Mazda Luce Rotary Coupé (マツダ・ルーチェロータリークーペ) (M13P). 1969–70 (prod. 976). 2-door coupé. F/F, 1310 cm³ (Wankel 2 × 655 cm³). Attractive coupé in Mazda’s flagship Luce range, but with front-wheel drive, unlike the sedan and wagon. Actually longer than sedan, and wheelbase longer by 80 mm. Featured a two-rotor 126 PS Wankel engine, the only time Mazda produced one for front-wheel-drive application. Prototype, designed by Giugiaro, shown at Tokyo 1968, with production the following year, featuring an RX87 badge to tie it in with the show car. Well equipped. Super Deluxe with vinyl roof. Priced at the level of the Toyopet Crown Coupé. Considered unusual and less well equipped alongside Isuzu 117 Coupé, which had a conventional rear-wheel-drive layout. Excellent brakes, but as a cruiser, driving felt less responsive. Understeer with the FWD layout, which also caused driveshaft noises; there were also reports of overheating. Production to 1970, but unsold stock remained into 1972. Poor sales led Mazda to take a conventional path with its successor, though the coupé is highly prized today.

Manufacturing location: Hiroshima, Japan

Marque: Mazda | Model: Mazda Luce | Successor: Mazda Luce (LA2)