The 10 Most Interesting Things About The Mazda RX-3

Summary

• Get your hands on the legendary Mazda RX-3 featuring a unique rotary engine and lightweight design that offers amazing performance.
• The RX-3’s racing roots solidify its status as a legendary performance car, with a rich history of victories both in Japan and worldwide.
• With its timeless appeal, restoration potential, and rising value in the resale market, the Mazda RX-3 remains a coveted classic for enthusiasts.

The Mazda RX-3, known as Savanna in Japan, was launched in September 1971. It was available as a coupe or sedan and featured Mazda’s new 10A rotary engine. Through its sharp design and large sales in its first month, over 5,400 units, it quickly became a desirable Japanese car for the average enthusiast. Only a year later, Mazda revised the rotary engine to the upgraded 12A, which allowed the RX-3 to compete in the same market as the Nissan Skyline GT-R, both on and off the track. By 1976, the RX-3 had accumulated an impressive 100 victories in Japanese Touring car racing, a milestone that made the car a favorite among Japanese racing enthusiasts.

In 2024, the Mazda RX-3 is praised as a classic car, with its nimble and agile design and prominent racing pedigree. To add to the enthusiasm around the model, Mazda kept the production numbers somewhat low, a factor that only adds to the car’s appeal nowadays. It has also proven itself worthy of the collectible classic tag, though, because of this, it is becomming more and more expensive on the used collector’s market.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including
Mazda
,
Classic Cars.com
and
Classic.com
.

10 The Force Behind the Mazda RX-3 Is Its Unique rotary Engine

The main stand-alone feature of the RX-3 is its eccentric rotary engine, developed by Felix Wankel in 1951. These unique engines are known for their ability to sit very high in the RPMs, all while being smooth all around the rev range. They also come with a distinctive sound signature, made popular by the famous Mazda 787B LeMans race car. This lightweight powerhouse contributes to the RX-3’s agile and nimble performance.

Since then, Mazda has been known for the improvements they introduced to the rotary engines that are legend today. This includes feats such as the twin-rotor design, variable intake systems, and the addition of a turbocharger. Mazda showed the world that rotary engines can be a viable option in the mass market. So much so, that it remains the only manufacturer to still consider the feasiblity of rotary engines in future models.

Other Cool Vehicles to Make Use Of Rotary Engines

• Citroën GS Birotor
• Chevrolet Aerovette
• Mercedes-Benz C11
• Mazda RX-7
• Mazda RX-8

9 The Key To The RX-3’s Agility Is Being Lightweight And Compact

The RX-3 was created during the infamous oil crisis. Therefore, efficiency played a huge role in how a manufacturer developed and created a car back then. But Mazda smartly used this to its advantage through clever engineering to improve the efficiency of the engine as well as make the RX-3 chassis as light as possible. It stands at an impressive 2,050 pounds, making it an appealing small car for those who are seeking a sportier driving experience.

Since the RX-3 does not have unnecessary weight, it can offer better maneuverability and enhanced handling, instilling its drivers with confidence through tight corners or high-speed sections. The combination of agile and spirited driving experience was so popular among enthusiasts that Mazda went off and used the formula of the RX-3 to create similar cars, such as the Mazda Miata.

8 The Mazda RX-3 Boasts A Strikingly Sharp Design

Back in the 70s, Toyota and Nissan were very successful with their Corolla and Sunny models, so Mazda decided to answer them with the RX-3. Since Mazda was going up against the biggest Japanese manufacturer, it needed a recipe that would set it apart from the competition. The snappy and revolutionary rotary engine was only half of the conundrum: the other part lay in its sharp design.

The prototype of the car, the Mazda RX-500, was featured at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. It showcased futuristic butterfly doors and a cozy box-like design accompanied by the latest safety features of the era. This prototype served as a development ground for the Mazda RX-3. Through this, they came to the final design of the model, with its toned-down boxy design and a more comforting interior. The combination of the unique engine and contemporary design made enthusiasts fall for the Japanese product all around the globe.

