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May 14

15 Iconic Vintage Cars with Rotary Engines

With a revolutionary design, the rotary engine became an iconic engineering masterpiece, promising a lighter, smoother, and more powerful driving experience. It featured a triangular rotor that smoothly spun within an oval chamber. Invented in the mid-1950s, it captured the imagination of car manufacturers worldwide. Discover the captivating story of classic cars powered by the rotary engine, a tale of innovation, triumph, and a touch of the unconventional.

Mazda Luce R130 coupe – 1969

Produced from 1969 to 1972, the Mazda Luce R130 coupe marked a significant milestone. It was Mazda’s first mass-produced car to be equipped with a Wankel engine, paving the way for future rotary successes like the RX-7. While not a powerhouse, it provided a glimpse into the potential of the rotary engine for everyday driving.

NSU Wankel Spider – 1964

The NSU Wankel Spider wasn’t just the first car commercially available with a rotary engine – it was a revolution. It gained acclaim for its sporty handling and innovative engine. It also won numerous awards, solidifying the Wankel engine’s benefits and paving the way for the NSU Ro80, the first mass-produced rotary car.

Mercedes-Benz C111 – 1969

Debuting in 1969, this futuristic concept used the rotary engine as a testbed for future technologies. The initial C111 featured a fiberglass body and a mid-mounted three-rotor Wankel engine, pushing boundaries with its 280 horsepower and stunning gullwing doors. Later iterations explored even more powerful four-rotor versions, achieving top speeds exceeding 180 mph.

Citroën GS Birotor – 1973

French automaker Citroën took a bold step in 1973 with the GS Birotor, pairing a two-rotor Wankel with a traditional piston engine for a balance of power and fuel efficiency. However, its complexity and high production costs proved to be its downfall, especially after the fuel crisis began.

Mazda RX-7 – 1978

While the Mercedes and Citroën dabbled in rotaries, Mazda truly embraced the technology. The Mazda RX-7, developed across three generations from 1978 to 2002, became the iconic rotary sports car. The first generation offered a lightweight chassis with a free-revving 1.1-liter twin-rotor engine. Later generations saw the introduction of turbochargers, boasting a nearly 300 horsepower twin-turbocharged engine.

Toyota 2000GT MF12 – 1967

Developed in 1967, the MF12 was a prototype built to explore the power of the rotary engine. Toyota equipped the 2000GT MF12 with a Yamaha-developed two-rotor Wankel engine, a unique collaboration between two Japanese giants. However, the rotary’s fuel consumption and emissions concerns led Toyota to abandon the project.

Chevrolet Corvette Aerovane – 1973

In 1973, General Motors developed the Chevrolet Corvette Aerovane, a concept car equipped with a two-rotor Wankel engine made by General Motors’ research division. While testing results were promising, the 1973 oil crisis and stricter emissions regulations forced GM to prioritize existing piston engine technology.

NSU Ro80 – 1967

The NSU Ro80, made from 1967 to 1977, holds a special place in rotary engine history. It was the first mass-produced car equipped with a Wankel engine, a significant achievement for German automaker NSU. The Ro80 offered a smooth, quiet ride and impressive performance for its time.

AutoVAZ 2108 Lada Samara – 1985

Developed as an alternative to traditional piston engines, the Wankel-powered AutoVAZ 2108 Lada Samara, available from 1985 onwards, might not be the first car that comes to mind when considering rotary engines. It remained a niche offering, with production ending in the early 1990s.

Eunos Cosmo – 1990

This luxurious coupe was the first and only Mazda with a powerful twin-turbocharged three-rotor engine capable of generating over 280 horsepower. The Eunos Cosmo offered a sublime driving experience, showcasing the refinement and potential of the rotary engine. Yet, its limited production run kept it from achieving widespread success.

Chevrolet Corvair Testudo – 1963

The Chevrolet Corvair Testudo, a 1963 concept car, offers a glimpse into an alternate reality for General Motors. This futuristic mid-engined sports car was built on the Corvair platform but featured a rotary engine instead of the standard flat-six. Nevertheless, GM’s concerns over the ongoing safety issues surrounding the Corvair platform ultimately led to the project’s cancellation.

Citroën M35 – 1970

As a futuristic concept car introduced in 1970, the M35 showcased Citroën’s bold experimentation with the rotary engine. This wedge-shaped vehicle featured a mid-mounted, air-cooled two-rotor Wankel engine and innovative features like variable-height suspension and unique gullwing doors.

AMC Pacer – 1971

AMC opted for the rotary engine due to its potential for compact size and smooth performance, producing the Pacer, which became the only American car available with a Wankel engine by American Motors Corporation. However, the chosen design proved troublesome. The rotary engine suffered from poor fuel economy and steering issues, and the car was dropped after two years.

Mazda 767B – 1991

Le Mans racing is known for brutal competition and technological innovation, and the 1991 Mazda 767B stands out as a revolutionary champion. This prototype race car defied expectations by becoming the first and only car powered by a rotary engine to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with its four-rotor engine.

Mazda Furai – 2008

Unveiled in 2008 to showcase Mazda’s continued fascination with the rotary engine, the Furai featured a sleek, aerodynamic design inspired by nature, with a lightweight construction and a mid-mounted rotary engine. The engine wasn’t a gasoline burner. Instead, it utilized a cutting-edge hydrogen rotary engine, hinting at a potential future for the technology beyond traditional fuels.

