With three rotors displacing two liters, the Wankel in right this moment’s Nice Price or No Dice Cosmo is the largest Mazda has produced thus far. Let’s see if the worth tag on this privately-imported RHD coupe makes it an excellent greater deal.
When thought of when it comes to its previously forbidden fruit standing, most of you discovered yesterday’s 1991 BMW 318i Touring an over-ripe Durian. A $15,800 asking worth solely fanned the funk, leading to an awesome 94 % No Dice loss.
With the May 1967 introduction of the Cosmo 110S coupe, Mazda launched into a path of changing into the world’s largest producer of automotive Wankel engines. The three-rotor, twin turbo 20B Wankel powering this 1991 Mazda “Eunos” Cosmo might be the grandest of the corporate’s efforts, ensuing from the marque’s years of fidgeting with the format. That was solely one of many last-generation Cosmo’s cool, ahead-of-the-curve options, all of which served to assist the mannequin’s elevation to its sporty-fun Eunos model stature.
Mazda concocted the Eunos model within the late Eighties as a mid-upscale (suppose Buick, however Japanese) model to fit above Mazda however beneath the range-topping ɛ̃fini, which is pronounced “the performer previously known as Prince.” Eunos served the Japanese home market till its demise in 1997 and might be finest recognized for having launched the house market MX-5 Miata.
This Cosmo carries the Eunos model and a collection of Rotary piston badges positioned on the nostril, tail, and steering wheel hub. This being a JDM-exclusive, it’s righthand drive and, owing to its measurement, has slightly flagpole on the other facet entrance nook so the motive force can know the place the other nook quits.
With simply 82,000 miles (132,69 kilometers) on the clock, this Cosmo seems to be in wonderful form. The silver paint pops appreciably, and the automobile seems to hold all its unique trim. It’s a really fairly automobile, too, and is just let down right here by a set of overly ostentatious aftermarket alloys. Humorously, from some angles, the unfamiliar design offers off Cadillac Allanté vibes.
If you have been to check the cabin to a different, extra acquainted automobile, the Lexus SC400 coupe would fall most readily to thoughts. The sprint contains a striated design with a darkish part housing a fluorescent gauge cluster sandwiched between contrasting shades of sentimental plastics and a burl wooden strip.
Seating is leather-based upholstered and overstuffed in a approach as soon as most well-liked by Italian luxurious automobile makers. The lounge-like rear seats are much more attention-grabbing, that includes headrests that pop up from the rear shelf like one of many Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles peering out from underneath a manhole cowl.
Everything seems to be in equally good condition right here, and whereas it’s a clear presentation, there’s loads of tech right here, too. The Cosmo served as Mazda’s halo automobile when launched, exhibiting off each little bit of forward-thinking know-how the corporate might provide you with.
According to the advert, the automobile’s 20B gives 300 horsepower and “near-vibration-free acceleration.” The transmission is the usual four-speed automated that feeds the rear wheels by way of an unbiased, multilink rear finish. The vendor doesn’t disclose any concern with the automobile’s mechanicals or with its driveability. It comes with a clear title and a trophy for “Best Import” from the 2019 Amelia Island automobile present.
One would assume, seeing because the trophy is 4 years outdated, that the automobile’s import paperwork is probably going all appropriate, and registering the automobile in locations that observe the Fed’s 25-year rule won’t be an issue. What ought to one thing like this uncommon Cosmo rightfully value?
When new, this was Mazda’s costliest automobile, and as such, and being JDM-only, only a handful — 8,875 in whole — have been ever offered. That offers it exclusivity, whereas the three-rotor engine gives some mechanical bona fides. The vendor thinks that provides as much as a $38,000 worth. Do you agree with that? Or does that worth make this a Cosmo that’s exhausting to swallow?
You determine!
Facebook Marketplace out of Houston, Texas, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Gil G. for the hookup!
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Source: jalopnik.com