5 Legendary Mazda Race Cars

With more than a century of motor sports history, there have been a lot of popular, cool race cars. These vehicles have awesome looks, innovative designs, plenty of power, and amazing speed. Here are some legendary race cars that have revolutionized the sport and still live on in people’s imaginations. View our new inventory today, or If you have any questions give us a call at (817) 663-7404.

The Mazda 787 and 787B

Mazda built two 787s in 1990, and they were based on the 767 and 767B designs used in 1988 and 1989. The 787B was introduced in 1991, and three vehicles were built. Mazda replaced the 767s 13J Wankel rotary engine with the new R26B. The 2.6-liter engine produced 900 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque, but it was limited to 700 horsepower during the race to make sure that it could keep running the entire time.

The 787 also had redesigned doors with intakes in the front of the door and no exit behind. They made the body look smoother and sleeker. This vehicle also has intakes on the sides for even more engine and brake cooling. The carbon fiber and Kevlar body gave the 787 and 787B even more speed, and it only weighed 1,830 pounds. The improved suspension allowed larger wheels, and it had carbon-ceramic brakes, a first for a Mazda racing car.

The design used peripheral intake ports, continually variable geometry intakes, a third spark plug on each of its four rotors, and sophisticated carbon fiber apex seals. The radiator was inside the cockpit in the 767. In the 787, it was in the nose, providing extra cooling and encouraging air to move from the blunt nose of the car, underneath the body, and through the radiator before exiting in front of the windshield. A Gurney flap at the radiator exit increased a downward force near the front end. The 787B had a 3.5-liter engine, and it provided 630 horsepower.

The Mazda 787B entered and won the 59th 24 Heures du Mans, also called Le Mans, in June 1991. It was the first victory at the event by a Japanese car company. In the early part of the race, the number 55 787B became one of the top cars. With three hours left in the race, the 787B took first place and raced on to victory.

Updates for racing regulations made this race the final year that the 787B and other rotary-powered racing cars could compete in 24 Heures du Mans. Along with this race, the 787 or 787B competed in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, the Sportscar World Championship, the Suzuka Circuit, Sportsland SUGO, Nürburgring, and Magny-Cours. Today, the Mazda 787B prototype in on display at the company’s museum in Japan.

The Mazda RX-7

Mazda produced the Mazda RX-7 from 1978 to 2002. This car won the championship in the 24 Hours of Daytona series for seven consecutive years. In 1981, it won the Spa 24 Hours race, and Canadian driver Alan Moffat steered it to victory in the Australian Touring Car Championships in 1983. The RX-7 also got three podium places in the Bathurst 1000 race, part of the demanding Mount Panorama circuit.

The 1985 model had a 1.3-liter rotary engine similar to the ones in production. It also had upgraded rotors, housings, and other components, and it produced 345 horsepower. From 1985 to 1991, this model achieved victories at a variety of racetracks, including Riverside, Summit Point, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Sebring, and Mid Ohio. Mazda still displays the RX-7 frequently, and it has participated in vintage racing events at Daytona and Sebring.

Lotus 79

The Lotus 79 is a Formula One race car designed in 1977. It was the first Formula One car to take full advantage of aerodynamic ground effects to create a downward force and increase traction and speed. People called this car Black Beauty for its clean lines and unique look.

It debuted at the 1978 Belgian Grand Prix and received several wins that year. In 1979, it was replaced by the Lotus 80, but carmakers soon returned to the more successful Lotus 79. Many Formula One cars today are based on its aerodynamic, elegant design. You can play as the Lotus 79 in the Formula One 05 video game for PlayStation 2.

The Tyrrell P34

Image via Flickr by Supermac1961

The Tyrrell P34 was introduced in 1975, and it won 10 times in 1976. Along with regularly sized rear wheels, it had four 10-inch front wheels to reduce drag, increase traction, and make the brakes more powerful. This unique vehicle had portholes in the sides of the cockpit so that drivers could see the front tires and stay in their lanes more.

People often call the Tyrrell P34 the six-wheeler, and it competed in the Spanish Grand Prix and won the Swedish Grand Prix. The Tyrrell P34 also competed at Anderstorp, Mosport Park, Watkins Glen, Fuji, the Österreichring, Brands Hatch, Jarama, and the Nürburgring. It was redesigned in 1977, and it became the wider, heavier P34B. This car only won one race, but its radical design makes it memorable even with today’s advanced technology. It’s popular at historic racing events, and it won the Thoroughbred Grand Prix series in 2000 and 2008. It also competed many times at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The DeltaWing

Nissan’s DeltaWing debuted at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it’s so long and thin that it looks more like a rocket than a conventional car. Despite the name, it doesn’t have any front or rear wings. The 1.6-liter engine generates 300 horsepower, and it’s connected to a five-speed manual transmission. This innovative vehicle’s racing life ended in 2016 at the Petit Le Mans. New regulations in 2017 meant it couldn’t continue competing.

Mazda Legendary Race Cars In Fort Worth, TX

These awesome cars are part of racing history, and they’re legends in the automotive world. Can you think of any more cool race cars? Contact us at Hiley Mazda at Fort Worth and let us know! We can help you find a vehicle that’s as amazing as one of these great rides. We’re open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.