It’s happy 50th to Mazda’s RX-3, the forgotten rotary hero of the brand that was often overlooked when compared to the later RX-7 coupe.

The RX-3 was a landmark car in Mazda’s history – a car that cemented Mazda’s association with the rotary engine at home and abroad, while its export success helped put Mazda on the map as a global automotive company.

its success on the racetrack led the way for the accomplishments of the later and more famous RX-7. By the time production came to an end in 1978, 286,757 RX-3s had been produced - making it the biggest-selling Mazda rotary outside of the RX-7. 

And while it was the two-door coupe that was the most popular and is the best remembered today, the RX-3 was offered in coupe, sedan and wagon body styles – making it the first Mazda rotary estate car.

Mazda launched the new Mazda RX-3 in September 1971. Smaller and sportier than the Mazda RX-2, the rotary RX-3 was called the Mazda Savanna in Japan but it was largely identical to the in-line four-cylinder powered Mazda Grand Familia launched alongside it. As Mazda had done with previous models, offering a choice of piston or rotary powered versions increased the range and customer choice considerably.

The RX-3 became a popular and successful race car around the world – competing in the USA, Europe and Australia. 

In 1975 the RX-3s racetrack success really cemented the rotary engine and Mazda into the psyche of antipodean car fans, as Don Holland and Hiroshi Fushida won their class and came 5th overall at Bathurst with only V8 Holdens ahead of them.

In the United States the RX-3 was also popular and appeared in the famous Daytona 24 Hours.

Today, the Mazda RX-3 remains a popular choice for historic racers around the globe, while the car has gained cult status in the tuning, drifting and even drag racing worlds.

And remember, RX-3, 50 is the new 30!