Aug 20

From one-of-a-kind vintage cars to modern-day speed machines, Ray’s collection is a rare find in rural Australia

From one-of-a-kind wonders to country song inspirations and plain old speed machines, Ray Richardson’s shed is dotted with cars that could each tell a tale or two.

The sapphire miner is known in central Queensland for his famous gem collection, but cars are where the self-proclaimed revhead’s true passion lies.

“It’s just a joy to come and sit out here and say, ‘Well, they’re all pretty special’,” he said.

“I’ve always been a revhead, so they’ve got to be able to get up pretty quick … and I just love travelling business class.”

Among the 25 cars and 15 bikes is a Bentley once owned by Davy Jones of The Monkees fame.

“[But] the pink Cadillac is probably the favourite,” he said.

Ray Richardson proudly puts his cars on show at the region’s Gemfields festival.(ABC Capricornia: Jasmine Hines)

That striking 1957 pink Cadillac, with the number plate ELVIS, is hard to miss.

Taking out the best-car award at the recent Elvis Presley festival in Parkes, the car has 8,700 miles (14,000 kilometres) on the clock, spending much of the past 45 years in showrooms.

The collection mostly remains on Mr Richardson’s property, but he does drive them for weddings or formals. He also took a handful out for a spin recently at the region’s annual Gemfields festival.

The fleet usually prompts a “huge” reaction from admiring tourists.

“[They say,] ‘fancy running into these cars out here at Anakie’. It’s the last thing they expect to see when they come out here,” Mr Richardson said.

“It does blow people away, especially if I pull up at the Rubyvale pub or something and I’m driving the pink Cadillac.

“They don’t expect to see it … that’s what it’s all about, that’s where the fun is.”

One of a kind

Years ago, in his early 20s, Mr Richardson’s pride and joy was his De Tomaso Pantera.

Motorhead fever struck, and his passion for cars grew from there — particularly ramping up in the past 15 years.

“Then someone would ring up and say there’s a nice car for sale, so I would do a bit of research on it and end up negotiating a deal on it,” he said.

“They’ve all got a little bit of significance,” Mr Richardson said, gesturing to his Shelby in the back of the shed.

“It’s one of the last Carroll Shelby made before he died and one of only three in Australia.”

Among the collection is also a one-of-a-kind 1979 Mini Moke.

“They only ever made two, and they wrecked one in testing, and this one was put away and has only done 194 miles,” Mr Richardson said.

Strolling through the mix of shining metal and loud exhausts is also a 1964 Mustang, one of the first off the assembly line.

Behind the shed, meanwhile, an eye-catching blue Buick beckons.

Once owned by country music singer Red Rivers, Mr Richardson said the car inspired the tune Baby Blue Buick.

The shed isn’t just for storing collectable cars and bikes, there’s also a 1950s American diner which Mr Richardson often uses for grading gems — in part thanks to the illuminating afternoon light.

“It was just a bit of a theme for the kids; you drive down my driveway and there’s an American garage on the street with the bowsers out the front and the diner on the corner with lots of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe in there.”

Mr Richardson has no plans to put the fleet in any formal display, and there’s one general rule when he’s looking for a possible new acquisition — it can’t be a Holden.

Aug 19

Discover the Legendary 1968 Ford Bronco U13 Roadster: A Rare Classic Pickup

The Allure of the 1968 Ford Bronco U13 Roadster

Vintage Ford Broncos are known for their cool factor, rarity, and steep prices, but none rival the exclusivity of the 1968 Bronco U13 Roadster. As the most elusive of the classic Broncos, only 26 of these models are known to exist today. With the classic Bronco’s soaring popularity, both new and vintage models have seen sky-high prices, but the U13 Roadster stands out as a particularly rare gem.

A Brief History of the Ford Bronco U13 Roadster

Introduced in 1965, the original Ford Bronco was available in three versions: the Wagon, the Half-Cab, and the Roadster. The Roadster, with its distinctive lack of doors and roof, was offered only until 1968 and was the least popular variant of the early Broncos. Among the 212 Roadsters produced in 1968, only a few remain, making this model one of the rarest and most sought-after vintage pickups.

The Legacy of the First-Generation Bronco

The first-generation Bronco, designed to compete with the Jeep CJ5, has a storied history shared with the Ford Mustang’s development team. Notable figures like Donald N. Frey and Paul G. Axelrad, along with the oversight of Lee Iacocca, were instrumental in its creation. While early models featured a modest 2.8-liter straight-six engine, the 1966 introduction of a 4.7-liter V8 showcased the Bronco’s evolving performance capabilities.

The Unique Charm of the Bronco Roadster

The Bronco Roadster’s unique design concept, eliminating the doors and roof, is almost unheard of in today’s automotive market. Despite the common body design across Bronco models, the Roadster’s lack of roof and doors made it less popular. Collectors highly prize genuine Roadsters, and verifying authenticity requires checking the VIN to ensure the model hasn’t been converted.

For enthusiasts and collectors seeking one of the rarest vintage trucks, the U13 Roadster represents a coveted find. Keep a sharp eye out, as more converted models may surface, adding to the current count of 26 known originals.

Tag: vintage