Journal: Driven by Design: Mazda Cosmo 110S

Driven by Design: Mazda Cosmo 110S

By Yoav Gilad
January 22, 2014

(This article is part of the Driven by Design series.)

Photography by Otis Blank for Petrolicious

The Mazda Cosmo 110S hit American shores in 1967, along with several other Japanese sports cars such as the Honda S800 and Toyota 2000GT. Realizing that the key to serious growth lay in wealthier Western markets, all the major Japanese companies attempted to expand their brands with halo cars. Like their national competitors, Mazda sought to appeal to foreign tastes by copying their Western counterparts.

Unlike the Toyota 2000GT however, the Cosmo was designed without outside help, by Mr. Heiji Kobayashi. But as it was intended to interest Western sensibilities, the inspiration behind it was solidly based upon cars popular at the time (and henceforth thought of as beautiful) such as the Ford Thunderbird but especially the early 60s Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica by Pininfarina (certainly not the prettiest Ferrari, but the most expensive and exclusive at the time).

Like its inspiration, the Cosmo is a rear-wheel drive, two-seater powered by a front-mounted one liter, two-rotor engine and its proportions speak to this arrangement well. It features a short front overhang with a long rear to maximize trunk space (no doubt to please perceived American needs). In spite of its relatively small size, the greenhouse is bright and airy due to the amount of glass. However, this is one place where the Cosmo falls short. The front-engine, RWD proportion could have been emphasized better by stretching the B-pillar slightly and lengthening the backlight. Additionally, had the B-pillar been moved back to sit above the rear tire, it would have given the car a much more athletic, muscular look.

Due to the door’s placement (not central between the wheels, but a little forward of the ideal location), the Cosmo’s body almost appears to be a 2+2, but the greenhouse is clearly suited for a two seater. This is why the greenhouse and body feel a bit disconnected. However, the car has a nice stance and the wheels and tires fit the low, sleek fenders perfectly.

Furthermore, while using the Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica as inspiration is certainly valid, Mazda’s surfacing was not remotely as refined or sophisticated as Pininfarina’s master modelers’. As a result, the ascending beltline that intersects the wheels lacks the tension present in the SuperAmerica and looks a bit brittle. The beltline also appears to divide the car into two halves, top and bottom, because of the flat fender tops and the way the body rolls to center as it descends. Furthermore, the curve that forms the upper edge of the front wheel-arch and then extends onto the body almost looks lumpy and betrays the designer’s intentions.

Ford’s contemporary rears may look rectilinearly similar, but I’d argue that the Cosmo’s taillight treatment and indented trunk are fresh and original. Indeed, the rear ¾ view is the car’s most successful angle and most innovative. The detailing in this view is limited but well executed with the exception of the vents on the B-pillar. In addition, to call the vents in the front fender derivative would be a compliment, they are blatant copies. The front has tastefully limited detailing too, but the car is less memorable in front perspective because it looks like an amalgam of contemporary sports cars.

Not surprising when considering the context and manufacturer but unfortunate nonetheless. The Mazda Cosmo 110S undeniably copied extensively from other, Western manufacturers in an attempt to pander to Western tastes. It was also Mazda’s first attempt at creating a sports car and did so with a unique powerplant (the Wankel rotary). On the whole, it is a good-looking car and is unique enough (both from a design and engineering perspective) to be memorable. But the few blemishes condemn it to also-ran status compared to international icons like the Toyota 2000GT and later Datsun 240Z.

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Aaron Venable
Aaron Venable
10 years ago

Pehtalorishus!

mark brinker
mark brinker
10 years ago

Thanks for the interesting design review of the Cosmo. The Cosmo obviously borrowed design themes from other manufacturers but taken in its totality, the car is undeniably and thoroughly unique from an aesthetic standpoint. It was also innovative from an engineering standpoint being the first production car with a twin rotor engine. I was recently lucky enough to acquire a very early Series II car with factory AC so I am a bit biased. However, I am convinced that as more Cosmos make it to U.S. shores, collector are going to quickly wake up.
The 2000GT is obviously an iconic Japanese car but how long will the collector car community value it at 20 times that of a Cosmo? Like it or not, the Cosmo is iconic on its own terms and with the growing interest in JDM cars, I predict that the Cosmo will soon be a six figure car.

JanMichael Franklin
JanMichael Franklin
10 years ago

The Cosmo definitely looks like a scaled down T-Bird. However, the unique fine details, proportions, and the rotary engine make it special in my book. You couldn’t give me a classic T-Bird that wouldn’t get sold immediately, but this I would keep.

Dustin Rittle
Dustin Rittle
10 years ago

I personally was never a huge Japanese car fan but I always had some respect for Mazda simply because they did things their own way and this Cosmo was no expection. It is a very good looking Mazda at that. I always felt it had sort of a Thunderbird vibe to it all. The car also helped Mazda launch its a new Wankel enigne as well. To show off the engines reliability they raced these cars at the famous Nürburgring ring and they did pretty well with one car finishing fourth overall. Its still a very good Japanese classic

jolocho
jolocho
10 years ago
Reply to  Dustin Rittle

Not to mention that race at the ‘ring was 84 hours, and probably the first time a Wankel was raced.

Myron Vernis
Myron Vernis
10 years ago

As beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I find the Cosmo Sport to be every bit the equal of the 2000GT and the 240Z. Additionally, it has the benefit of having a totally unique powerplant in the world’s first production twin rotor engine.
I think the car gets bogged down a bit aesthetically because of the vast majority of them being delivered in, literally, plain vanilla white. We have one in a completely unoriginal shade of dark blue which we love.

Arthur Erlend Harvey
Arthur Erlend Harvey
10 years ago

Kudos to Mazda for “marching to their own drummer”, and thanks Petrolicious for another well-informed design review. In the opening paragraphs I believe Mr Gilad is referring to the C-pillar, not the B-pillar. And it would be really nice to accompany… “Indeed, the rear ¾ view is the car’s most successful angle and most innovative.” …with a photo.
Cheers!

JB21
JB21
10 years ago

Thanks for actually a very accurate assertion of the design of the Cosmo. I didn’t know they were sold in the States. I recently saw it at the Mazda’s headquarter in Irvine (they have one on display there right now, RHD with proper CA plate). Having seen it today, I was shocked by how small it is, and how tightly it was designed around the dimension. Maybe slightly left behind by others, it’s still a very pretty car, with the kind of lines that we no longer see today (or those lines just don’t work on today’s design language, just like certain classic colors).

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