The Amazing Mazda RX-3

In the Spring of 1972, the RX-3/808/Grand Familia replaced the R100/1200/Familia in the United States.  This car was supposed to replace the Familia altogether, but the Energy Crisis struck and the smaller models sold better in Japan and Europe. Since the Grand Familia had already been developed and America liked big cars, they sent it there. The 1200 would make a return appearance in the US for 1973 only.

The RX-3 is the immediate ancestor of the RX-7, both part of the Savanna lineage in Japan.  During its seven years of production, it would establish itself as the world's most successful rotary engined car, selling almost 220,000.  Although the Savanna looked very much like its piston-engined counterpart, they had different dashboards , trim and equipment and were considered separate model lines.  The RX-3 was available as a coupe, sedan and wagon.  An 808 sedan wasn't offered in the US in 1972. Although it was smaller and lighter than the RX-2 and shared the same 12A engine, it was not as fast, at least not in the US.  I've never seen an adequate explanation why.  It did handle better and was wider than the RX-2, so it made a better performance and race car.  The RX-3 had a long and successful competition history, so much so that one won the 1983 IMSA RS Manufacturer's Championship six years after the car was discontinued.

In all respects, this is the car that made Mazda and kept it from becoming a predecessor of Isuzu/Suzuki/Daihatsu in the US market.  If they had been able to press on with their plan to go totally rotary, they may have rivaled Datsun/Honda.  As it is, they've been shuttled off to the side with Subaru as a maker of specialty cars.