MAZDA RX7 SERIES 1-3

MAZDA'S FIRST proper sports coupe since the 1960s’ 110S came with a 1.2-litre rotary engine, hidden headlights and high expectations.

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The shape had been penned in-house by Mazda stylist Matasaburo Maeda, with elements of its long-nose/hatchback-tail configuration shared with Nissan's 240Z/260Z.

Mazda's effort was slimmer and lighter than the Z cars, but with less power and very different engine characteristics. Owners who hadn't previously owned a rotary would moan about their 'gutless' RX7s; only accessing the cars' full potential when someone familiar with the Wankel power unit suggested they ignore the bottom half of the tachometer.