Mazda Cosmo Sport Series II (110S)
The Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S represents a pivotal moment in automotive history as the world's first mass-production rotary-powered sports car and Mazda's entry into the sports car market. Launched in 1967 and refined for the Series II (110S) in 1968, the Cosmo Sport featured stunning styling inspired by 1960s aerospace design with distinctive bubble roof, sweeping curves, and pop-up headlights. The revolutionary 10A twin-rotor Wankel engine displaced just 982cc but produced 128 horsepower at 7,000 RPM, rivaling much larger conventional engines. The lightweight construction at just 940 kg created a competitive power-to-weight ratio. Series II improvements included a 5-speed manual transmission (upgraded from 4-speed), improved cooling, enhanced reliability, and revised interior. The rotary engine's compact size allowed for perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Independent suspension all around provided balanced handling. The Cosmo Sport proved rotary technology's viability, paving the way for Mazda's rotary-powered sports cars including RX-7 and RX-8. With only 1,176 total units produced across both series, the Cosmo Sport has become exceptionally rare and collectible, representing both technological innovation and stunning 1960s design. Values have climbed to $150,000+ for pristine examples.
Extreme rarity demands expert authentication. Series II (110S) featured 5-speed transmission - verify through documentation. Rotary engine compression test critical - both rotors must be strong. Apex seal wear common issue. Engine rebuilds specialized and expensive. Cooling system must be perfect. Original examples extremely rare - many restored. Rust significant concern - check unibody thoroughly. Original paint and panels valuable. Many parts unavailable - restorations challenging. Interior trim difficult to source. Glass replacement nearly impossible. Verify matching numbers. Prices $100,000-$200,000+ for excellent examples. Restorations can exceed $150,000. Documentation and provenance critical. Investment-grade collectible. Museum quality examples command premium. Import documentation for US required.