The Mazda RX-5, sold in some markets as the Mazda Cosmo, is one of the more distinctive rotary-powered grand tourers of the 1970s. Produced from 1975 to 1981, it combined Mazda’s smooth, high-revving 13B rotary engine with a longer, more luxurious coupe body, giving drivers something different from the typical piston-engine sports cars of the era. Its bold opera-window styling, plush interior, and relaxed cruising character made it a fascinating blend of Japanese innovation and personal luxury coupe design.

For enthusiasts, the RX-5 is significant because it sits in Mazda’s rotary timeline between the earlier RX coupes and the legendary RX-7. While the RX-7 became the lightweight performance icon, the RX-5 showed how flexible rotary power could be, offering refinement, compact engine packaging, and a unique driving feel. An interesting piece of trivia is that the Cosmo name had already been used on Mazda’s beautiful 1960s Cosmo Sport, the company’s first production rotary car, giving the RX-5 a direct link to Mazda’s pioneering rotary heritage.

Today, the Mazda RX-5 is a rare classic, especially in Australia, where surviving examples attract attention from rotary fans and collectors who appreciate unusual Japanese motoring history. At Automotive Superstore, owners and restorers can find essential parts, oils, filters, ignition components, detailing products, tools, and accessories to help maintain, refresh, or preserve classic Mazdas like the RX-5.