Mazda · 1975–1977
Mazda Roadpacer AP
The Mazda Roadpacer is a full-size sedan that was assembled by Mazda in Japan between April 1975 and 1977, although the last car was not sold until 1979. It was based on the Australian Holden HJ and HX series Premier. Premiers were shipped to Japan without engines or transmissions, and Mazda fitted a 1.3-liter 13B Wankel engine into the bay. It was the first large Japanese car to meet the 1975 emissions standards, although that was a short-lived distinction because the Nissan President followed suit a month later. In October 1975, the engine was revised to meet the 1976 emissions standards, at which time the car gained the "AP" (Anti-Pollution) moniker. The Roadpacer has the distinction of being the only General Motors product ever fitted for production with a rotary engine.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Successor: Mazda 929
All Mazda Roadpacer AP data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Design
The engine produced 135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) but just 186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) of torque, at a peaky 4,000 rpm, meaning the Roadpacer performed rather poorly as it weighed 1,575 kg (3,472 lb). The Roadpacer was introduced to compete with large Japanese flagship sedans Toyota Century, Nissan President, Isuzu Statesman de Ville, and the Mitsubishi Debonair. The Roadpacer's platform was the shorter version of the one used by Isuzu for the Statesman de Ville. Negotiations began in April 1973; the collaboration with Holden was agreed to shortly before Mazda entered into an engineering partnership with Ford. This materialized before the Roadpacer was able to go on sale but did not impact the car's introduction. The 13B produced less power than the Red series motors that powered the equivalent Holdens, and significantly less torque, meaning performance was restrained with a 165 km/h (103 mph) top speed, poor acceleration and terrible fuel consumption from the overworked engine. Contemporary reports suggest 9 mpg (26 L per 100 km). The three-speed automatic transmission with a steering column shift lever was sourced from Jatco and was shared with the LA series Mazda Luce. While the Holden HJ Premier itself was well equipped, Mazda decided to add 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 interior was offered with a choice of velour upholstered bucket seats and a center console for the front passengers or a split front bench seat, seating either five or six people accordingly. The Roadpacer was built only for the Japanese market, and certain aspects concerning its lack of speed become
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Mazda Roadpacer
- Manufacturer
- Mazda
- Production
- 1975–1977
- Class
- Full-size car
- Body style
- 4-door luxury sedan
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Platform
- Holden HQ platform
- Engine
- 1.3 L 13B Wankel
- Transmission
- 3-speed Jatco 3N71B automatic
- Related
- Holden HJ Premier
- Wheelbase
- 2830 mm
- Length
- 4850 mm
- Width
- 1885 mm
- Height
- 1465 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1575 kg
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1110235CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RoadpacerCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1339598907 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mazda-ROADPACER_01.JPGCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Taisyo · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.