Most of the
classic car that get attention or retain fame, despite the era, are either
featured on a hit Hollywood movie or is hiding a beast engine under the hood
that’s why it’s no wonder that Mazda Cosmo 110S wasn’t in the limelight then or
now.
The Japanese
have already penetrated the car industry but they know that in order to
maintain their place they have to find the design inspiration in their western
counterparts.
But then,
with Cosmo, Mr. Heiji Kobayashi decided not to import help with the design but
derived the designs with the most popular cars during those time such as Ford
Thunderbird and Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica.
As a result
from the car inspirations, Cosmo was built to meet the American needs in a car
and to build a car for the Japanese market. It’s a two-seater, two-rotor
engine, short front overhang, long rear and of course right-hand driven. Plus, it has a greenhouse that made the car
bright and airy though due to those glass made it’s body seemed a little
disconnected even if the wheels and tires perfectly embodies the sleek sports car look.
Speaking of
sports car, despite Cosmo’s best efforts to use Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica for
inspiration, Cosmo didn’t turn out as so well; the beltline made the car look
divided, brittle and lumpy which contradicted the designers plan. On the
brighter side, Cosmo did get one thing right, the taillight treatment and
indented trunk was innovative, original and well angled.
Though there
are some epic fails on the way Cosmo was made, aside from the obvious attempt
to mirror and nail the Western design by working with the Wankel rotary, still,
you cannot deny that generally the design and engineering perspective is
something to remember. It just proved that in order to produce an iconic car,
every tiny detail from the design down to using the best paint protection
should be spot on.