7 A Signature of the Mazda RX-3 Is Its Excellent Performance

The RX-3 rolled out of the factory with the best recipe for performance: a high-revving engine strapped to a compact chassis. The market was aware of the performance that the RX-3 was able to deliver from the get-go. The most amazing part about it is the ability to do all this without driving the owner into bankruptcy.

With a modest 100 horsepower from the factory, Mazda allowed the racing versions of the model to take it up a notch, giving those models nearly double the horsepower of their street counterparts with only slight modifications. Performance does not mean reliability though, so Mazda got to work to try and make the rotary engine as reliable as it could be, aiming for at least 75,000 miles. This achievement allowed the manufacturer to sell over 200,000 examples.

6 Mazda RX-3’s Identity Lies In Its Racing Roots

The Mazda RX-3 has a successful racing history that, throughout the years, has solidified the model to the status of a legendary performance car. Events such as the Japanese Racing series saw the RX-3 achieve remarkable success against even the well-known Nissan Skyline.

• In May 1972, the RX-3s made a historic 1-2-3 finish in the Fuji Touring Car Grand Prix.
• At the JAF Touring Car Grand Prix of 1976, the Mazda RX-3 achieved its 100th domestic Japanese racing victory.
• The RX-3s continued their winning streak by clinching the Fuji Grand Champion Touring Car class championship title in 1972, 1973, and 1975.

Though the RX-3’s success on home soil is admirable, it did not stop there. It became a successful racer all around the world, taking over the USA, Europe and even Australia. It featured in the 24 Hours of Daytona back in 1978 while also helping develop the RX-7 a year later. Even to this day, the RX-3 remains a solid choice for old-school racers.

5 The RX-3 Has A Popular Following In The Tuner World

The fact that the RX-3 has such a rich racing pedigree has attracted the attention of tuners all around the world, earning a dedicated group of people who specialize in customizing this one model alone. Its robust yet simple rotary engine and adaptable platform have made it a top choice for enthusiasts who seek to enhance a vehicle’s performance while keeping it simple and personal.

The lightweight and compact chassis provides a concrete foundation for aerodynamic enhancements and handling improvements. As a result, enthusiasts have been able to change the suspension system completely in favor of aftermarket options. This includes brake systems, body kits and even engine swaps. The Rx-3 allows its owners to truly reflect themselves in the car.

4 The Cultural Significance of The Mazda RX-3 In Japan Is Astounding

The Mazda RX-3 has held a special place in Japan’s automotive scene ever since the 1970s. This era is represented by innovative performance, capturing the attention of the whole world. But most importantly, the RX-3 is Mazda’s commitment to pushing boundaries, both technological and social.

Its immense international success in the motorsport sphere has allowed the model to become so well-known and respected..

3 The Classic Charm of the Mazda RX-3 Gives it A Timeless Appeal

Mazda created the RX-3 with the intent of making an everlasting product. And indeed, the RX-3 has passed tests enforced by time and social expectations. Its dynamic lines coupled with aesthetically pleasing proportions allowed the RX-3 to age like fine wine.

All that being said, the car integrates its aggressive design elegantly, all while invoking nostalgia among enthusiasts. From car show displays to cruising down the streets, Mazda created a mystical appeal around the RX-3 that never fails to turn heads, even in 2024.

2 The Mazda RX-3 Has Huge Potential For Restoration

Over the years, the Mazda RX-3 has achieved a huge following. Some of this fan base take it upon themselves to preserve and restore Mazda’s gem. From over-the-top wide body builds to tasteful and original builds, the RX-3 does not lack identity.

To make restorations possible, there needs to be aftermarket options from both the community and the manufacturer. Thankfully, there is not a lack of parts. These are not only needed to ensure the longevity of this Japanese gem but also to preserve its historical heritage, and their availability keep this vital part of Mazda’s history going strong more than 50 years after it was born.

1 The Value Of The Mazda RX-3 Is Rising In The Resale Market

Due to its rising popularity among enthusiasts, numerous RX-3s have been converted for private uses, like race car variants, only for the track. Because of this original condition, the RX-3 is a sought-after car, even when the once-affordable specs have started sharply rising in price and availability.