Mazda Savanna RX-3

The RX-3 famously ended the Skyline GT-R's 49-race winning streak in Japanese touring car competition, a genuinely historic upset that made the rotary-powered underdog into a motorsport legend of its own.

Beating the seemingly unbeatable Hakosuka GT-R on track gave the RX-3 lasting motorsport folklore status, proving Mazda's rotary engine could out-race Japan's most dominant performance car of the era.

• Genuine giant-killer motorsport history against the Skyline GT-R
• Light weight and smooth-revving rotary engine character
• More affordable and accessible than the rarer Cosmo
• Distinctive early-70s styling with a devoted following

• Rust and age-related deterioration are major concerns on 50-year-old examples
• Rotary apex-seal wear issues typical of the era's engineering
• Limited specialist and parts support compared to the RX-7
• No modern safety equipment

• Apex seal wear and compression loss on neglected rotary engines
• Rust in floor pans and rear arches after decades of age
• Deteriorated wiring and fuel delivery systems
• Scarce original parts for full restorations

A mature vintage-rotary tuning scene exists, particularly for racing and time-attack tribute builds inspired by its motorsport history, though most well-kept originals are preserved rather than modified.

Prioritize rust-free examples with documented history, verify rotary compression, and consider working with a rotary specialist familiar with early 10A/12A engines before buying.

A cult classic among rotary and vintage Japanese touring-car enthusiasts, celebrated specifically for its underdog racing legacy against the Skyline GT-R.

• An RX-3 famously ended the Hakosuka GT-R's 49-consecutive-race winning streak in a 1972 Fuji Speedway touring car race
• It shares its rotary engine philosophy with the earlier Cosmo but in a more affordable, mass-market body
• The RX-3 name is 'Savanna' in the Japanese domestic market, with 'RX-3' used for export models