1990 Mazda

Eunos (Mazda) Cosmo 20B Type S (1990)

The only car ever sold with a 3 Rotor Wankel engine. Japan-market only (JDM) - Some 3000 manufactured. A significant number have had their desirable engines removed for various other purposes (Aircraft, Mazda Specials, Drift racing, etc). How many remaining? - very few.

The early 1990s were an exciting time for Japanese car manufacturers with all the big companies pushing boundaries in various ways: Nissan GTR, Honda NSX, Toyota Soarer, Mazda Cosmo and others. All pursuing their own technological advantages with cutting-edge innovation in their most expensive models.

Mazda's speciality was the Wankel rotary engine of which they became the experts, finally achieving reliability and reasonable fuel economy to match the engine's power and smoothness. That reliability was proven beyond doubt in 1991 when Mazda became (and remain) the only Japanese manufacturer to win the Le Mans 24 hours, and did it using their rotary engine.

This year's Goodwood Festival of Speed featured the Mazda Rotary-engined Racers and everyone who heard them being revved in front of Goodwood house experienced a totally unique and thrilling sound.

The Eunos Cosmo remains the most expensive and most powerful model Mazda have ever sold. It was available with either the 13B twin-rotor (about 6000 cars) or 20B triple-rotor (about 3000 cars). There were two versions: Type E, the Luxury model, which featured the world's first use of in-built Satellite Navigation and the first touch-screen colour television screen. And the Type S, the Sports model, which came with a viscous limited-slip differential, anti-lock brakes, tighter power-steering calibration, larger wheels, stiffer springs and dampers, sharper gearbox, alcantara-faced adjustable Sports front seats and a more conventional (but still comprehensive) instrument package.

The 20B engine included another technical first in a series car, Twin Sequential Turbochargers. A small turbo spins at low rpm and as it runs out of 'puff' a second larger turbo takes over - All to provide a steady stream of smooth torque to match the already healthy horsepower. Mazda claimed 280 bhp to conform to an industry code of conduct but in reality it was said to be considerably more. Unrestricted, Mazda claimed a top speed of over 161 mph.

These were designed to compete with and beat the best Coupes from Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW. It was an extraordinarily expensive car when new, and Mazda made sure that they were suitably equipped. Boasting European Leather (from France) and Wood (Elm from Italy) for the interior and the use of a special polyurethane paint for the exterior to provide an unusually high gloss. It has variable ratio power steering, double wishbone front suspension and multi-link IRS with quad dampers at the rear.

In the November 1990 CAR Magazine L.J.K. Setright suggested that the Cosmo 20B could be the Best Car In the World - for both it's technology and driving ability.

The Cosmo 20B was truly the Lexus LFA of it's time and to this day Mazda North America retain one for journalist use in their heritage fleet.

Our Cosmo is showing 51,000 miles (82,531 kilometres) which seems correct. It starts well hot and cold and makes all it's power without fuss. Everything seems to work well and the air conditioning blows an arctic gale, proved on a recent long journey from Bristol to Surrey on one of the summer's hottest days

It retains most of it's original paint in shining silver and has clearly been cherished by it's original and wealthy Japanese owners. Very clean underneath, we can see no rust and there are no apparent oil-leaks.

It is very original, except the wheels which are a set of contemporary Rays Forged wheels in 18"x8" and 18" x 9". These lightweight and expensive wheels suit the car perfectly and are shod with nearly new Nexen 235 & 265 tyres. It rides extremely well over our poor roads - feeling solid & expensive.

Not concours, it has a few scratches & marks but is very good, as shown in the photos (just taken). We would say it is smart enough to be proud of but not so perfect that you worry - inside & out. It is a very nice usable car.

Despite it's rarity, now seems a good time to own this model as there are many engineless cars around the world and parts are readily available. The engine may be unique but shares architecture and parts with the later RX7, there is a wealth of knowledge and the basic simplicity of the rotary engine means that there are many specialists who can maintain.

We have a range of documentation including the original Owners manual (Japanese) plus an English translation, the original sales brochure (Japanese), MOT to March 2015, UK registration (imported in Oct 2009) showing 2 previous owners and various magazine articles (inc CAR).

We are an exhaust manufacturing company (QuickSilver Exhausts) who bought the car to demonstrate a unique exhaust sound - theoretically it has the same firing pulses as an 18 cylinder 4 stroke engine. Youtube videos show racing versions displaying an 'old school' formula one sound.

However, we are exhaust manufacturers not car customisers and this doesn't fit our current plan. It is a superb car to drive, fast and indescribably smooth. Technically unique, historically important and a lovely car to own.

This car is now Sold to an Engineer and rotary enthusiast, the perfect custodian.