Mazda
October 5th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
Sure it may not appeal to tough guys out there but it’s hard to deny the importance and the success of Mazda’s MX-5 roadster. The MX-5, is the best-selling two-seater sports car in the world and is showing no signs of letting up. It was first launched back in 1989, the MX-5 has stayed strong through three generations and now has a new special edition for the Japanese domestic market
Named the Black Tuned Edition, this dressed up MX-5 will give Japanese buyers a little more for their money. Based on the retractable hardtop model, the special edition keeps the standard 2.0-litre engine mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission.
Special design features include a gloss black retractable hard top and exterior mirrors and black metallic 17-inch alloy wheels. The Black Tuned Edition can be had in a choice of three body colours, with two (Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica) exclusive to the limited edition.
In the cabin, special features are limited to full black leather trim with yellow stitching on the seats and the steering wheel plus liberal use of piano black trim on the dashboard.
All up, it’s not a bad take on the MX-5, but without any performance upgrades it will appeal more to those who want to look good rather than drive hard.
August 11th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
Mazda has championed the rotary engine since it was originally used in the 1967 Mazda Cosmo but now it is looking like Mazda may discontinue this iconic motor.
The Wankel rotary has powered numerous Mazda cars over the years, including the RX-2, RX-3, RX-7 and finally the RX-8. Mazda even sold a rotary-powered ute between 1974 and 1977. But in 2011 the automotive landscape is much different and Mazda big wigs are currently in discussions about the future of the unique powerplant.
While the engine hasn’t been officially axed altogether, current economic conditions have forced Mazda to re-evaluate several programs and the rotary engine is one of the things that could be dropped. For now, the company has halted development of the engine and will focus on new SKYACTIV technologies.
Mazda still believes in the advantages of rotary power including its light weight and fewer moving parts but its weaknesses are more apparent than ever. The rotary engine doesn’t burn as clean as a piston engine, it consumes more oil and is very thirsty for petrol. In these times of emission regulations and minimal fuel usage – the rotary just doesn’t fit in. Read the rest of this entry »
June 20th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
The Mazda 787B quad rotor Le Mans prototype car would have to be one of the most unique machines to ever campaign on the famous French circuit. During the recent 2011 Le Mans race the 787B was back to wow a new crowd.
It was in 1991 that the 670kW Mazda 787B made history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by becoming the first Japanese-built machine to win the race. It was also the first and only rotary-powered machine to take Le Mans glory and instantly became one of the most famous race cars on the planet. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic victory, Mazda gave the 787B a full restoration including reworking that great 90s paint work, and announced it would be bringing it to France for the 2011 24-hour race.
A few videos of the 787B lapping the Circuit de la Sarthe have been filmed and we have added them below for your viewing and listening pleasure. There’s one clip of Johnny Herbert, the winning driver of 20 years ago, piloting the 787B on its demo lap. There’s also one of actor/car enthusiast Patrick Dempsey being given a lap in the rotory-powered beast and his commentary. 
But the 787B is the star of this show and definitely worth a view, check out the videos below. Read the rest of this entry »
May 25th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
The year was 1991, and Mazda achieved its greatest motorsport achievement by becoming the first, and only, Japanese carmaker to ever win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It was also the only time a rotary-powered vehicle has taken the win in the world’s most famous endurance race.
The track weapon Mazda used for the job was its 787B (pictured), and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Le Mans win it has undergone a full restoration. The organisers of this year’s Le Mans race must appreciate the unique nature of Mazda’s victory, or just the killer 90′s paintjob, and have asked Mazda to demonstrate its 787B on the track before the start of the race. Le Mans fans will be treated to a few laps listening to the quad-rotor engine producing its 521kW of power, although in 1991 it was rumoured to produce up to 670kW of grunt.
