A Look Back at the 1976 Mazda Cosmo

It’s interesting to look back on the state of cars in 1976. American cars were definitely struggling, with their increasing bulk and sluggishness. The engines were a mess of wires and vacuum lines, which only added insult to injury when it came to their declining power. Meanwhile, Japan was sending over smaller, more efficient cars that often had better performance, but also came with some quirks and rust issues. Despite some backlash, these Japanese cars sold in huge numbers and changed the industry forever.

Now, we’re taking a look at two personal luxury coupes from 1976 that have managed to survive the test of time. One is a Japanese model with a unique engine, and the other is a larger American car with a less impressive engine. It’ll be interesting to see which one has aged better over the years.

Wow, I had no idea that Mazda sold the Cosmo in the US back in the day. That’s really interesting! I can imagine it must have been quite a unique car, especially with its 13B rotary engine and three-speed automatic transmission. It’s definitely bigger and heavier than the earlier two-seat Cosmo, but still pretty small by American standards from that era. The styling is really striking too, with clear American influences like the upright grille and the distinctive rear windows. All in all, it sounds like a pretty cool car!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Mazda Cosmo sold in the US back in the day. It really is fascinating to learn about the unique features of this car, such as the 13B rotary engine and three-speed automatic transmission. It seems like it was designed to stand out, with its distinct American-inspired styling and design elements. It’s great to hear that the car has held up over time, with only a few dings and scrapes that add character to its appearance. The original alloy wheels are a great touch and really add to the car’s ’70s vibe. Overall, it sounds like a really cool car that was ahead of its time!

It’s interesting to hear that the Mazda Cosmo being sold by the seller is still running well, despite having an automatic transmission. While it may not be the ideal choice for rotary enthusiasts, it does seem to fit the car’s overall style and design. It’s also great to know that there aren’t many Mazda rotaries left from this era, making this car a rare find. Restoring it may be a challenge, but leaving it as-is could make for a fun conversation piece.

Photo Source: Mazda Newsroom