Classic Cars: How the Mazda Came to Be
Classic Cars: How the Mazda Came to Be
Earlier this summer, we looked at the rising value of Japanese classic cars, stating that their value has skyrocketed in recent years. While not as popular as perhaps the Datsun or classic Toyotas, Mazda has definitely made its mark in the world of classic cars. Mazda has become well known for its affordable, quality-performance vehicles; namely the Miata, “the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster,” according to an article from History.com. So, how did the Mazda legend begin?
The Mazda brand originally started as a machine manufacturing company called the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. Founded by Jujiro Matsuda in 1920 in Hiroshima, the company had to be saved from bankruptcy almost a decade from its start, and went on to produce its first automobile. Eventually, the company’s name was changed to Mazda.
1931 saw the brand releasing the Mazda-Go. This was a three-wheeled vehicle that resembled a motorcycle, but with a cargo-carrier at the back. The company went on to develop more cars, however this was halted during World War II and the bombing of Hiroshima. They started developing small, four-wheel trucks in the 1950’s and launched their first passenger car in 1960 in Japan. This vehicle was called the R360 Coupe.
Mazda debuted their first rotary engine car, the Cosmo Sport 110S, seven years after the development of the Coupe. It wasn’t until 1970 until the Mazda entered the American Market, with the R100 coupe. This was the first mass-produced, rotary-powered car in the U.S. 8 years later, the Mazda RX-7 debuted. At the time, this was an affordable, “peak-performing” sports car.
The latest development as far as classic Mazdas go is the MX-5 Miata, a two-door sports car revealed in 1989 that had a starting price tag of $13,800. According to Mazda, the concept for the car was “affordable to buy and use, lightweight, had good handling, and classic roadster looks.”
Mazda continues to be a relevant and affordable brand today, with sales of their MX-5 Miata reaching their 25th year, topping 900,000 sold vehicles. Whether you own a classic Mazda or any other type of classic or antique car, it’s important to protect it financially with the right type of insurance coverage.
At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting it can be to start a classic car collection. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694.