Since 1991, the winning Mazda 787B has mostly been on display at the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. The recent restoration work was carried out by current Mazda employees who participated in the company’s original Le Mans Challenge Project, along with engineers from Mazda’s subsidiary engineering company Mazda E&T. The restored 787B has been tested by former Mazda factory drivers Yoshimi Katayama, Takashi Yorino and Yojiro Terada at Mazda’s Mine Proving Ground in western Japan. Read the rest of this entry »
May 18th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
In a normal world Mazda’s MX-5 and a dusty old rat rod populate opposite ends of the automotive spectrum. One handy American car enthusiast didn’t accept that fact, and has combined the two into a bespoke machine that’s 
certainly one-of-a-kind. Viewing the photo above it’s difficult to see that the car in the picture actually started its life in the Mazda factory as an MX-5 convertible. So how exactly did it become a zombie rat rod?
The owner of this Frankenstein monster was out driving his 1996 MX-5 one day when he was hit from behind and his drop-top was wrecked. When most owners would get the remains towed to the scrap heap he decided to embark on a different project. He salvaged the engine, transmission, rear differential, gauges, suspension and steering components from the mangled Mazda. Next he set about custom-fabricating a frame from the remains of the crash-damaged car. Front and rear sub-frames were attached, and this allowed for the stock steering and suspension points to be reused. Read the rest of this entry »
February 28th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
The Morgan three-wheeler is officially back and it looks like a whole sack full of fun. Set for its official unveil at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, preview photos and a video clip have been released.
The new Morgan Threewheeler is fully road legal in both the States and Europe and represents a modern interpretation of the classic model that was built between 1909 and 1953.
It looks like nothing else and rides on a tubular chassis featuring an aluminum body, gloss black wheels, and a matte black dual exhaust system. If that isn’t special enough for you, optional extras include a polished engine, stainless steel tailpipes, and additional brightwork.
Inside, the cabin is suitably spartan but there’s leather upholstery, aircraft-inspired instrumentation, and a trick ‘Bomb release’ starter button.
Power for the Morgan 3 Wheeler will come by an 86kW S&S V Twin engine. It’s mated to a Mazda five-speed manual transmission that puts power to the rear wheel via a V-belt. Morgan claims the Threewheeler is a fun drive and there is nothing to suggest otherwise. It weighs just 500kg and will accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 185kph.
Following it’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show the Morgan Threewheeler will be launched later this year and pricing in the UK is starting at £25,000 ($53,700 NZ).
Check out images in the gallery below and a short promotional clip. Read the rest of this entry »
February 7th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
The Mazda MX-5 has just broken its own Guinness World Record for the “Best sellling two-seat sports car”. To achieve this feat the little Mazda needed 21 years and countless jokes about it being a girl’s car, but no one is laughing now. The 900,000th MX-5 has just rolled off the assembly line in Hiroshima, Japan.
The MX-5 originally achieved the new world record when it reached 531, 890 units back in May, 2000. The Guinness World Record has been updated every 100,000 units since and Mazda is now going to reapply to have the record updated to 900,000.
Originally created to capture the essence of classic British roadsters, the 1989 MX-5 won over critics with its simplicity and engaging driving dynamics.
Nobuhiro Yamamoto, the program manager of the current MX-5 said, “Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades. Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans around the world. Going forward, I will strive to keep the MX-5′s spirit alive while evolving it into a car that will be loved by even more people.”
August 4th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
Japan’s most famous replica maker, Mitsuoka, has just released another special edition version of its Mazda MX-5-based Himiko roadster. This time around, Mitsuoka has crafted a soft-top version of the Himiko Classic Edition, which was available up until now only with a power-retractable roof.
The soft-top model gets the same two-tone, black and red exterior paint job with an ornate chrome strip running on the sides, as the hardtop Himiko Classic HT. Inside, the stock MX-5 interior is reworked with red-leather seats and luxury wood trim accents.
The long-bonnet roadster, which pays obvious homage to classic British automobiles from MG and Morgan, is available with the MX-5′s 2.0-litre four-pot producing 170HP when mated to a five-speed manual and 162HP when linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Production will exclusively be limited to 20 examples with prices starting from ¥4,880,000 (about $77,500 NZ) in Japan.
