Mazda R360 (1960- 966)

De Mazda R360 was built between 1960 and 1966 and this two-door, four-seater coupe was the first real car of MazdaThe model had a short wheelbase of 1,7 meters and weighed only 380 kg. The rear-mounted engine was an air-cooled 356 cc V-twin engine that delivered approximately 16 hp. This resulted in a top speed of 84 km/h.

Mazda R360 coupe

History and background

The Mazda R360 marks a special moment in Mazda's history. Although the brand had been active in three-wheelers and small commercial vehicles for years, the R360 was the Japanese brand's very first true passenger car in 1960. And what a car it was: small, light, charming, and surprisingly cleverly designed.

Japan was in the midst of an economic growth phase in the early 1960s. Small, affordable cars were becoming increasingly popular, and so-called “kei cars”—ultra-compact cars with tax benefits—were growing rapidly. Mazda wanted to build a car that was as light and efficient as possible, yet comfortable enough for daily use. The result was the R360 Coupé, a tiny two-door that looked as if it had driven straight out of a Japanese cartoon.

The R360 was an instant hit. Mazda managed to capture a large market share in the kei class in a short time, and the car became an unexpected success. That success gave Mazda the confidence to continue growing as a car manufacturer. Without the R360, Mazda probably would never have taken the step towards models like the Cosmo, RX-7, or MX-5. Sometimes a great adventure simply begins with a car that nowadays even a shopping cart looks bigger next to it.

the interior of the Mazda R360

Design and interior

The design of the Mazda R360 is typical of the early sixties: friendly, compact, and almost endearingly cute. The round headlights, small grille, and flowing lines give the car an almost toy-like appearance. Yet, there was serious engineering behind the design. Mazda used many aluminum parts to keep the weight low, something that was quite progressive for such an inexpensive car at the time.

The car had a compact coupé shape with a steeply sloping roofline and small fin-like details at the rear. Despite its minimal dimensions, Mazda managed to give the R360 a surprisingly elegant appearance. Even today, the model looks cheerful and likeable — a car that spontaneously brings a smile to the faces of passersby.

Model variants

• Mazda R360 Coupe (1960–1966) — standard two-door coupe, air-cooled V-twin
• Mazda R360 Deluxe — more luxurious finish with extra trim and better upholstery
• Mazda R360 Automatic — equipped with an automatic transmission, rare for that time

Inside, everything revolved around simplicity. The dashboard was uncluttered and minimalist, with simple gauges and thin steering wheels like those often seen during that period. Luxury was, of course, relative, but compared to many other kei cars, the R360 offered a considerable amount of comfort. The seats were soft, the all-round visibility excellent, and thanks to its low weight, the car felt lively. You just shouldn't carry too many groceries, because then it suddenly became very cramped on board.

Mazda P360: a modern Kei car

The Japanese government created a microcar segment, the Kei car, in 1949. At the time, the Mazda R360 was the first Kei car to be a coupe. Compared to the sedans and hatchbacks available at the time, this little car was super sporty. On the day of its launch, 4500 units were sold. By the end of the 60s, Mazda’s microcar held 15% of the total domestic market. The model was a success! Within a few years, Mazda held a large share of the entire compact lightweight car segment in Japan. The model was complemented by the Mazda P360 “Carol” 2+2 in 1962, followed by a convertible in 1964.

The modest two-cylinder engine

In addition to its modern style, the car also featured a four-speed manual transmission and Japan's first semi-automatic transmission. The modern car also had a four-stroke engine, which was a huge difference compared to the two-stroke engines of the other Kei cars. This new engine made the cute Kei car quieter and more fuel-efficient.

To make the car lighter, Japanese engineers used aluminum cylinder heads and a hood. The transmission case was cast from a magnesium alloy, and the rear window was made of plexiglass. The total weight of the car was only 380 kilograms, allowing a top speed of 90 km/h to be reached, despite the V-twin engine producing only 16 hp.

Mazda B360

The B360 was a pickup truck version of the R360, based on parts of the R360 coupe. The model had the same 356 cc engine, but in this model, it was located at the front and drove the rear wheels. In 1964, this model received the engine from the Carol in the form of a 358 cc I4. The following year, the B360 was replaced by the Mazda E360.

Mazda B360 pickup

Competitors

The Mazda R360 competed in Japan with other early kei cars such as:

• subaru 360
• Suzuki Suzulight
• Mitsubishi 500

Successor model

The R360 was succeeded by the Mazda Carol, which offered more space and more modern technology.