Originally Posted by SHPmainMAN (Post 40635)

to me, that car is like mazdas skyline... it doesnt have the sportiest look, but it hauls ass.

Originally Posted by from the ad

Sellers Notes:
"This is a VERY RARE opportunity for the SERIOUS Mazda / Rotary collector!! I am offering for sale my 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo (JCESE100439). Commonly referred to in Mazda circles (or in particular Rotary Engine circles), as a “JC” Cosmo. JC represents the first two letters in the VIN. It also differentiates which “Cosmo” you are referring to.

A little history lesson...Mazda has used the Cosmo badge on three occasions. The first was the Cosmo 110S Sport – this was Mazda’s very first production vehicle with a rotary engine. It was a sports car that was heavily campaigned and most notably raced and won on France’s Marathon de la Route. As most manufacturers do, Mazda attempted to revive lagging U.S. rotary sales during the oil crisis of the 70’s and rebadged an RX-5 as a Cosmo. The only differences between an RX-5 and an RX-5 Cosmo were cosmetic.

During the short absence in the U.S. of the RX-7 between the second and third generation body styles, Mazda introduced a luxury performance sedan for sale in Japan only. They had been working on a variety of three rotor and four rotor racing engines in preparation for their run at Le Mans – ultimately winning in 1991 with all three cars finishing in the top 8 (placing 1st, 6th and 8th). This was Mazda's first win at Le Mans and the first time the race was ever won with a non-piston engine. Rotary engines were banned the following year. Mazda was simultaneously developing a twin sequential turbo system – adopted (can you say "stolen") by Porsche’s racing program the year after Mazda introduced it. The three rotor version made it into 3500 JC Cosmo units from 1990 to 1995. The JC Cosmo is an amazingly technologically advanced vehicle for it’s time. Twin Sequentially Turbocharged 2.0 liter 3 Rotor (20B) engine producing 300 hp. 6 Speed automatic transmission. Steering wheel controls. All the things we take for granted today were on a production vehicle in 1990! Although the Type E (shown below) was not available with the touch screen T.V., the Type E.CCS was the first car to be equipped with in-car satellite navigation.
This JC Cosmo is one of only 3 (possibly only 2) known to be legally registered in the U.S. Additionally, it is the finest example of any JC Cosmo, anywhere in the world. There are estimated to be less than 750 still on the road today. Most ended up in junk yards in Japan or have had their precious engines yarded out and transplanted into sand rails or other rotary cars. The 20B engine can be modified to easily produce between 500 and 1000 hp.

This car has had a painstaking 5 year restoration using only NOS parts imported from Japan. Many of the items I ordered were the last ones in stock making any future restorations even that more difficult. It has a completely new interior, a fresh world class paint job in the original color. Every piece of trim was removed from the car during a $12K repaint and was replaced with NOS trim including the front windshield.

I was fortunate enough to find a zero run time crate motor (D Series) shortly after I acquired the car (I am the third owner – the first was a Japanese diplomat, the second was his friend). The engine compartment was also restored when I replaced the engine and the turbos were upgraded (fresh turbos from DO Engineering in Japan – the world leader in this application). Any part that was suspect was ordered and replaced. The only modifications to the car are rims (Konig Imagines), exhaust and matched upgraded ECU (RE Amemiya), and front and rear sway bars (Club Cosmo). The car could be returned to bone stock in less than 3 hours. I have all of the original components (motor, turbos, exhaust, ECU, rims and tires). Additionally, I have collected many spare parts, thousands of dollars in NOS parts (including a brand new spare windsheild), as well as, a complete front clip (minus engine), multiple transmissions, body panels, glass, a rear end, turbo sets, etc.

If you did not know better, you would think that this car was brand new, or a Mazda Show Car Prototype - that is how magnificent the condition of this vehicle is - few cars are perfect - this one is as close as it gets!! The engine now has about 2000 miles on it - remember it isn't a rebuild - it is a factory new - zero run time motor when installed - ultra rare!!

Sale will include all original and spare components, as well as, all literature, brochures and manuals (both hard copy and on CD).

Clear Washington State Title. Currently Registered in the State of Washington and insured through Grundy."

Originally Posted by Miata_mx5 (Post 40731)

The 8 Series cars are badass, but they can be money pits.

If one is barely trying to afford one, they probably will not have the funds for the car's upkeep.

I drive an R32 GT-R. The Cosmo's concept is very similar to that of the GT-R. Touring oriented sports coupe'. Both are pretty ugly, and meant to appeal to an older crowd. But, the lack of a proper transmission is the Cosmo's weak point. That being said, they have a ton of potential, and torque (relatively speaking).

A Skyline GT-R, and a cosmo would need a bit of mods to keep up with modern sportscars anyway.

Originally Posted by Herblenny (Post 40632)

Canada will allow 15 or older Japanese cars to be street legal... Which means more and more Cosmo could be legalized thru Canada (and newer cosmos) to USA:)

Originally Posted by classicauto (Post 40891)

I knew there was a reason for everyone buddying up with us Canucks. I feel used!!! :rofl:

Originally Posted by RotorDad (Post 85224)

a sleeper is anything that would be viewed as not a worry in the car scene, but in fact is actually fast. cosmo's are not known to all & can be made fast thus making it a sleeper. hondas while make decent built cars have lost sleeper status in my eyes because they are everywhere & it's known there are quite a few that are contenders. now a real sleeper would be a old school 323 with a rotary or a beetle with a porsche turbo flat 6

Originally Posted by Herblenny (Post 40632)

But personally, I don't care much about 20B cosmos.

Originally Posted by Bryan@BNR (Post 86234)

now I have a sleeper!!! the 323 GTX that is all modded out! It has different color fender, messed up door but by god it runs great. Just ask Kevin Henderson!

Originally Posted by GreatShamanGT (Post 86449)

LOL, I love all of Phils comments. The funniest thing is, he has a Eunos Cosmos now =P