DATSUN/NISSAN 1985 200zr rb20det
3rd Place Robert Heckendorf
DATSUN/NISSAN 1975 260Z Stock 2600cc

BEST DATSUN – 510 –
1st Place mark ritchie
DATSUN/NISSAN 1972 510 SR20DET Black Top
2nd Place Matt Gardella
DATSUN/NISSAN 1971 510 KA24DE-T
3rd Place Aole Espy
DATSUN/NISSAN 1969 510 KA24DE-T

BEST DATSUN – PICKUP-
1st Place Robert Laag
DATSUN/NISSAN 1974 620 L18
2nd Place Lawrence Keller
DATSUN/NISSAN 1972 620 LZ22
3rd Place David Krouse
DATSUN/NISSAN 1977 620 L-18

BEST DATSUN – ROADSTER- MODIFIED
1st Place James Standridge
DATSUN/NISSAN 1967 Fairlady Roadster SR20DET
2nd Place Eddie Wu
DATSUN/NISSAN 1966 Fairlady Roadster Nissan S15 SR20DE 2.0L I4
3rd Place Eric Straw
DATSUN/NISSAN 1969 Fairlady Roadster SR20DET

BEST DATSUN – ROADSTER- ORIGINAL sponsored by Deal’s Cosmetics
1st Place Chris Breyer
DATSUN/NISSAN 1966 Fairlady Roadster R16
2nd Place Ralph Rodheim
DATSUN/NISSAN 1967 Fairlady Roadster 1600
3rd Place Christine Rincon
DATSUN/NISSAN 1967 Fairlady Roadster 4 cylinder

BEST DATSUN – 1200-
1st Place Mark Duncan
DATSUN/NISSAN 1971 1200 Sunny A12
2nd Place David Gonzales
DATSUN/NISSAN 1974 1200 Sunny A14 1397cc
3rd Place Jose Serna
DATSUN/NISSAN 1973 1200 stock

BEST DATSUN – OTHER –
1st Place Kyle Ranauro
DATSUN/NISSAN 1959 1000 988cc
2nd Place David Chick
DATSUN/NISSAN 1970 1000 A10

BEST TOYOTA – CELICA/ SUPRA-
1st Place Steven Sego
TOYOTA 1977 Celica 2.2
2nd Place nestor rodriguez
TOYOTA 1985 Supra 6mge
3rd Place Irwin Aquino
TOYOTA 1972 Celica 18RG

BEST TOYOTA – COROLLA- PRE84
1st Place Oliver Dienzo
TOYOTA 1972 Corolla 2tg
2nd Place Erwin Lu
TOYOTA 1971 Corolla 3K Stock
3rd Place P.J Bonifacio
TOYOTA 1980 Corolla PJ

BEST TOYOTA -COROLLA AE86-
1st Place Oliver Sanchez
TOYOTA 1985 Corolla GTS 4AGE
2nd Place Dennis David
TOYOTA 1985 Corolla 4AG
3rd Place Dave Palacios
TOYOTA 1985 Corolla 4AGE

BEST TOYOTA – CRESSIDA –
1st Place Marvin David
TOYOTA 1979 Cressida stock
2nd Place Art Macabuhay
TOYOTA 1984 Cressida 5M-GE
3rd Place Edward Feliciano
TOYOTA 1978 Cressida .

BEST TOYOTA – OTHER –
1st Place Victor Rivilla
TOYOTA 1982 Starlet 4AGE 20V
2nd Place Oscar Ramos
TOYOTA 1967 LAND CRUISER stock
3rd Place Kirk Hubbard
TOYOTA 1974 Century 4VU HEMI V8

BEST MAZDA – RX2-
1st Place Carlos Radriguez
MAZDA 1973 RX-2 13B
2nd Place Edgar Sanchez
MAZDA 1973 RX-2 13B
3rd Place RENE GARAY
MAZDA 1972 RX-2 12A

BEST MAZDA – RX3-
1st Place Arnel ilog MAZDA
1972 Rx-3 13brew Turbo
2nd Place shingo konuma
MAZDA 1973 RX-3 13B
3rd Place Catherine Harrison-Smith
MAZDA 1974 RX-3 12A

