Welcome to Hooniverse Fastback Friday. A couple of days ago I was reading Rob’s posting over at Jalopnik about a peculiar Mazda Rotary that was not an RX-7. That set me on a quest to see if there are any other vintage Fastback Mazdas that could possibly fit within “Fastback Friday”, and look what I found….


Let’s start with this 1973 Mazda RX-3 that is listed for sale on Craigslist. The RX-3 was introduced into the North American Market in 1972, and the American versions came equipped with the 12A Wankel Rotary engine from the RX-2. There were three body styles offered, and included a Coupe, Wagon and Sedan. This is a 2 Door Fastback Coupe, and according to the listing:

I have an 1973 Rx3 that i will sell or part out for the right price, no motor or trans. body in fair condition bumbers (front/back),glass(front ,back sides), lights(front sides rear), grille mask,light bezels, front seats, moldings, original steering wheel, datsun rearend. Looking for 1984-85 rx7 in good condition may consider trades.

Asking price for this rather incomplete car is unknown. See the listing here.

While the previous RX-3 is nothing but a shell, this is a rather nice and complete example, finished in a very period Green color. According to the listing:

I’m selling a super nice old school 1973 Mazda RX3, 5sp, 13b engine and fresh dupont paint job. This RX3 looks and runs awesome. I get lots lots of complements on the street. It will be posted on EBAY within the next couple of weeks. I’m offering it to craiglist members first. I’m accepting offers beetween 10K-12k. Make an appointment to come see it or test drive it. You won’t be disappointed.

Well, with the asking price between $10,000 and $12,000 it better be nice, and it does have the larger 13b engine. See the listing here.

One more RX-3, and this is from Killeen, Texas. Absolutely nothing is listed in the ad, not the condition, not the mileage, nothing. Funny, the sellers phone number is a Connecticut number. He (or she) wants $5,500 for it, so you can see the listing here.

And look what I found next. It’s a 1974 Mazda RX-4 Coupe, which was the Luce Rotary in its home market. The RX-4 was available in North America from 1974 through 1978, and was available with the much larger 13b Wankel Rotary producing 110 HP. This car is a “Barn Find” and according to the listing:

1974 Mazda RX-4, Arguably the most original, genuine low mileage Mazda RX-4 in the United States. 25K original, original paint in superb condition, interior in showroom condition, original tires. Original Hiroshima air in tires. Would be at home in a museum. Original 13B rotary engine was professionally rebuilt last year, no miles on rebuild. Needed apex seals from being dry stored in garage since 1990. Always garage kept, completely rust free vehicle. Carburetor professionally rebuilt at same time as engine. I am the 3rd owner, full history of vehicle available from previous owner, who purchased it from the first owner, an Army Sergeant stationed at Fort Hood, who was on his way to Vietnam at the end of 1974. Original dealership tag on rear of car: “Garland-Shelton, Killeen TX.” All original documents, manuals, etc. in like new condition. Still smells like a new car, sit in it and time warp back to the dealership floor in ’74.

Asking price for this like new gem is $18,500! See the original listing here.

Then there is this 1976 RX-4 Coupe in Florida. Like the first RX-3 above, this is a complete car without the Engine or Transmission. According to the listing:

Complete car, non-cut, need motor and transmission. Good conditions, just painted, needs minor interior repairs.

Asking price for this shell of a car? $3,800! See the listing here.

Of course I had to spotlight the Mazda Cosmo that ran on another blog. These were sold in the US for only 2 years, between 1976 and 1978. This one has some rather unusual styling add-ons, and according to the listing:

1976 Mazda cosmo maybe the only one in Florida, $ 10,000.00 or best offer just tuned 170HP all motor, 13B old skool, good in and out, A/C works

See the listing here.
Are any of these old school Mazdas worth the money their sellers are asking for, or is the first generation RX-7, that was offered as a replacement for all of these vehicles, the only one to really go after if you’re looking for a vintage Rotary Powered Mazda? Let me know in the comments section…