[Editor's Note: This article first appeared in our November 2011 issue. Some information and pricing may be different. For a price reference, a 1972 RX-3 sold for $29,000 on Bring a Trailer in 2019.]
Looking for an old-school classic that has a fanatical following–plus a nice motorsports pedigree? Cast your eyes upon the Mazda RX-3, especially in boy-racer SP guise.
At its core, the RX-3 was a small family car offered stateside …
Hmm, makes me miss my '73 RX3 autocross car...
So fun, so loud.
I think the GRM staff are following me.
Need more Rotary's in my life.
Love rotaries. Can't bring myself to own one, knowing the things I would do to extract reliability and performance out of one. That said, while I appreciate the sound, it isn't until you start talking three and four rotor engines that I actually LIKE the sound.
Fun fact: First car I ever fell in love with the driving of was a 1988 Turbo 2 RX7. Would have been nice if I could have afforded to buy it off my friend when he was in a bind, but sadly I had just dumped most of my money into a Supra I had at the time. Story of my life...
In reply to Chris_V :
Hey wait, that was my RX-3 AX car... 
Guy local to me runs a prepped RX3 in E-Prepared road racing but lately has been bringing it to autocrosses (because it's cheaper). I somehow always forget to snap a picture of it. Looks like an absolute blast to drive.
That color of the car in that picture is pretty close to the '73 RX-3 wagon I had in college.
rennkafer said:In reply to Chris_V :
Hey wait, that was my RX-3 AX car...
And mine and Chris Engle's. ;) I need a copy of the pic of the one with the black front end and cantilevered slicks...
Question: One might say the FB RX7 is just a re-bodied RX3-4 (much like the Mustang is a re-bodied Falcon). Is there any truth to that?
One thing I think I know is the rear suspensions are a bit different, right?
(P.S. not saying I have heard this, but a thought experiment, and I am curious)
aircooled said:Question: One might say the FB RX7 is just a re-bodied RX3-4 (much like the Mustang is a re-bodied Falcon). Is there any truth to that?
One thing I think I know is the rear suspensions are a bit different, right?
(P.S. not saying I have heard this, but a thought experiment, and I am curious)
Technically no. Need to clarify the difference between an FB ('81-85) and SA ('79-80) RX-7 as well. Mazda made huge, sweeping changes to components and structural design between SA and FB, and to a lesser extent between Series 2 ('81-83) and Series 3 ('84-85) cars. (And because Mazda, some of the changes were not split per chassis series... early S2s had S1 steering gears, late S1s had S2 transmissions with an S1 style tailhousing, etc)
The RX-3 does share a lot of superficial items with the SA like steering gearbox design, and the brakes, and a lot of the emissions controls, but the RX-3 has a lot of design features closer to a Ford Escort like track width, wheelbase, front suspension that uses forged TCAs and a structural stabilizer bar, and a leaf sprung rear. SA/FB have a front suspension more like a Ford Falcon (stamped arms, tension rod, separate stabilizer) than Ford Escort, and the rear suspension is a four link plus Watts, and the track width is 5" wider and the wheelbase is 5" longer.
The RX-3 SP also had a different intake manifold than any other 12-A equipped model, it had reversed runners. I have one of the manifolds around somewhere. I'll try to grab a picture.
My father and I and my first race car. A 1973 RX-3 prepped for ITA. This picture is at the Duryea Hillclimb in the mid 80's.
Oh man talk about tearing open a 10 year old wound, seeing my thread on my totaled 77 SP. Six days owned, and ruined only the second time I drove it.
Love me some rotary. I still have my 86 RX7 GXL. Going to do a full resto on it as soon as I retire. Isn't that what we all say? I swear I am going to do it......I really am!
lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:The RX-3 SP also had a different intake manifold than any other 12-A equipped model, it had reversed runners. I have one of the manifolds around somewhere. I'll try to grab a picture.
My father and I and my first race car. A 1973 RX-3 prepped for ITA. This picture is at the Duryea Hillclimb in the mid 80's.
Great pic. Looks like a X1/9, a GTi (possibly Saab?.....Nah) followed by a 911/912 down the line next to you. Not enough car pictured of the closest car....just the corner.I thought at first maybe an early Mustang, mostly from the striping. Anyway, cool times and cool cars. All classics now.
Volvo in the lower right corner. X-1/9 and an Omni GLH Turbo.
I wish smaller, lighter, RWD sport coupes/sedans were still made.
CyberEric said:I wish smaller, lighter, RWD sport coupes/sedans were still made.
RX-3s are a touch narrower and lighter than NA6s, and a little longer, mostly overhang.
And they seat five. (Well, if you're all very, very comfortable with each other)
Spotted a couple weeks ago at Summit Point. Anyone recognize it?
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