A Brief History of Mazda and Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels collectors are always on the lookout for replicas of Japanese cars, and Mazda models are no exception. In fact, Mattel has released several scale model RX cars that have become quite popular among collectors. However, there are still some rotary-powered machines that haven’t been included in their lineup. In a two-part story, we will be exploring the world of tiny Mazdas and taking a closer look at these models.

In this story, I’ll be sharing some additional insights into these vehicles before we move on to perhaps one of the most popular sports cars of all time – the Mazda MX-5. Interestingly, one of these Mazdas was in fact the very first Mazda model to be produced as a Hot Wheels car, but we’ll get to that in just a moment. For now, let’s continue our tour of the “Dorito” world and take a closer look at some of the most exciting cars ever made.

Jay Leno is among the proud owners of one of these vehicles, and for good reason. The Cosmo Sport was actually the first-ever mass-production rotary-powered Mazda in history, predating even the iconic RX-7. Designed by Mark Jones, this particular model was released as part of the Japan Historics 3 collection in 2020, featuring a sleek white finish and Slotted Real Riders wheels. The Cosmo also made an appearance in the 2021 Boulevard set before being brought into the Mainline series by Mattel in 2022.

Its debut in the Mainline series was nothing short of spectacular, as it was immediately promoted to the status of a Super Treasure Hunt. Although some collectors may view it as too simple, this hasn’t stopped the Cosmo from commanding a price tag of between $50 to $100. With only four variations of this model currently available, it shouldn’t be too difficult to add all of them to your collection.

Jay Leno is among the proud owners of one of these vehicles, and for good reason. The Cosmo Sport was actually the first-ever mass-production rotary-powered Mazda in history, predating even the iconic RX-7. Designed by Mark Jones, this particular model was released as part of the Japan Historics 3 collection in 2020, featuring a sleek white finish and Slotted Real Riders wheels. The Cosmo also made an appearance in the 2021 Boulevard set before being brought into the Mainline series by Mattel in 2022.

Its debut in the Mainline series was nothing short of spectacular, as it was immediately promoted to the status of a Super Treasure Hunt. Although some collectors may view it as too simple, this hasn’t stopped the Cosmo from commanding a price tag of between $50 to $100. With only four variations of this model currently available, it shouldn’t be too difficult to add all of them to your collection.

The person who first thought of putting a rotary engine inside a pickup truck deserves all our admiration and a round of applause. While it may not be the fastest truck on the market (especially when compared to the likes of a RAM TRX), a few upgrades can turn the Mazda REPU into a real Hoonigan machine. Jun Imai designed this casting for its 2017 release, and since then, there have been a total of 12 variations of this model made available.

While the REPU has yet to make its way into the Premium line of Hot Wheels vehicles, fans can still find a Super Treasure Hunt variation of this model. First introduced in 2019, this version features a Spectraflame Dark Blue finish and Real Riders 8-spoke wheels. While it may not be the coolest STH ever produced, collectors can still purchase one for a reasonable price of $30 or less. As for the life-sized version of this truck, it can cost as much as $25,000.

The Mazda 787B is often referred to as the King of all Rotary Cars, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only was it the first Japanese car to win the race at LeMans, but its unique four-rotor setup also creates a distinctive, F1esque soundtrack that’s hard to forget. Mazda still takes the 787B out to various events each year, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and there are plenty of videos online that can entertain enthusiasts for hours on end.

The Hot Wheels casting of the 787B made its debut in 2018 as part of the Car Culture: Circuit Legends set. The following year, it was released as part of the Team Transport series, and it now has a special Gran Turismo variation that was introduced in 2020. Mattel has also developed the first Mainline iteration of this model in 2023. Collectors looking to complete their collection of the 787B will only need to acquire six vehicles in total, with half of them being Premium machines and the other half being Basic ones. It’s worth noting that some of the more expensive versions of this model come with a removable engine cover, so keep an eye out for those.

Photo Source: Hot Wheels