Vehicle Description
Chassis No. PG6SA101694
In the late 1980s, Mazda's diversification of its sales channels in
the Japanese domestic market encompassed the launch of three new
marques: ?~fini, Eunos, and Autozam. Amidst Autozam's lineup of
inexpensive and compact "Kei" cars - a low road tax vehicle
category with restrictions on displacement and dimensions - was a
mid-engined, turbocharged, gullwing-doored sports car. The Autozam
AZ-1, which had begun life as a Suzuki concept car in the
mid-1980s, was reimagined by Toshihiko Hirai, father of the Mazda
MX-5, and entered production in October 1992.
The AZ-1's cheerful styling was a scaled-down amalgamation of the
most exotic sports car designs of the day, featuring the Ferrari
Testarossa's straked side intakes and gullwing doors resembling
those of the DeLorean DMC-12. Its sporting character was carried
inside with vibrant upholstery, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and
white-faced instruments. Facing competition from Honda's Beat and
Suzuki's Cappuccino, the AZ-1 was the most advanced and expensive
of the three, featuring a tube frame chassis with aluminum
honeycomb bulkheads dressed in fiberglass body panels. With a
diminutive curb weight of just 1,587 pounds, its mid-mounted 63
horsepower three-cylinder turbo engine provided just enough punch
for a delightful, tire-screeching driving experience. However, its
�1.49 million Japanese yen price tag (approximately $12,000) made
the AZ-1 a hard sell over the slightly more expensive, but nearly
twice as powerful MX-5. Compounded by a severe economic recession
in Japan prior to its launch, Mazda sold fewer than 4,500 examples
over a two-year period.
This Autozam AZ-1, was reportedly purchased from an importer by
Keith Martin, editor of Sports Car Market in early 2018, who said
of his time with the car, "During its time with SCM, it became
everyone's favorite car, both for its striking gullwing doors and
its high fun-factor as a driver." The uncommon Kei car was acquired
to be part of a memorable drive down the Pacific Coast from
Portland, Oregon to Monterey, California for that year's Monterey
Motorsports Reunion. While underway the car suffered a head gasket
issue during the trip. It has since been repaired with a new head
gasket, spark plugs, and aftermarket blowoff valve, later changing
hands in April 2019.
Today, the AZ-1 is presented with numerous performance-inspired
modifications including white-painted RAYS alloy wheels,
aftermarket rocker panels, and a body-color rear spoiler. Service
performed under previous ownership is said to have included
bleeding the brake system, replacing the oil pan gasket, and
installing larger sway bars, stainless steel brake lines, and an
aftermarket exhaust system in January 2020. Showing 58,301
kilometers on the odometer at the time of cataloging, this uncommon
Japanese-market sports car promises to deliver many mid-engined
thrills to its next owner.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may
only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of
California or to a licensed automotive dealer.
