1992 Mazda Autozam AZ-1 Sells for $23,500, Captivates New Generation of Fans

Japan’s kei car regulations in the early 1990s capped length, width, engine size, and power in ways that pushed engineers toward inventive solutions. Mazda’s short-lived Autozam brand answered with a mid-engined two seater that looked ready to join far larger and more expensive exotics on any road. A 1992 AZ-1 example with roughly 33,400 miles recently changed hands at auction for $23,500. That figure drew attention because the car produces only 63 horsepower. Once the gullwing doors rise, though, the entire package starts to make sense to anyone who values presence over outright speed.

Suzuki’s mid-1980s prototypes, which experimented with mid-engine layouts within kei limitations, served as the foundation for development. Mazda then took up the idea, naming it the AZ-550 and presenting three different body versions at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. After further testing, they decided to produce the variation with gull wing doors.

The production cars measured 3,295 millimeters long, 1395 millimeters wide, and 1,150 millimeters tall. Weighing 720 kg, it was no slouch, thanks to a steel perimeter frame covered in lightweight composite panels that could be easily replaced after a bump or two. The engine, as it turned out, was mounted behind the cabin and drove the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

Suzuki generously offered a 657 cubic centimeter turbocharged three-cylinder engine for the AZ-1, which had the most power allowed under kei rules at the time, 64 PS at 6,500 rpm and 85 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. So, what about the AZ-1’s suspension and brakes? Independent struts all around and compact disc brakes, along with quick steering, keep the handling responsive. The car’s weight distribution was around 44% front and 56% rear.

In the real world, that translated into a 9 to 11 second sprint to 100 km/h for the pros and a top speed electronically limited to 140 km/h, but those modest stats belied a truly fascinating compact motorcar on a twisty route. At the time, reviewers lauded its sharp handling and lovely balance, which begged to be propelled forward by fluid inputs.

Design-wise, it was a bit of a cheat, since they replicated the styling of Italian supercars, with a low wedge shape, a big rear spoiler, and side intakes that screamed ‘look at me’. The gull wing doors hinged along the ceiling added to the drama while also allowing them to remove the body without utilizing B pillars. The side windows were more minimalist, with only minor folding sections, which was done on purpose to make the car appear more exotic.

Of course, not everything was perfect; taller drivers had to lower their necks slightly for the roof mechanism, and there was no automatic transmission, making it out of reach for certain buyers. It sat higher than the Suzuki Cappuccino and the Honda Beat.The Japanese economy’s bubble burst shortly after its inception, and demand was smaller than expected.

From October 1992 to 1994, they produced 4,392 AZ-1s. Suzuki later added a distinct “Cara” model, which raised the platform total by a notch or two. Unfortunately, this resulted in a huge number of unsold vehicles in storage, necessitating special edition runs to clear inventory. The limited numbers have spurred collector demand for the AZ-1, and you can now get an immaculate original example for a good price, far more than you would pay for a similar kei sports car from the same era.
[Source]