Cosmo Sport 110S: Mazda Gem of the Day

1970 Cosmo Sport 110S: Mazda Gem of the Day

The Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S is more than a cool-looking novelty with Italian-style glass-covered headlights, slim chrome bumpers, wrap-around front and rear windshields, and vented front fenders. The high-revving rotary engine, four-speed transmission and lightweight body combine to produce a driver’s car that will make you smile.

On offer is a fine, mostly original example of a very rare 110S Export model Cosmo with cosmetic and major mechanical improvements recently performed on that comes from the large private collection of a JDM enthusiast.

Although the number of previous owners is not known, the previous owner, an avid JDM collector, purchased this Cosmo Sport 110S from one of the largest rotary-engined car collections in Japan in 2014. He imported it and titled it and added it to his impressive collection. This wonderful example has only ever been regularly maintained and is in predominantly original condition. In Japan and today, it’s been stored in a climate-controlled environment.

Most websites identify just two versions of the Mazda Cosmo, L10A Series I short wheelbase and L10B Series II long wheelbase, however, there was in fact a 3rd “interim” version. After beginning production of the L10B, Mazda recognized a growing interest from outside their homeland.

Rather than putting stress on their already limited production capabilities, they took the remaining stock of L10A engines and bodies and rebadged them as “110S Export” models. These are very easily identified by the “Made in Japan” stamped into the hood latch and the large open “guppy-mouth” air dam below the front bumper, which was a modification made for the L10B longer wheel-based body.

Though purchased from a Japanese collection, this car on offer is easily identifiable as a legitimate 110S Export model. The official export certificate, states that this car was first registered in Japan in 1970 and is simply one example that never left the country.

This example was purchased in great survivor condition. The body was recently treated to a bare-metal repaint in correct Swan White over newly upholstered seats with proper black and white houndstooth seat pattern. The maroon carpet is original to this car.

Exterior chrome was removed and professionally replated and reinstalled. New tires were added. Most importantly, the original Mazda 110 motor has been recently completely rebuilt by an experienced Mazda rotary specialist tech and tuner.

The motor compartment benefits from a detail in the original Swan White as the motor was out for rebuilding. The odometer currently shows 81,000 KM (51,000 miles) with the original Clarion radio and period Pioneer speakers in the rear tray.

In 1966 Mazda launched its first rotary, the Cosmo L10A, which went into production the following year. Mazda’s flagship model, the Cosmo, was powered by a twin-rotor engine displacing 982cc and producing 110bhp which was enough to endow the pretty two-seater coupé with a top speed of 110mph.

Production was limited, and when the Cosmo was phased out in 1972 only 1,519 had been made, of which 343 were the Series I L10A and 1,176 were the Series II L10B version. It is unknown how many 110S Export models were built.

In the world of collectible Japanese cars, the Mazda Cosmo ranks in the top tier, alongside its high-performance Toyota and Nissan competitors, the 2000GT and the Skyline GT-R.

This example is one of the nicest to be found with fresh exterior cosmetics and the original 110 rotor motor professionally rebuilt.

This Mazda Cosmo Sport 100S was offered for sale at Vintage Motors of Sarasota Inc.