Mazda’s RX-3 is like the early Toyota Celica: they look like a miniaturized Japanese take on an American muscle car. Powered by the 12A 1.2L Wankel rotary engine, they were the most popular pre-RX-7 Mazda ever sold in the US market. They are small, light, and for the size, powerful enough. A few tweaks here and there, a turbocharger, some suspension work and a few custom touches can take the RX-3 and turn it into a nasty little beast. This particular one is owned by Savant Young, and it is nice enough that Jay Leno waited at the car for him to appear so that he could talk to him about it. That should come as a kind of honor to Young, and he is happy to return the favor by letting Jay drive the Mazda. Cutting Leno loose with a 9,000+ RPM rotary? You sure that’s a good idea, Savant?
Why oh why isn’t this beauty in my garage?
Because it’s in the USA and owned by a fighting man that’s why!
My ideal Mazda would be an MX5/RX7 hybrid – with the sheer numbers of both out there I’m surprised there hasn’t been one on your hallowed pages. A marriage made in heaven or what?
Always liked the look of the RX3 but the engine, hate it! I’ve these bees next many a time at Englishtown. They would wing the snot out of them at the starting line. Too bad they could only muster 15 sec ET’s.
Great looking car, very cool! (I would drop the curb grinding stance wheels, but still a big fan of black wheels). Very nice inside, very nice and clean under the hood, and great paint color with the gray and black. Glad to see a little Japanese car done with subtle taste instead of the usual tacky colored anodized everything. That’s a bad ass little hot rod, props to Mr. Young.