1967 Cosmo 110S Sport

With the 1967 Cosmo 110S, Mazda beat NSU into production with a twin-rotary Wankel-powered production car by just a few weeks. Futuristic looking and rather swish - like the Ro80 - the Cosmo was designed from the ground upwards to take this new engine. Capacity was equivalent to about two litres with an output of 110 bhp at 7000 rpm. Rather than using peripheral ports for maximum power, Mazda placed the inlet ports in the casing in a quest for stronger low-down torque, idling smoothness and improved low speed fuel consumption. In most other respects, the 110S was a conventional luxury sports coupe that handled well and was fairly quick. Top speed was 116 mph with 60 mph coming up in about 10 seconds, and it revved to 7000 rpm in the usual smooth, vibration-free Wankel fashion. Built until 1972, the Cosmo changed little, gaining a closer-ratio five-speed gearbox, a longer wheelbase and a bit more power - 128 bhp - on the 1968 'B' model. The Cosmo name lived on in a series of rather more conventional-looking saloon-based coupes, and survives to this day on Mazda's high-tech luxury flagship. The original is now one of the most collectible Japanese classics.