BEST MAZDA – RX-7-
1st Place Juan Galindo
MAZDA 1985 RX-7 13B
2nd Place Jim Balderrama
MAZDA 1985 RX-7 13B
3rd Place Sergio Lopez
MAZDA 1979 RX-7 13B

BEST MAZDA – OTHER-
1st Place Glenn Roberts
MAZDA 1967 COSMO SPORT 4M 2.6L
2nd Place Esteban Rodoriguez
MAZDA 1972 R100 13B

BEST HONDA – PRE 1973 –
1st Place Dick Kartozian
HONDA 1970 N600 600cc air cooled
2nd Place Maurice Kleiman
HONDA 1970 N600 600 cc
3rd Place William Yee
HONDA 1970 N600 600cc

BEST HONDA – ‘74-’85 –
1st Place Ken Uk
HONDA 1975 Civic ED1 1500
2nd Place Scott King
HONDA 1979 Prelude original 1600
3rd Place Scott Ngov
HONDA 1979 Civic Wagon CVCC

BEST MITSUBISHI
1st Place James Dean Recto
MITSUBISHI 1978 Dodge Colt 4g32

Brap Brap Brap

Chacko Xiong — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:59:28 +0000

Brap Brap Brap! This is the Mazda 787B that took the win at Le Mans 24-hours in 1991.

Build Your Rotary Engine in Under 5 Minutes

Chacko Xiong — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:52:48 +0000

Ok, so we stretched the truth. You can’t put one together in 5 minutes unless you’re playing it back at fast-forward speeds. But hey, at least it’s cool to watch.

A Rare Rotary Indeed

nickzachman — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:24:08 +0000

If you have had the opportunity to hear a rotary powered RX-series stalking you, you would definitely know it. The motors have a distinct low throaty exhaust note coupled with a high revving scream. Highly ported engines will also have lumpy idles that enthusiasts refer to as the distinct “brap brap brap”.

Side by side, the Honda Fit would be the unattractive, younger friend being a few inches wider and having a smaller trunk.

As one of the first few Mazda’s to make it to the States, the RX-2 was highly differentiated by the Wankel rotary 12A engine. A startling fact is that on the other side of the Pacific, the RX-2 was originally offered as the rotary option to the Mazda Capella, more commonly known to us Americans as the Mazda 6-series. It was not until the car made it to this side of the Pacific that it was sold as the RX-series.

As unbelievable as it may it seem now, during it’s debut the RX-2 was actually considered a mid-size car rather than a sport compact. By today’s standards, if it were sitting next to a Honda Fit, you would be hard pressed to argue that it was not a sub-compact car. In fact, side by side, the Honda Fit would be the unattractive, younger friend being a few inches wider and having a smaller trunk.

The 12A engine displaced a little more than 1.1-liters but made about 120hp and 115ft/lb of torque. In it’s day automotive sources compared it favorably against straight-6’s due to the smooth power range and impressive response. Unfortunately, that same engine was also notoriously plagued with reliability issues. Failed seals, o-rings and worn out rotor tips caused many of the vehicles to be scrapped before they really had a chance. But don’t tell that to Andy who’s had his RX-2 comfortably cruising the roads since 1972.

Andy’s RX-2 is all original from chrome bumper to chrome bumper and he has begun his full restoration, beginning with the exterior of the car. Even after 35 years, the original paint still radiates after a quick buff and shine. The chrome trim pieces were in all the right places and the only modification thus far is the Puerto Rican flag flown proudly on his dashboard.

For the feature, we met him near the warehouse district of the city and after some light sprinkling from the mixture of clouds looming overhead, we headed down to the riverside of the Minneapolis / St. Paul border for a quick run through the curves. Although start-up on these old rotaries are can be a little bit rough especially in such a quick change in weather, the little RX-2 breathed quite well through the carburetors after a good warm-up.

The RX-2 had no problems quickly dancing through each bend with it’s continual smooth purring through all each of the four gears. Unfortunately the fun had to come to an end as the rain started really pouring and Andy became concerned that more harsh weather was on it’s way. (To give him credit, our photography equipment was also a concern.)

