Mazda Roadpacer
Encyclopedia
The Mazda Roadpacer AP is a full-size sedan that was sold by Mazda
Motor Corp. of Japan
between 1975 and 1977. It was based on the Australia
n Holden HJ
and HX
series Premier
. Premiers were shipped to Japan without engines, and Mazda fitted a 1.3-liter 13B Wankel engine
into the bay. Although the engine produced 100 kW and 138 newton metre of torque, the Roadpacer weighed 1575 kilograms (3,472.3 lb).
While the 13B produced more power than the Red series motors that powered the equivalent Holdens, the lack of torque meant performance was restrained with a 166 kilometres per hour (103.1 mph) top speed, poor acceleration and terrible fuel consumption. Contemporary reports suggest 9 mpg (26 L per 100 km).
While the Holden HJ Premier itself was well endowed with items, Mazda decided to add many more. Gadgets of note include a central locking system that activated when the car hit 10 km/h (6.2 mph), a chime system that activated at 90 km/h (56 mph), a dictation system and a stereo able to be controlled from both front and back seats.
The price was also considered high at 3.8 million yen (US$10,000) in 1975. This was about twice the price of a contemporary Mazda Cosmo
. Originally intended as transport for high-ranking government officials, the car was sold in the wake of the first fuel crisis and was not a commercial success. Production ceased in 1977 with only 800 units sold.
The Roadpacer has the sole distinction of a General Motors product being fitted for production with a rotary engine.
Most were sold to government departments and were later crushed, meaning Roadpacers are rare nowadays; their counterpart model, the Holden Premier
is considered a classic car
in Australia
.
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
Motor Corp. of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
between 1975 and 1977. It was based on the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Holden HJ
Holden HJ
The Holden HJ is a series of automobiles which were produced by General Motors-Holden’s in Australia from 1974 to 1976. The HJ series was released on 4 October 1974 and was an improved and facelifted version of the superseded Holden HQ series which had been in production since 1971.- Model range...
and HX
Holden HX
The Holden HX is a range of automobiles which was produced by General Motors-Holden’s in Australia from 1976 to 1977.-Changes:The HX series was released in July 1976 and featured a range of models developed from those in the superseded Holden HJ range, which had been in production since 1974. The...
series Premier
Holden Premier
The Holden Premier is an automobile that was produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors between 1962 and 1980. The Premier was an upmarket version of the:* Holden Standard/Special: between 1962 and 1968....
. Premiers were shipped to Japan without engines, and Mazda fitted a 1.3-liter 13B Wankel engine
Wankel engine
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that...
into the bay. Although the engine produced 100 kW and 138 newton metre of torque, the Roadpacer weighed 1575 kilograms (3,472.3 lb).
While the 13B produced more power than the Red series motors that powered the equivalent Holdens, the lack of torque meant performance was restrained with a 166 kilometres per hour (103.1 mph) top speed, poor acceleration and terrible fuel consumption. Contemporary reports suggest 9 mpg (26 L per 100 km).
While the Holden HJ Premier itself was well endowed with items, Mazda decided to add many more. Gadgets of note include a central locking system that activated when the car hit 10 km/h (6.2 mph), a chime system that activated at 90 km/h (56 mph), a dictation system and a stereo able to be controlled from both front and back seats.
The price was also considered high at 3.8 million yen (US$10,000) in 1975. This was about twice the price of a contemporary Mazda Cosmo
Mazda Cosmo
There have been four generations of Mazda automobiles which went by the name of Cosmo, although they are not all particularly related. All were Grand tourers, with the first proving a successful launch for the Mazda Wankel engine and acting as a "halo" vehicle for the new Mazda brand...
. Originally intended as transport for high-ranking government officials, the car was sold in the wake of the first fuel crisis and was not a commercial success. Production ceased in 1977 with only 800 units sold.
The Roadpacer has the sole distinction of a General Motors product being fitted for production with a rotary engine.
Most were sold to government departments and were later crushed, meaning Roadpacers are rare nowadays; their counterpart model, the Holden Premier
Holden Premier
The Holden Premier is an automobile that was produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors between 1962 and 1980. The Premier was an upmarket version of the:* Holden Standard/Special: between 1962 and 1968....
is considered a classic car
Classic car
A classic car is an older car; the exact meaning is variable. The Classic Car Club of America maintains that a car must be between 20 and 40 years old to be a classic, while cars over 45 years fall into the Antique Class.- Classic Car Club of America :...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.