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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S, prompting the company to announce exciting plans for celebration. The compact sports car holds a significant place in Mazda’s history, being the first mass-produced sports car equipped with a functional rotary engine. To commemorate this milestone, Mazda will once again collaborate with Japanese Nostalgic Car this July, serving as a sponsor for the annual Touge California Rally. This event takes place in the canyons and mountains near Los Angeles, marking it as the only road rally in the United States focused on classic Japanese vehicles.
Japanese Nostalgic Car founder Ben Hsu initiated the event three years ago, inspired by traditional rallies like the Mille Miglia. Mazda quickly recognized the occasion and became an official sponsor last year. Since then, the rally has expanded significantly in size and participation, and the golden anniversary of the Cosmo promises to add a festive spirit to this year’s event.
Participants will navigate through 200 miles of winding Southern California roads, concluding their journey at Mazda’s headquarters in Irvine. There, they will enjoy a special tour of the company’s most historic vehicle collection. Although the focus of the event is on Mazda, all vintage Japanese cars are invited to join, including models like the 1977 Toyota Celica and modified V8 Nissan 240Zs.
The Cosmo Sport 110S was groundbreaking as the first car to feature Mazda’s innovative Wankel engine, impressing audiences when a prototype was revealed at the 1963 Tokyo Motor Show with its elegant design, technological advancements, and remarkable performance capabilities. Although the engine faced several challenges upon the vehicle’s release in 1967, Mazda remained committed to mastering this new engine technology while other manufacturers encountered difficulties.
The success of the Cosmo Sport ultimately paved the way for the renowned Wankel-powered RX series, which remains beloved among enthusiasts. Recent discussions about a new rotary model in the lineup continue to emerge, and given the recent rise in small sports car sales, many are hopeful that Mazda may be considering new ventures in this area.
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