Random # 328: Mazda RX2 Coupe

Where do I begin? Of all the rotary Mazdas, the RX2 is - in my humble opinion, at least - the very pinnacle. The coupe version, as shown here, is the creme de la creme!

That's a biggish call, I know, so please indulge me. The RX2's predecessor in the Aussie domestic market*, the R100 coupe of 1968 to 1973 - what Mazda might've called the RX1 but strangely didn't - was a real screamer that isn't without charm. However, its looks might kindly be described as "cute" rather than beautiful.

The model that followed and for a time ran in parallel with the RX2, the RX3, probably enjoys the greatest following of any of the 1970s' Mazdas. Like the RX2 and RX4 that debuted in 1972, the RX3 was offered in Australia in two- and four-door form.

The RX3 is a more "muscular" design than the RX2, with pronounced rear haunches, smaller rear side windows and more aggressive front-end styling. It's also slightly smaller, apparently being only a bee's penis larger than the R100.

Both the RX4 - available in Australia as a two- or four-door - and the fastback coupe-only RX5 were both significantly larger cars. The RX4 coupe's a good looking design, perhaps a tiny bit corpulent, but, for many - including me - the RX5 is an acquired taste.

Strangely, there was no RX6 (more Mazda logic). Then the RX7, being the sole 1970s' Mazda rotary to not be based on an existing piston-powered car, is a fish so different it deserves its own entirely separate kettle.

This leaves the svelte RX2, with its gently flowing waistline and airy, light-filled cabin as the prettiest of any of Mazda's rotaries. The sedans are delightful but the coupes take that one step further, especially when they're fitted with this example's slightly later two round headlight per side and matched four lighting unit rear end.

So when all of this is combined with stunning blue duco, super-straight panels and glittering chrome, as well as a set of gorgeous alloys, race seats and a very tasty steering wheel - as exemplified in today's car - you've got about as good an example as you could hope for! How I've not seen it before has me baffled but I'm very pleased to have finally made its acquaintance!

Dear Drooper.

Did you enjoy this post? Are you into RX Mazdas? If the answer is yes, you might enjoy the following articles:

https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2018/02/readers-photos-19-mazda-rx3-coupe.html;

https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2019/03/japanese-car-day-parliament-house-lawns.html; or

https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2020/09/classics-by-beach-sunday-6th-of.html.

There are stacks and stacks of other sports, performance and classic cars throughout the rest of the uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au site, so why not check them out?! And please, please feel free to like, comment and share!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

iPhone images.

* The Cosmos of 1967 - 1972 was not officially sold in Australia.

A chronology of Mazda rotaries sold in Australia:

R100 (aka Familia) 1968 - '73

RX2 (aka Capella) 1970 - '78

RX3 (aka Grand Familia) 1971 - '78

RX4 (aka Luce) 1972 - '77

RX5 (aka Cosmo) 1975 - '81

RX6 N/A

RX7, Gen 1

Series 1 1978 - '80

Series 2 1981 - '83

RX7, Gen 2 1985 - '92

RX7, Gen 3 1992 - '97

RX8 - 2004 - '12

(Wikipedia, accessed 03 DEC 22).

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

Upper Middle Petrol Head:

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