In that quick run through the city, we had a chance to feel how exhilarating it must have been to be on the forefront of a revolution in engine technology. As the first platform for the Wankel rotary engines to be widely raced, the RX-2 was the bridge between the first mass-produced Wankel-powered Cosmo Sport and the highly successful, smaller and sportier, RX-3. Back in the early 1970’s, the RX-2 lead some heavy battles against the Skyline GT-R and the 12A engine went on to enable the RX-3 to prevent the GT-R from winning 50 consecutive Japanese Grand Prix races.

To date, Mazda still holds the dual title of the only non-piston powered race car and first and only Japanese manufacturer to ever win Le Mans.

On the international front, Mazda has also proven rotary technology to be highly successful being the first team from Japan to have finished the entire 24-hours of the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race in 1974. Almost twenty years later, in 1991, Mazda further ingrained their rotary technology as reliable and fast as it took the 787B 2.6-liter (rated 4.7-liters by the FIA formula) to claim victory, overtaking Mercedes within the final three hours of the race. To date, Mazda still holds the dual title of the only non-piston powered race car and first and only Japanese manufacturer to ever win Le Mans. The following year, the rules were changed to effectively ban Mazda from entering Le Mans with rotary technology.

Although RX-2’s are quite rare to find these days, it is still possible to get rotary-power in the latest rendition of the RX-series. Mazda continues to be the only car manufacturer that mass-produces vehicles with the Wankel rotary engine. State-side, it all started with the Capella RX-2.

Rumors are floating around that Mazda is looking to introduce a new RX-series in 2010. Will it really happen? No one knows for sure yet… But from what we have heard, keep your eyes on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010.

Driven To Be Ultimate; Black Gold

Chacko Xiong — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:20:12 +0000

This commercial for the limited 10th Anniversary “Black Gold” edition Datsun 280zx is “Driven To Be Ultimate.” I wonder if it comes with a mustache like that.

Cash for Clunkers: Revised and Revisted

nickzachman — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:50:39 +0000

Despite the attempt to boost the economy via auto sales and trying to protect the environment as best as possible, many folks are very much up in arms about the new CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) program—especially those in the aftermarket auto industry.

The rules placed on the vehicles eligible for the rebates are not the only regulations put in place. The folks who are going to be receiving the “clunkers” have specific rules as well. The bottom line is that the vehicles are destroyed so they cannot find their way back on U.S. roads. This has many if not all auto recyclers upset about the program. In fact, they downright despise it. The salvage (or recycler) industry argue that the program will hurt their bottom line.

New car dealers are advised to replace the oil in the clunkers with a sodium silicate and to run the motors in order to seize them. This ultimately destroys any and all parts that can be removed from the engine before being sold to a scrap yard. Since engines and drive trains make up about sixty percent of the business acquired by the salvage industry, industry leaders argue it would significantly hurt the industry. All of this comes after one of the worst years in the aftermarket industry’s history where more than a dozen auto-supply chains had filed for bankruptcy.

Additionally, not only do the regulations on destroying the vehicles hurt the salvage industry, but it is also affecting the low income customers who can’t afford newer cars even with the rebate program. The crushing of the vehicles will destroy parts, which will minimize the availability of salvaged and refurbished parts, and in turn cause prices to go up for any remaining parts. The rise of these prices would even hurt low income customers that use the parts to keep their vehicles running.

In terms of the effect that this program may have on the market of classic Japanese vehicles is a little bit unseen. With the regulations placed on the vehicles that can be traded in, it’s safe to say that an old Mazda RX-2 that is in a garage somewhere will not be destroyed. It would also be unlikely that there will be any Datsun’s hanging out of a dumpster at the dealership. However, cars that are not yet considered classics may be harder to find in the future.

Even though this program is meant to help the industry, it’s hurting at least an equal percentage. It’s great that the auto dealerships have seen a rise of thirty to fifty percent rise in sales because it will definitely fueling the economy, but for every car that is traded and destroyed a countless number of parts are also being wiped off the face of the earth. How this ultimately affects the economy and people’s lives is yet unknown, but let’s hope that there are more positives than negatives that come out of this.

Do you want to find out how to qualify for the CARS (Cash for Clunkers) program? Read our article on the program rules.