History originally published in AutoWeek May 7, 1984 The thrill was back, they told us, and how right they were. Emissions controls, beginning in the 1968 model year, had gradually turned most new cars into performance eunuchs. But Mazda was different, and the power of its Wankel engine made the phrase “rotary rocket” part of […]
Honda CVCC: Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion
History originally published in Sport Compact Car January 2000 In the early 70s, carmakers were staring at impending emissions regulations and the OPEC fuel embargo like they would the business end of a double barreled shotgun. The tough 1975 California emissions standards threatened entire car lines, and the only manufacturer with a proven ability to […]
Boom Box or Sports Car: Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak
Contemporary review originally published in Corridor Today February 12, 1988 Okay, Nissan, we’re on to you. This isn’t a car. It is really the world’s largest boombox. You know, one of those huge radios kids carry around, some of them in electric colors and pop styling (both the kids and radios). Otherwise how you explain […]
1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV: The Orient Express
First published in the book, Sports Car Color History Mazda RX-7 (1994) by John Matras 1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV; photos by John Matras The first Infini was a 1987 Mazda 323. But it was more than an ordinary 323, more than the turbocharged 323 GT already on the market in Japan, even more than […]
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