For those who don't know what the vehicle is, it is a 1969 Mazda Cosmo Sport L10B. The Cosmo Sport was Mazda's first production rotary engine vehicle. They were built from 1967 through to 1972 and were only sold in Japan. Of the production run there were two versions, the L10A and L10B. The latter being the model I purchased as it is more desirable due to the fitment of the more powerful 0813 engine (128hp vs 110hp of the L10A) , a 5-speed gearbox (4-speed in the L10A) and a longer wheelbase (150mm longer than the L10A). The Cosmo's were all hand-assembled with only 1,519 built in total. Of this, 343 were L10A's (therefore 1176 were L10B's). It appears that there are only about 100 Cosmo's (combined L10A & L10B) in serviceable condition left in the world. To my knowledge and other than my L10B, only two reside in Australia. An L10A owned by Mazda Australia, and an L10B owned by Eric Houghton of Melbourne.
This one had been stored in a shed somewhere north of Mt Fuji for more than 10 years and has not turned a wheel in that time. It has just 80,000km on the clock which I expect to be accurate due to the finite life of the early rotary engines...the engine in it could have been rebuilt a couple of times in its life already. I have no real time frame for it's restoration, however I would love to have the mechanicals addressed by next year.
Cheers,
Danny
Here are some photos.
I think the number plates are quite apt.
I'm sure that there will be parts that I'll have to re-manufacture...but that's half the fun.
See you tomorrow Mark.
