How Far Mazda & the Rotary Have Come
 

Thought some of the younger RX8 viewers would like to see this picture. It is of a RX2 back in November 1973. I was driving from Cailfornia to Salt Lake City, Utah. Anyone that has driven that route knows how long and boring it is. At that time there was no speed limit in Nevada and I was running at ~115 mph (the RX2 woundn't do much more than 1200). There was a cross wind (that is why the steering wheel is not centered) so I though it was best to slow down to 95mph when I grabed my camera. RPM was 5450 and yellow line is 6500. Note the design of the dash! Isn't the 8 much imporved? Also note that the RX2 sucked down the fuel at that speed. I think I got ~ 12 mpg.

I don't see an attached pic but sounds pretty cool. Mmmm ... 6500rpm. Heck, that pic you took would be 5 years before I was born.

Sorry the picture was over 200K. Changing that now and will upload soon.

Here is the picture.

I bought a 35mm slide scanner to convert my old pictures to digital. Been having fun going through old pictures like this. Got a few from a junk drag race strip in Fontana, California well before California Speedway was built. This is before rear engine drag cars existed. I was stationed at George AFB near Victorville. Was in my 20's. Many memories.
Then I got married and had kids that are now in their 20's.

Wow ... that is a pretty interesting pic! You weren't lying when you say that you were going 95 ... look ma, no hands!

I think it's interesting to see the old Mazda insignia and the analog clock. I actually wouldn't mind an analog clock in the 8!

Thanks for sharing

Remember what was playing on that pushbutton AM radio? Car audio has also come a long way.

I'll let you borrow my earth, wind and fire 8 track if you promise to return it. Even though the rx2 was 2 yrs old when I was born, I have always enjoyed the earlier wankel's....Man I miss my repu. Great pic, thanks for sharing. Enjoy taking walk down memory lane with rest of pics

Too bad about the speed limits these days.

What gives? Besides Las Vegas, Nevada is about as sparsely populated as it used to be, and the cars today are FAR FAR better than those back then. Ever driven I80? Nobody is on it.

Why can't we have no speed limits back in place like NV or MT or WY? Oh, because then what would law enforcement do to get money???? I forgot, money is the end all answer to just about everything.

I have a good friend who drove an RX 2 across the country around 1980 or so wtih blown side seals. He had to coast it down a hill or have it towed about a quarter mile to blow the coolant out of the combustion chambers before it would light. To get it across the country he had two keys so he could let it idle in diner parking lots while he ate and such, and he could only sleep if he could find a long enough hill to get it going again, which is difficult in much of the middle of the country. The rotary design has certainly come a long way, in many ways.

Good old evolution improves the breed...

What a great pic. That radio kicks ass! Ive still got an analog am/fm radio in my 68 stang. Talk about needing an overdrive gear!

Brings back great memories. :D Wasn't the RX 2 engine listed as 90 cu in and 140 hp?

NO the reverse. It was smaller at 70 cu in. and ~100 hp. R100 10A had a 60 incher at 60mm wide housing, RX2&3 had 12A at 70 and 70 mm wide, 13B is 80 at 80.