Random # 328: Mazda RX2 Coupe

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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.  

The RX4 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).                               



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