In a brave new era for the Japanese car industry, the Mazda Cosmo infused Euro-American styling with pioneering rotary power. Almost 50 years on, we take this rare UK example for a spin.
![Cosmo-Politan](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/12597/211270/58c65584398c6/Cosmo-Politan.jpg)
This 1969 Mazda Cosmo Series 2 has a strangely attractive shape. In profile it’s almost a semi-scale first-generation Ford Thunderbird. In fact, the vast wraparound rear window and the bumper-bracketing rear lights wouldn’t look out of place in the Eagle on Dan Dare’s spacecraft Anastasia. I’ve come over all ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ just looking at it. I have to force myself to stop prancing about like a marionette on speed and prepare to board. It may not be the most beautiful Sixties car but its design is most intriguing.
The interior is rather compact and narrow but well appointed. My eye is instantly drawn to the aluminium kickplate on the leading edge of the doorcards, and the stitching of the interior trim. The double stitching around the main instrument binnacle in particular is so well finished that it looks rather more Aston Martin than Mazda. The seats appear to be fully trimmed in hide but are in fact just high-quality vinyl (an option over regular fabric); overall the car exudes an impression of being a very well put-together product. The wood-rimmed steering wheel has three drilled aluminium spokes and is mounted so that it is almost perfectly vertical. If you want to play Sixties F1 racer with completely straight arms, this is the car for you.
Curiously, I note a footrest on the left-hand side of the transmission tunnel, a mirror image of the one placed next to the clutch pedal on the driver’s side. What use that would be, even on a left-hand-drive car – which the Cosmo never became – is beyond me. Also of interest are the door locking pins, which are sensibly and ergonomically positioned just aft of the opening quarterlight so I don’t need to reach awkwardly behind my shoulder as is the norm in most cars.
Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Classic Cars.
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Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Classic Cars.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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![Willson's Smart Buy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12597/211270/58c650a1346d5/crp_Willsons-Smart-Buy.jpg)
Willson's Smart Buy
Quentin on why an AC, a Mercedes, a Lamborghini and, yes, a BL-built Jaguar should all be on the canny buyer’s radar.
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‘You Feel Like A Movie Star'
Darrin Alker loves how precisely his Lotus Esprit drives – so why on earth did he ask us to put him in a Ford Mustang for the day?
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Problem Solved – Again
I reported a few months ago that the TR3 had finally recovered from its elusive sticky valve episode, caused by old fuel residue, and was running well. But as it turned out I spoke too soon. A glance underneath after a long run revealed oil drips, and when the clutch started slipping under hard acceleration shortly after that I blamed the front gearbox oil seal.
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Jaguar XJR
Now’s the time to buy Jag’s supercharged four-door before they become expensive.
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‘It's Like A Japanese Tardis'
Before buying an M635CSi, six-footer Steve Hough viewed several Datsun 240Zs, but never got to drive one. Today we put that right – and the first surprise is that there’s room inside to spare
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Market Watch
Russ Smith not of rag-tops on the early MX-5 Triumph Herald convertible.
![Cosmo-Politan](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12597/211270/58c65584398c6/crp_Cosmo-Politan.jpg)
Cosmo-Politan
In a brave new era for the Japanese car industry, the Mazda Cosmo infused Euro-American styling with pioneering rotary power. Almost 50 years on, we take this rare UK example for a spin.
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Alfetta GTV6 Has Room To Grow
The Giugiaro-penned fastback has risen sharply, but that’s not the end of the line.
![Red Leader](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12597/249327/59f18e7c80612/crp_Red-Leader.jpg)
Red Leader
It’s come a long way from its role as decorative PR attention seeker – this prototype Triumph went on to become a works competition car