Mazda RX-3 1972 - The Japanese Rotary Motorsport Legend | WorthReviewing
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
- The Mazda RX-3 (aka Mazda Savanna in Japan) is legendary. It was launched in September 1971, and was manufactured in both coupe, saloon, and estate body styles. They all got a 10A engine (491cc per chamber) and the US market received the more powerful 12A engine (that’s 1,146cc per chamber) with 110hp at 7,000rpm. 0-62 mph in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. Piston powered engines were named as the Mazda 818, Mazda 808, and Mazda Grand Familia.
Back in the ole’ days, the RX-3 raced across the globe. In Japan it took home many victories including the 1971 Fuji 500 race and defeated the Nissan Skyline in the Touring Car class of the 1972 Japanese Grand Prix. In fact, by 1976, which was only 5 years after it went into production, it achieved over 100 wins in Japanese motorsport. In 1972, it came to the UK, with the £1,633 RX-3 Coupe costing £335 more than the piston powered 818. In 1973, an estate RX-3 and 818 joined the line-up, but the RX-3 estate only lasted until 1974 before being dropped out of the UK line-up.
Standard equipment on the car was a clock, collapsible steering column, three-spoke steering wheel, and a five-speed manual gearbox (although the RX-3 in the video has a non-standard 1975 RX-7 12A engine and a RX-7 gearbox). Options in 1975 included improved upholstery, tinted glass, and the option of metallic paint for the first time. In 1976, RX-3 sales sadly stopped in the UK. However, the Mazda 818 estate stayed in the line-up until 1978, with the last saloons and coupes being sold in 1979.
A total of 286,757 were produced after the RX-3 was discontinued in 1978, making it the second best-selling rotary after the well-known and much beloved RX-7, with 811,634 sales.
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Intro: 0:00
Exhasut: 0:24
Drive: 0:33
Standard Features: 2:21
Drive: 2:42
History: 3:46
Drive: 4:27
Music used in the video:
Track: Cartoon - Howling (Ft. Asena) [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.
Watch: • Cartoon, Jéja - Howlin...
Free Download / Stream: ncs.io/Howling
Filmed & edited by Sam Worth. B-roll footage filmed by Mazda UK. - Авто та транспорт
Just to let everyone know, there's more facts, figures and information in the description. Cheers!
I had a 77 RX3SP, what a fun car that was. Sold it for $500 back in 84. If you can find one they go for big bucks now.
I used to have an RX2. Miss that car so much.
A great example of the RX3. One thing, though: it’s hugely unlikely that the five-speed ‘box is standard. They were only ever four-speeds in Australia and, I’d suspect, the rest of the world, too.
はじめまして。東洋工業はロータリーエンジンのハードトップをいくつも生み出しましたが，いまの日本では，ロータリーエンジン車は維持できない環境になりつつあります。
ＲＸー３は素晴らしいクルマです。これからも大切にしてください😊
What an awesome car, very jealous you got to drive it Sam. Great review too 👍🏻
My parents had a 1975 RX-3 from 1979 to 1982, was a great car apart from its tendency to foul it’s plugs in cold/wet conditions and would point blank refuse to start. I can remember a Vauxhall Chevette pulling out and attempting to overtake my mum on a long A road and having to pull back in again when she wouldn’t let him. My mum had an MG BGT at the same time which was like something out of the dark ages compared to the Mazda
Interesting review, would be worth watching just for the engine sound.
👍
I think you have to do some more studying about the differences between the RX3 and the normal 818 having a piston engine. My uncle owns both : a 4-door saloon RX3 and a 2 door coupe 818
Very cool i had a 4 door version 74
That's a 10A model with a replaced engine, probably a single dizzy Rx7 12A, i have a 10A coupe with a Rx4 12A in it, best looking car ever.
Great video Sam, in your element with a classic. Stunning car, that sound is heaven.
Great review and a great car along with the early RX2 & 4. I have a series 1 RX8, the last of the Rotary's and the noise is truly addictive.
Still miss the sound of my RX8… one car that I’d have again
Una Joya!! 💪
Yay 😎👍 love this!
Watched your ST review and now this, the improvment is really noticeable well done mate, smashed this
Thank you very much!
I have one of these too. Very special little club we have.
Sam I could tell you were in your element here
Where did you find one in such beautiful original condition? Love rotaries
It is owned by Mazda UK themselves.
My first car was the 1973 RX-3 wagon in a bronze brown color, so very conservative but I liked it. My father found it for about $2,000 usd in San Diego, not sure what mileage was but believe was low. Loved that thing, terrific build quality! Very small but quite practical with the exception of gas mileage when putting foot on the gas. The seller motivation was probably the gas mileage since around time of 1973 Arab oil embargo. Oil changes after a few thousand miles mandatory for engine operation and life, based mainly on seal longevity. It could really take off for the time with it's 4 barrel carburetor (if I recall correctly) when you got the revs up and put the foot on the gas. I got it up to almost 120 mph on the California 395 out in the desert on a trip to Mammoth Mountain (almost no traffic, safe line of sight). ***Do not recommend anyone do this now due to population growth and other drivers with powerful vehicles***, Go to a track for any sustained speeds over 90 mph. Great memories though! Have a great day and week heading into the Holidays 2023!
Think you will find the piston version was known as 818
A brand new ferrari/porsche/mclaren/this or that on one side
and this on the other.
THIS.
Nice Nice Nice.
Hello 323 ?
Did you know what MPG it was getting? I think they were thirsty at a time of fuel shortages.
In stock form you'd be looking at 16 - 20 mpg if you drove it hard to around 25mpg gently on the freeway.
Im in new zealand
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Rx8 was the last one
You'll pay 6 figures for a good one down under now.
I sold one last year for 150k NZD. I have 2 though. Arent selling the last one.