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Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Dead at 95
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 4:39 pm
by manga_blue
He was chief engineer for the rotary design project and later, as President of Mazda, recommended production of the MX5/Miata. We have a lot to thank him for.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/obituaries/kenichi-yamamoto-dead-father-of-mazda-rotary-engine.html
Re: Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Dead at 95
Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:47 pm
by ianoz
Sad news.
Still wish he'd combined the two and made a 12A mx5.
Re: Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Dead at 95
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:51 am
by Mr Morlock
That was a really interesting obit- and clearly he was a man who made a significant contribution and lived thru a tumultuous period. I will share that link thanks.
Re: Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Dead at 95
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:32 pm
by Rocky
I wish I had never bought my two new Rotary Mazdas.
With the benefit of hindsight, I would have bought a TA 22/23 Celica. If I had I would still have it because the used one I bought 20 years later was the best car I have ever owned.
The Rotary engine was never perfected and in the models I bought (RX 2 & RX 4) was a bit of a disaster.
I do however, applaud Mazda's brave attempt to develop a new and exciting engine design.
Re: Kenichi Yamamoto, Father of Mazda’s Rotary Engine, Dead at 95
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 10:23 pm
by ianoz
there's nothing quite like a nice extend port rotary with a light flywheel and a 48IDA weber
, and stealthy compared to a brap-brap bridgeport. especially in the early '80's when the V8 boys didn't know an 808 from an RX3... young and stupid but it was fun.
characteristics would have suited an mx5 perfectly.